Threads shows replies to a post in a default order that may not always match your preference. You might want to see the most popular replies first to catch the best responses quickly. Other times you need the newest replies to follow a live conversation. This article explains how to switch between the Most Liked and Newest sort options for replies in the Threads app. You will learn the exact steps to change the sort order and understand what each option does.
Key Takeaways: Sorting Replies in Threads
- Post > Sort button: Tap the sort icon (two horizontal lines with dots) on any post to switch between Most Liked and Newest.
- Most Liked: Shows replies with the highest number of likes first, useful for seeing the most popular or best responses.
- Newest: Shows the most recent replies first, ideal for following ongoing discussions or live events.
How Reply Sorting Works in Threads
Threads sorts replies to a post based on an algorithm that considers likes, recency, and other engagement signals. The default view is designed to show what the system considers the most relevant replies. However, you can override this default by choosing a specific sort order. The two options are Most Liked and Newest. Most Liked displays replies with the highest like count at the top. Newest displays replies in reverse chronological order, with the most recent reply at the top.
No special permissions or settings are required to use this feature. It works on all public posts and most private posts from accounts you follow. The sort setting applies only to the current post you are viewing. When you scroll to a different post, the sort order resets to the default. This means you must select the sort option for each post individually.
Steps to Change Reply Sort Order on Threads
The sort button appears on every post that has replies. Follow these steps to switch between Most Liked and Newest.
- Open the Threads app on your phone
Launch the Threads app on your iOS or Android device. Make sure you are signed in to your account. - Navigate to a post with replies
Scroll through your feed or search for a specific post. The sort button is only visible on posts that have at least one reply. - Tap the sort icon below the post
Look for the icon that looks like two horizontal lines with dots on the left side. It is located directly below the post text, to the left of the Like, Reply, Repost, and Share buttons. - Select your preferred sort order
A menu appears with two options: Most Liked and Newest. Tap the option you want. The replies immediately reorder based on your selection. - Confirm the updated reply order
Scroll through the replies to verify they are now sorted as you chose. If you selected Most Liked, the top reply has the highest like count. If you selected Newest, the top reply is the most recent.
The sort order stays active for that post until you leave the post or refresh the feed. When you return to the same post later, the sort order resets to the default. You must repeat the steps each time you want a different sort order for a specific post.
Common Issues and Limitations
Sort button not visible on a post
The sort button only appears on posts that have at least one reply. If a post has zero replies, the button is hidden. Tap Reply on the post to add the first reply, but the sort button will only appear after at least one other person replies. Also, posts that are from accounts that have blocked you or set their replies to followers only may not show the sort button.
Sort order reverts after leaving the post
Threads does not save your sort preference for individual posts. Each time you open a post, the replies appear in the default order. This is by design. If you want to see the same post sorted by Most Liked every time, you must tap the sort button again each time you view that post. There is no global setting to change the default sort order for all posts.
Sort options limited to two choices
Threads currently only offers Most Liked and Newest. There is no option to sort by oldest first or by reply count. If you need to see replies in a different order, you must manually scroll through the default view. The platform may add more sort options in future updates.
Most Liked vs Newest: Sorting Options Compared
| Feature | Most Liked | Newest |
|---|---|---|
| Order criteria | Highest like count first | Most recent reply first |
| Best use case | Finding popular or high-quality responses | Following a live conversation or breaking news thread |
| Persistence | Resets when leaving the post | Resets when leaving the post |
| Visibility of old replies | Older replies may appear if they have many likes | Older replies are pushed to the bottom |
| Impact on engagement | Encourages liking replies to boost visibility | Encourages quick replies to stay visible |
Both sorting options are available on every post with replies. The choice depends on whether you want to see the crowd’s favorites or the latest additions to the discussion.
You can now switch between Most Liked and Newest replies on any Threads post using the sort button below the post. Try using Most Liked when you want to quickly catch the best responses in a long thread. Use Newest when you are following a live event or a conversation that is still active. For a faster workflow, remember that the sort button is always in the same spot below the post text, so you can tap it without scrolling.