How to Migrate From Mastodon to Threads Using Fediverse Tools

Mastodon users who want to move their social presence to Threads often find that there is no direct import or export tool between the two platforms. Threads does not yet support importing Mastodon archives, and Mastodon does not offer a one-click transfer to Threads. However, because both platforms support the ActivityPub protocol, you can use fediverse tools to migrate your followers and essential profile data. This article explains the practical steps to migrate from Mastodon to Threads using the Fediverse sharing feature and third-party tools like Fedifinder.

What Fediverse Tools Can and Cannot Do for Migration

Fediverse tools built on the ActivityPub protocol allow limited interoperability between Mastodon and Threads. Threads supports Fediverse sharing, which means your public posts on Threads can be seen by Mastodon users who follow your Threads profile. However, this feature does not transfer your Mastodon posts, direct messages, or account history to Threads. No tool currently exists that can move your entire Mastodon archive into Threads. The migration process focuses on rebuilding your presence on Threads while preserving your follower network as much as possible.

What You Can Transfer

You can transfer your follower list in a limited way. If your Mastodon followers also have Threads accounts, you can find and follow them on Threads. You can also redirect traffic from your Mastodon profile to your new Threads profile by updating your Mastodon bio. Your public posts on Threads will be visible to Mastodon users who follow you, thanks to Fediverse sharing.

What You Cannot Transfer

You cannot transfer your Mastodon posts, media attachments, direct messages, or account settings to Threads. Threads does not accept Mastodon archive imports. You must start fresh with a new Threads account. The migration is a manual process that requires you to set up your profile from scratch.

Steps to Migrate Your Followers From Mastodon to Threads

Method 1: Use Fedifinder to Find Followers on Threads

1. Install the Fedifinder browser extension
   Open your browser and go to the Fedifinder website. Click the link to install the extension for Chrome or Firefox. After installation, the Fedifinder icon appears in your browser toolbar.
2. Log into your Mastodon account
   In the same browser, sign in to your Mastodon account. Fedifinder will scan your following list and your followers list to find accounts that are also on Threads.
3. Run the Fedifinder scan
   Click the Fedifinder icon in your toolbar. The tool will display a list of Mastodon accounts that have a matching profile on Threads. It checks usernames and display names across multiple fediverse platforms.
4. Follow matched accounts on Threads
   Open Threads in a new tab. For each account shown in Fedifinder, search for that username on Threads and follow it. This step rebuilds your following list on Threads.
5. Ask your followers to follow you on Threads
   Post a message on Mastodon announcing your move to Threads. Include a link to your Threads profile. Your Mastodon followers who also use Threads can then follow you there.

Method 2: Export Your Mastodon Following List as CSV

1. Export your Mastodon data
   Go to your Mastodon account settings. Navigate to Settings > Import and export > Export. Click the button to download your following list as a CSV file. The file contains usernames and account URLs.
2. Open the CSV file in a spreadsheet
   Open the downloaded CSV file in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. You will see a column with Mastodon account handles. These are the accounts you follow on Mastodon.
3. Search for each handle on Threads
   Copy each Mastodon handle and paste it into the Threads search bar. If the user has a Threads account with the same username, their profile appears. Follow them on Threads.
4. Repeat for your followers list
   If you want your Mastodon followers to find you on Threads, download your followers list from Mastodon as a CSV. Use the same search method to find those accounts on Threads and follow them. This encourages them to follow you back.

Method 3: Enable Fediverse Sharing on Threads

1. Open Threads settings
   Open the Threads app or website. Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the two-line menu icon in the top right corner and select Settings.
2. Navigate to Account settings
   In the Settings menu, tap Account. Then tap Fediverse sharing.
3. Turn on Fediverse sharing
   Toggle the switch to enable Fediverse sharing. A confirmation dialog appears. Tap Turn on to confirm. Your public Threads posts will now be visible on Mastodon and other ActivityPub servers.
4. Share your Threads profile on Mastodon
   Copy your Threads profile URL. On Mastodon, post a message with your Threads profile link. Mastodon users who follow your Threads profile will see your Threads posts in their Mastodon feed.

Common Issues and Limitations During Migration

Mastodon Followers Do Not Have Threads Accounts

Fedifinder and CSV search only work for Mastodon users who also have Threads accounts. If your Mastodon followers do not use Threads, you cannot transfer those connections. Posting an announcement on Mastodon is the best way to inform them of your move. They can choose to follow you on Threads if they create an account.

Threads Accounts Are Not Searchable by Mastodon Handle

Threads does not support searching by Mastodon handle. You must search by the username that the person uses on Threads. If someone uses a different username on Threads than on Mastodon, you will not find them through Fedifinder or CSV matching. Manual searching by display name may help in some cases.

Fediverse Sharing Does Not Import Old Posts

Enabling Fediverse sharing on Threads only makes future public posts visible on Mastodon. Your old Mastodon posts remain on your Mastodon server. There is no way to bring those posts into Threads. You can save your Mastodon posts by exporting your archive, but you cannot import them into Threads.

Mastodon vs Threads: Migration Capabilities Compared

Item	Mastodon	Threads
Export following list	Yes, as CSV	No export option
Import following list	Yes, from CSV	No import option
Fediverse sharing	Native ActivityPub	Optional toggle
Cross-platform follower discovery	Fedifinder extension	Manual search only
Archive import	Yes, from Mastodon export	Not supported

Use Fedifinder to find your Mastodon followers on Threads. Export your Mastodon following list as a CSV to manually follow accounts on Threads. Enable Fediverse sharing in Threads settings under Profile > Privacy > Fediverse sharing so your new posts appear on Mastodon. Remember that no tool can transfer your old posts or direct messages. After migration, update your Mastodon bio with a link to your Threads profile to redirect traffic.