If you use both Instagram and Threads, you may have noticed that mentions from Instagram Reels appear in your Threads notifications. This happens because Meta links the two services through your account. When someone tags you in an Instagram Reel comment, the mention can cross over to Threads, cluttering your activity feed. This article explains how to stop those cross-app mentions from showing in Threads by adjusting your privacy and notification settings.
Key Takeaways: Stop Instagram Reels Mentions in Threads
- Threads > Profile > Privacy > Mentions: Lets you control who can mention you in Threads, but does not block Instagram cross-posts.
- Instagram > Settings > Privacy > Mentions: Adjusting this setting stops mentions from appearing in Threads because both apps share the same mention list.
- Threads > Profile > Notifications > From Instagram: Toggle off Reels and other Instagram activity to suppress cross-app notifications without changing mention permissions.
Why Instagram Reels Mentions Appear in Threads
Threads and Instagram are built on the same account infrastructure. When your Instagram account is connected to Threads, Meta shares certain data between the two apps. Mentions from Instagram Reels comments are one type of shared data. The system treats a mention on Instagram as a mention on Threads, even though the original post exists only on Instagram.
This cross-app mention behavior is enabled by default. There is no single toggle that says “stop Instagram mentions in Threads.” Instead, you must adjust settings in both apps to block the flow. The key settings are mention permissions in Instagram and notification preferences in Threads.
How Mention Data Crosses Apps
When someone writes @yourusername in an Instagram Reel comment, Instagram records that as a mention. Because your Threads account uses the same username and profile, the mention appears in Threads as well. Meta does not separate mention types by source app. The result is that any mention on Instagram shows up in Threads activity unless you restrict who can mention you on Instagram.
Steps to Stop Instagram Reels Mentions From Showing in Threads
Follow these steps in order. The first method stops mentions at the source. The second method hides the notification without blocking the mention itself.
Method 1: Change Instagram Mention Permissions
This method prevents Instagram mentions from reaching Threads at all. It changes who can tag you in Instagram comments and captions.
- Open Instagram on your phone
Tap your profile picture in the bottom right to go to your profile. - Go to Settings
Tap the three-line menu icon in the top right, then tap Settings and privacy. - Open Privacy settings
Scroll down and tap Privacy. - Tap Mentions
Under the Interactions section, tap Mentions. - Select No One
Choose No One from the options. This stops anyone from mentioning you in Instagram comments, captions, or Reels. Existing mentions remain visible, but new ones will not appear. - Check Threads activity
Open Threads and go to your activity tab. Mentions from Instagram Reels should stop appearing after this change.
Note: Setting mentions to No One also blocks mentions from Instagram Stories and regular feed posts. If you still want to allow mentions from specific people, choose People You Follow instead. This reduces cross-app mentions but does not block them completely.
Method 2: Turn Off Instagram Notifications in Threads
This method hides the notification of an Instagram mention in Threads but does not block the mention itself. The mention still appears in your activity list.
- Open Threads on your phone
Tap your profile picture in the bottom right. - Go to Notifications settings
Tap the two-line menu icon in the top right, then tap Notifications. - Tap From Instagram
Scroll down to the section labeled From Instagram. - Toggle off Reels
Tap the toggle next to Reels to turn off notifications for Instagram Reels mentions. You can also toggle off Posts and Stories to block other cross-app activity. - Confirm the change
Exit settings. You will no longer receive push or in-app notifications for Instagram Reels mentions in Threads.
Method 2 does not remove existing mentions from your activity log. It only stops future notifications.
If Mentions Still Show After Changing Settings
In some cases, mentions may still appear due to cached data or delayed sync between apps. Try these additional steps.
Mentions From Instagram Reels Still Appear in Threads Activity
If you set Instagram mentions to No One but old mentions remain, you must clear them manually. Open Threads, tap the heart icon to view your activity, then swipe left on each mention and tap Delete. This removes the mention from your activity log. Future mentions will not appear.
Threads Shows Mentions From Before the Setting Change
Mentions created before you changed the Instagram setting are not retroactively removed. They stay in your Threads activity until you delete them. The setting only affects new mentions after the change.
Threads App Not Syncing Instagram Settings
If you changed Instagram mention permissions but Threads still shows new mentions, log out of both apps and log back in. On Instagram, go to Settings > Log out. On Threads, go to Profile > Settings (gear icon) > Log out. Wait 30 seconds, then log in again. This forces a fresh sync between the two apps.
Instagram Mentions vs Threads Mentions: Key Differences
| Item | Instagram Mentions | Threads Mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Source app | Instagram comments, captions, Reels, Stories | Threads posts and replies |
| Appears in Threads activity | Yes, by default | Yes, always |
| Controlled by | Instagram > Settings > Privacy > Mentions | Threads > Profile > Privacy > Mentions |
| Blocking method | Set to No One or People You Follow | Set to No One or People You Follow |
| Notification suppression | Not available in Instagram | Threads > Notifications > From Instagram |
Instagram mentions and Threads mentions are separate systems that share data through your linked account. Changing Instagram mention permissions stops the data from crossing over. Changing Threads notification settings only hides the alert.
Conclusion
You can stop Instagram Reels mentions from showing in Threads by setting Instagram mentions to No One or by turning off Reels notifications in Threads settings. The most effective method is changing Instagram mention permissions because it blocks the mention at the source. If you still see old mentions, delete them manually from your Threads activity log. For a complete separation, consider logging out of both apps and logging back in to force a sync.