When you use Threads, your online status is automatically linked to your Instagram account. This means people who follow you on Instagram can see when you are active on Threads, and vice versa. The feature aims to create a consistent presence across Meta platforms, but it also raises privacy concerns for users who want to control their visibility. This article explains how the online status sync works, how to adjust privacy settings, and what limitations exist.
Key Takeaways: Controlling Threads Online Status via Instagram
- Instagram > Settings > Privacy > Activity Status: Turning this off hides your online status on both Instagram and Threads simultaneously.
- Threads > Profile > Privacy > Activity Status: A separate toggle exists inside Threads, but it mirrors the Instagram setting.
- No per-platform override: You cannot be visible on Instagram but hidden on Threads, or vice versa. The setting is global across both apps.
How Threads Online Status Syncs with Instagram
Threads and Instagram share the same underlying account system. When you create a Threads profile, it is tied directly to your Instagram login. This integration extends to the activity status feature, which shows a green dot or timestamp next to your name when you are actively using either app.
The technical design treats both apps as part of the same social graph. If you are active on Threads, the system updates your status on Instagram servers. Friends who view your profile on Instagram see that you are active, even though you are not using Instagram itself. The reverse is also true: opening Instagram makes you appear active on Threads.
This behavior is intentional. Meta wants to unify the experience across its platforms so users can see when contacts are available for conversation. However, it removes the granularity of controlling visibility separately for each app. Many users find this surprising because Threads and Instagram serve different purposes: one is for text-based public conversations, the other for photo sharing and private messaging.
Steps to Control Your Online Status
You can hide your activity status from both apps using a single setting. Follow the method below to turn it off.
- Open Instagram on your phone
Launch the Instagram app. Tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner to open your profile. - Go to Settings and Privacy
Tap the three-line menu icon in the top right, then select Settings and Privacy from the menu. - Navigate to Activity Status
Scroll down to the Who can see your content section. Tap Activity Status. - Turn off Show Activity Status
Tap the toggle next to Show Activity Status so it turns gray. A confirmation pop-up may appear. Tap Turn Off to confirm.
After completing these steps, your online status will be hidden on both Instagram and Threads. No one will see a green dot or a timestamp indicating when you were last active. You will also not see the activity status of other users.
You can also access the same setting from inside Threads. Open Threads, tap your profile icon, then tap the two-line menu icon in the top right. Select Privacy, then Activity Status. The toggle here controls the same setting as Instagram. Changing it in either app updates the other instantly.
Limitations and Things to Avoid
No way to hide status on only one app
The biggest limitation is that you cannot hide your activity status on Threads while remaining visible on Instagram. The setting is global. If you want to appear offline on Threads, you must also appear offline on Instagram. This can be inconvenient if you use Instagram for business or customer support and need to show availability.
Activity status still works for direct messages
Turning off activity status hides the green dot and timestamps, but it does not affect direct message delivery. People can still send you messages on either app, and you will receive them normally. The setting only controls the visibility of your online presence, not the functionality of the apps.
Do not rely on airplane mode as a workaround
Some users try to hide their status by enabling airplane mode before opening Threads or Instagram. This prevents the app from reporting your status to the server. However, it also stops new content from loading, notifications from arriving, and messages from sending. Once you disable airplane mode, the app updates your status immediately. This is not a reliable long-term solution.
Third-party apps claiming to hide status are risky
Do not use unofficial apps or browser extensions that promise to hide your online status on Threads or Instagram. These tools often require your login credentials, which violates Meta’s terms of service. Your account could be suspended or permanently banned. The only safe way to control activity status is through the official settings in the app.
Threads Activity Status vs Instagram Activity Status
| Item | Threads | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting location | Profile > Privacy > Activity Status | Settings and Privacy > Activity Status |
| Control scope | Global across both apps | Global across both apps |
| Per-app toggle | Not available | Not available |
| Hides green dot | Yes | Yes |
| Hides last active timestamp | Yes | Yes |
| Affects direct messages | No | No |
This table shows that both apps share the same activity status feature with identical behavior. There is no way to separate the two.
To regain more granular control, consider using a separate Instagram account for Threads. Create a new Instagram profile that is not linked to your main account, then use it to log into Threads. This way, you can turn off activity status on the secondary account without affecting your primary Instagram presence. Note that you will have to rebuild your follower list on the new Threads profile.