When you use Threads with an Instagram account, your Instagram activity status may show your online presence to others. This can happen even when you are only active on Threads. The activity status setting is shared between the two apps. This article explains how to turn off the Instagram activity status so it no longer affects your Threads profile.
Key Takeaways: Stopping Instagram Activity Status From Showing in Threads
- Instagram Settings > Privacy > Activity Status: Turning this off hides your online status in both Instagram and Threads.
- Threads Settings > Privacy: No separate activity status toggle exists in Threads; the Instagram setting controls it.
- Instagram Profile > Edit Profile > Business Account: Switching to a business or creator account disables activity status automatically.
Why Instagram Activity Status Affects Threads
Threads and Instagram share the same account system. When you sign up for Threads using your Instagram login, the two apps sync certain privacy settings. One of these settings is the activity status, which shows your followers when you were last active or that you are currently online.
Instagram activity status appears in Direct Messages and in the activity feed. Threads does not have its own activity status toggle. Instead, it inherits the Instagram setting. If your Instagram activity status is on, your Threads profile may show a green dot or a “last active” timestamp to people who follow you on both platforms. This can be unwanted if you prefer to use Threads without broadcasting your online presence.
Steps to Disable Instagram Activity Status
Follow these steps to turn off the Instagram activity status. The change applies to both Instagram and Threads immediately.
- Open the Instagram app on your phone
Tap the Instagram icon to launch the app. Make sure you are logged into the account that is linked to your Threads profile. - Go to your profile
Tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. - Open the menu
Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner to open the side menu. - Tap Settings and Privacy
From the menu, select “Settings and Privacy.” This opens the main settings screen. - Tap Privacy
Scroll down and tap “Privacy” under the “How others can interact with you” section. - Tap Activity Status
Under the “Interactions” heading, tap “Activity Status.” - Turn off Show Activity Status
Toggle the switch next to “Show Activity Status” to the off position. The switch will turn gray. This hides your online status and last active time from your followers in both Instagram and Threads.
After you complete these steps, your activity status will no longer appear to anyone on Instagram or Threads. The change is applied instantly. You do not need to restart either app.
What Happens When Activity Status Is Off
When you disable activity status, the following changes occur:
- Your followers cannot see a green dot next to your profile picture in Instagram Direct Messages.
- Your followers cannot see a “last active” timestamp on your Threads profile.
- You also cannot see the activity status of other users. The feature is two-way: turning it off hides your status and prevents you from viewing others’ status.
This setting does not affect your ability to send or receive messages. It only hides the online presence indicator.
If the Setting Does Not Apply to Threads
In rare cases, the Instagram activity status setting may not sync with Threads immediately. If you still see an activity indicator on Threads after turning off the setting, try these steps:
- Force close Threads and Instagram
On iOS, swipe up from the bottom and swipe the apps away. On Android, open the recent apps menu and swipe the apps away. - Restart both apps
Open Instagram first, then open Threads. Check the activity status on your Threads profile again. - Check for app updates
Go to the App Store or Google Play Store and update both Instagram and Threads to the latest version. Old versions may not sync the setting correctly. - Log out and log back in
In Threads, go to Settings > Account > Log out. Log in again using the same Instagram account. This refreshes the synced settings.
Alternative: Switch to a Business or Creator Account
Instagram business and creator accounts do not have an activity status feature. If you switch your Instagram account to a business or creator account, the activity status is permanently disabled. This is useful if you manage a brand or public figure profile and do not want to show online status.
- Open Instagram and go to your profile
Tap the profile icon. - Tap Edit Profile
Below your bio, tap “Edit Profile.” - Tap Account Type
Scroll down and tap “Account Type.” - Tap Switch to Professional Account
Select “Business” or “Creator” and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the switch.
After switching, the activity status setting is no longer available. The change applies to both Instagram and Threads. Note that a professional account changes some other features, such as the ability to set your profile to private. Review the Instagram help center for a full list of changes before switching.
Threads vs Instagram: Activity Status Comparison
| Item | Threads | |
|---|---|---|
| Activity status toggle location | Settings > Privacy > Activity Status | Not available; inherited from Instagram |
| What it shows | Green dot and “last active” in DMs and feed | Green dot and “last active” on profile |
| Two-way privacy | Yes, hides your status and others’ status | Same as Instagram |
| Business account override | Activity status is disabled automatically | Same as Instagram |
You can now control whether your online presence shows on Threads by adjusting the Instagram activity status setting. Turn it off in Instagram Settings > Privacy > Activity Status to hide your status on both platforms. If you manage a business profile, switching to a professional account removes the feature entirely. For persistent sync issues, force close both apps or log out and back into Threads.