How to delete a Threads account without deleting Instagram

Meta’s Threads app intrigued many of us when it was launched as a competitor to Twitter (now X). But this one thing frustrated all of us — its interconnection with Instagram. At that time, you couldn’t delete your Threads account without deleting your Instagram. But luckily, that’s not the case anymore.

In this article, I’ll explain how to delete a Threads account without deleting Instagram.

What is the Instagram Threads app?

Threads is Meta’s text-based social media platform, a major competitor to X. Although we see it within our Instagram app, it’s not Instagram — it’s a different platform. 

When you click the Threads icon on your Instagram app, you’ll be prompted to install a different application from the App Store or Play Store. However, since it’s directly linked to your Instagram account, you won’t have to create a separate profile — you will be automatically connected to Threads as an Instagram user.

Here are a couple of things you can do on Threads:

• Follow the people you want;
• See public conversations;
• Check out status updates; 
• Share content, including text-based posts, photos, and videos. 

It also provides higher character limits, so you can share longer text posts with your followers. What’s best about it is that it operates without ads, which is a huge plus point because none of us want our social media experience to be ruined by unnecessary advertisements.

Is the Threads app safe?

The Threads app follows data privacy policies similar to other Meta platforms, like Instagram and Facebook. However, people are skeptical about the safety of their personal data on Threads, as Meta has a history of mishandling user data. 

Threads amplify these worries by collecting extensive information such as browsing history, user location, device details, purchase data, mouse movements, and app activity. 

A lot of people find this extensive data collection unnecessary for the app’s functionality, so it appears that the app is invading privacy. That’s a major reason why Threads took five more months to launch in the European Union compared to other locations — at first, it didn’t comply with the region’s strict privacy regulations.

However, if you want to join the platform and still protect your data, you can use a VPN for Instagram or Threads to gain extra privacy. It will encrypt your internet traffic and mask your real IP address, making it difficult for hackers or third parties to track your online activity. 

How to deactivate or delete your Threads account

Previously, Meta didn’t provide a separate delete option for Threads without losing Instagram. However, after much user demand, Meta provided the option to delete and deactivate your Threads profile, depending on your preference, without affecting your Instagram account.

To delete your Threads account permanently:

1. Open the Threads app and tap the profile icon at the bottom right.
2. Go to settings by clicking the two-line menu in the top-right corner.
3. Select Account, then head over to the Deactivate or delete profile option.
4. Now, select the Delete profile option and enter your Instagram password for confirmation.

This deletion is irreversible after 30 days. If you log in within that period, the profile can be restored.

If you only want to take a break from Threads, instead of deleting your account, you can deactivate it — temporarily remove Threads. After deactivation, your profile, posts, and followers will be hidden from public view, but you can reactivate it whenever you want.

To temporarily deactivate your Threads profile:

1. Open the Threads app and tap your profile icon in the bottom-right corner.
2. Open account settings by clicking the two dashes at the top-right.
3. Select Account and go to the Deactivate or delete profile option.
4. Choose Deactivate profile and confirm your choice when the prompt Are you sure appears.

Your profile will then be hidden, and you can log back in anytime to reactivate your Threads account.

Enjoy safe social media usage with Surfshark

While Threads offers a good alternative to X with its features and Instagram integration, you should carefully weigh the platform’s extensive data collection practices. To avoid data leak issues, use a reliable VPN like Surfshark and improve your privacy when using social media or browsing online. This will secure your personal information, even when using multiple social platforms.

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