New to Threads? This guide takes you from download to your first conversation. Follow the first-day checklist, take a tour of the app, practise writing a post, and learn the Threads words people use. Every step links to a detailed guide.
Made by Meta's Instagram team and launched in July 2023, for short posts and public conversations.
Use the app on iPhone or Android, or go to threads.com on a computer.
More than 500 million people use Threads every month (June 2026).
Reply, repost and quote to join in. Topic tags and Communities help you find your people.
Work down the list. Tick each step as you go - your progress is saved in this browser.
Get it from the App Store or Google Play, or open threads.com on a computer.
Download guide →Most people use their Instagram account. Other sign-up options are rolling out in some places.
Login guide →Add a photo, a clear bio and up to five links so people know why to follow you.
Profile setup →Follow 20–30 accounts you like and add a custom feed for a topic you care about.
Custom feeds →Decide on a public or private profile, and who can reply to and mention you.
Privacy settings →Say who you are and what you'll post about - and end with a question.
Practise below →Leave thoughtful replies on posts you enjoy. It's the fastest way to meet people.
Growth plan →Keep the alerts that matter (replies, mentions) and switch off the rest.
Notifications →Tap a part of the app to see what it does. Icons and layout can vary a little by version and device.
Write it here first. The preview shows roughly how it will look, and the tips update as you type. Nothing is posted.
Up to 500 characters.
Up to 20 photos and videos in one post.
Ask people to vote.
Text posts that disappear after 24 hours.
Set these up once and Threads gets much calmer.
Only followers you approve see your posts.
Limit replies to followers or people you mention.
Choose who can @mention you.
Hide replies with words or phrases you choose.
Stop someone contacting you, limit them quietly, or just hide their posts.
Report posts, replies or accounts that break the rules.
Step-by-step settings: Threads privacy settings · notification settings