Threads, Instagram’s Twitter rival, has launched. Like, officially. We’ve spent most of our morning on Instagram’s very own Twitter clone, creating an official profile and scrolling through the hundreds of “Threads just launched” memes that are currently all the platform is good for.
Despite that, we’ve yet to become disenchanted with Threads (never say never). But for those that have already given up on the Twitter alternative, listen up: deleting a Threads profile will also delete the linked Instagram account. No, we’re not joking. And neither is Instagram.
Handle with care
That’s because of Threads’ intrinsic links to Instagram, which requires every user to have an Instagram account before they can sign up for the new social media. When Instagram called Threads “Instagram’s text-based conversation app,” it took the connection a little seriously.
If you’re looking to test out Threads (and subsequently delete it), you’ll have to settle for “temporarily” deactivating your Threads profile. Direct your thanks to Meta, which apparently doesn’t handle rejection well. Instagram outlined the policy in Threads’ privacy policy, which ‘clearly’ states: “You may deactivate your Threads profile at any time, but your Threads profile can only be deleted by deleting your Instagram account.”
Read More: Threads, Instagram’s Twitter rival, has launched – here’s what we think so far
If you’ve already made your Threads account, it’s unfortunately too late. The only way to not have a presence on Threads is by not having a presence on Threads, unfortunately. If you’re one of the ten million or so users that have already signed up to the platform and you want out, you’ll have to settle for the only option available to you: temporary deactivation.
Here’s how you can temporarily deactivate your new profile:
- Open the Threads app, and open your profile at the bottom-right of your screen.
- Click settings (disguised as a two-line symbol) at the top-right of your screen.
- Click ‘Account’.
- Tap ‘Deactivate profile’
- Follow it up by clicking ‘Deactivate Thread profile’ and follow the prompts.
Should your account enter temporary limbo, Threads says that it’ll automatically hide the profile from the site, stop the profile from showing up in search and hide any likes, threads, and replies attached to it. Logging back into a deactivated account will automatically reactivate it.