Threads is a text-based conversation app developed by Meta. The new app has amassed millions of users since its launch today. The social media app is Instagram’s attempt to rival Twitter and appears to be doing very well on its first day live.
So far over 10 million people have signed up for Threads. As reported by TechCrunch “the pace to 10 million makes Threads the fastest-growing consumer offering.” It’s already listed as “#1 in Social Networking” in the Apple app store.
If you’ve signed up and have already decided it’s not the app for you, we have some bad news: The only way to delete your Threads account is to delete your Instagram account as well.
“You may deactivate your Threads profile at any time, but your Threads profile can only be deleted by deleting your Instagram account,” Meta says in a Supplemental Privacy Policy. The policy also states if you want to change your Threads username, you’ll need to change it on Instagram, too.
This may be a temporary glitch or a “feature” to keep numbers up while the app is still in its early day(s) of going live. Either way, the company is aware of the issue and has addressed the frustration some users felt.
Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, posted earlier today saying:
“I’ve been getting some questions about deleting your account. To clarify, you can deactivate your Threads account, which hides your Threads profile and content, you can set your profile to private, and you can delete individual Threads posts – all without deleting your Instagram account. Threads is powered by Instagram, so right now it’s just one account, but we’re looking into a way to delete your Threads account separately.”
If you want to join the ranks but aren’t certain you’ll stick around, I’d advise creating a new Instagram account if you’re super attached to your current one.