Article

Do You Need Instagram to Use Threads?

Jun 8, 2026 · 1 min read

Short answer: to post on Threads, yes — accounts are created from an Instagram login. To browse public profiles, no. Here’s the full picture.

Creating a Threads account

Threads sign-up runs through Instagram: your handle, name, and verification badge carry over, and deleting the Instagram account affects the Threads one. That’s also why almost every creator has the same username on both apps — if you know someone’s Instagram handle, you know their Threads handle.

Browsing without any account

The Threads app and website push logged-out visitors to sign in, but public profiles are still public. ThreadLook shows any public profile’s followers, bio, and recent posts with no Instagram and no Threads account at all — try @mosseri. For the details, see our guide to viewing Threads without an account.

What carries over from Instagram

Username, display name, and profile photo
Verified status
Optionally, the accounts you follow

Follower counts do not carry over — a creator with 100M Instagram followers may have a fraction of that on Threads. Check the real numbers on the most-followed Threads accounts leaderboard.

Frequently asked questions

Can you browse Threads without an Instagram or Threads account?

Yes — the Threads app and website push logged-out visitors to sign in, but public profiles are still public, and a tool like ThreadLook shows any public profile's followers, bio, and recent posts with no account of any kind.

How does Threads account creation relate to Instagram?

Threads sign-up runs through an Instagram login, so your handle, display name, and verification badge carry over from Instagram to Threads.

Do Threads and Instagram use the same username?

Almost always — because Threads accounts are created from Instagram, most creators keep the same username on both apps, so knowing one tells you the other.

Do Instagram follower counts carry over to Threads?

No — follower counts do not carry over; a creator with 100 million Instagram followers may have only a fraction of that on Threads, so check the real numbers on the most-followed Threads accounts leaderboard.