Increasingly, yes. Threads started as an Instagram add-on, but Meta has been cutting the cord step by step. Depending on where you live and your app version, you can sign up with an email or phone number or a Facebook account, read Threads without any account, or keep using an Instagram login and delete Threads whenever you like. Here's what's possible now and which option suits you.
Yes - for many people, you can now use Threads without Instagram. Meta has rolled out ways to create a standalone Threads profile with an email address or phone number, and has tested signing up with Facebook. These options depend on your region and app version, so check what your sign-up screen offers. If you only see "Continue with Instagram", you can still read public Threads posts on threads.com without an account, or make a new Instagram account just to log in. Either way, you can delete or deactivate Threads at any time without touching Instagram.
From reading without an account to a fully separate profile.
Open threads.com in a browser to view public profiles and posts - no login needed. You can't post, like or reply.
Create a standalone Threads profile with its own username and password. First tested in the EU in 2025.
Use your Facebook login instead of Instagram. Meta has been testing this since mid-2025.
On Mastodon or other fediverse apps, you can follow Threads profiles that turned on fediverse sharing.
Create a new, private Instagram account just to log in, then build your Threads profile separately.
Sign in with Instagram, write a Threads-only bio, and deactivate or delete Threads later without touching Instagram.
Answer three questions for a recommendation and the next steps.
Choose the option your sign-up screen shows. If you don't see it yet, it hasn't reached your account or region.
| 📷 Linked to Instagram | 🧵 Standalone profile | |
|---|---|---|
| How you sign up | Continue with Instagram | Email, phone or Facebook (where available) |
| Username | Usually matches your Instagram username | Your own choice |
| Followers & follows | Can follow the same people you follow on Instagram | Start from zero |
| Password & login | Your Instagram login | Its own login |
| What shapes your feed | Your Threads activity (and some Instagram signals) | Your Threads activity |
| Messages | Threads messages (separate from Instagram DMs) | Threads messages |
| Delete or deactivate | Separately, any time | Any time |
| Run ads | Yes | Yes - from Sept 2026, rolling out |
| Best for | Bringing an existing audience over | Privacy, a fresh start, or no Instagram |
Starting fresh? Our 30-day growth plan is built for new profiles with zero followers.
You don't have to delete Instagram to step back from Threads - or the other way round.
Hide your Threads profile temporarily. Settings → Account → Deactivate or delete profile. Log back in to come back.
Settings → Account → Deactivate or delete profile → Delete. Your Instagram account stays as it is.
Some people see this option in their account settings. It replaces your current profile with a standalone one - posts and followers don't move over.
Keep the Instagram login but write a Threads-only bio, links and interests, and unfollow anyone you only know from Instagram.
Before you delete or start over, download a copy of your Threads data (look for Download your information in your account settings). Deleting a Threads profile can't be undone after the waiting period.
You need an Instagram account to sign up, and deleting Threads means deleting Instagram.
You can now deactivate or delete your Threads profile without affecting Instagram.
Your Instagram follows no longer decide your first Threads recommendations.
Selected EU users can create a Threads profile with an email or phone number and their own username.
Meta tests signing up for Threads with a Facebook account.
Threads DMs launch separately from Instagram, and a "Use Threads without Instagram" setting appears for some users.
Businesses can advertise from a Threads-only profile, and matching usernames are no longer required.