How to Delete Threads Without Deleting Instagram

Did you excitedly sign up for Threads the moment it launched? Or maybe your favorite Twitter users said they were moving to Threads, so you followed. If you're like millions of other users, Meta's Twitter alternative might not have been the social media oasis you were looking for. Now, you want to delete Threads without deleting Instagram.

The problem is, you can't quite seem to find the "delete" button anywhere. That's because Meta (the parent company of Instagram, Facebook, Threads, etc) doesn't want you to. After all, if users can't delete the profiles, then Threads' numbers don't decline.

Can I Really Not Delete My Threads Account?

At the time of writing, there is only one way to delete a Threads account. You must delete Instagram as well. Meta is betting on the fact you're already an Instagram user and don't want to delete both.

Admittedly, it's a good bet. I've already read reviews and seen complaints from thousands of users lamenting the fact that they don't want to start over on Instagram just to get rid of Threads. So, they end up keeping both, hoping Threads will get better.

Right now, Threads has a lot of issues, but I guess at least the app has a better name than X. Seriously, the little blue bird was so much cuter and made more sense. Sure, there are supposed to be benefits to the rebranding, but naturally, that's yet to be seen among the numerous missteps Musk has made thus far.

Yet, Zuckerberg thinking it's a good idea to not let users delete their account is a major faux paus. Users should always have the right to delete their account on any site or app they want without it deleting another account.

How Can I Leave Threads?

You have two options:

1. The nuclear approach - Delete your Instagram account.

2. Deactivate Threads - Keep Instagram, but hide your account on Threads.

If you created an Instagram account just to use Threads, do the following to delete both at once:

1. Open Instagram and tap your profile name.
2. Click the three line menu at the top right.
3. Tap Settings and privacy.
4. Tap Accounts Center.
5. Tap Personal details.
6. Tap Account ownership and control.
7. Tap Deactivation or deletion.
8. Tap the user name you want to delete.
9. Choose Delete account and tap Continue.

Your account will be deleted in 30 days. If you sign back in before then, it reactivates your account.

If you want to keep Instagram, here's how to deactivate your Threads account:

1. Open Threads and tap your profile icon.
2. Tap the menu icon in the top right corner.
3. Tap Account.
4. Tap Deactivate profile.
5. Tap Deactivate Threads profile to confirm.

If successful, you'll be sent back to the login screen. If you ever log back in, your account is reactivated. While your Threads account is deactivated, your profile and activity is hidden. No one can see you or message you. However, all your information is still stored so it can be restored when you reactivate your account.

Will This Ever Change?

This is just one of many features Threads users are demanding. Between this and a feed filled with random users you don't follow, the platform is having a hard time competing. That's probably why the daily active users have dropped by half in the first week after the launch.

Personally, I think adding a following feed will make a major difference and make the platform more competitive. Or, take my approach and just quit social media. I've found reading and socializing on writing platforms like Vocal to be much more rewarding.

What do you think about Threads? Is it a worthy Twitter/X competitor? Or, is it time for some innovative creator to give the world a much better social network that's actually worth our time?