Threads now supports the ActivityPub protocol, which means your public Threads profile can be viewed by users on Mastodon and other federated platforms. This feature, called Fediverse sharing, allows Mastodon users to follow your Threads account and see your posts inside their Mastodon web client without leaving their app. You do not need a separate Mastodon account to make this work. This article explains the exact steps to enable Fediverse sharing in Threads and how to find your profile on a Mastodon web client.
Key Takeaways: Viewing Your Threads Profile on Mastodon
- Settings > Account > Fediverse sharing: Toggle this on to make your public Threads posts visible on Mastodon and other ActivityPub servers.
- Profile > Copy link: Use the copy link option on your Threads profile to get the URL that Mastodon users can enter in their search bar.
- Mastodon search bar: Paste your Threads profile URL into the Mastodon search field to pull up your profile and posts inside the Mastodon web client.
What Is Fediverse Sharing in Threads
Fediverse sharing is a Threads setting that connects your profile to the ActivityPub network. ActivityPub is an open protocol used by Mastodon, Pixelfed, and other social platforms. When enabled, your public posts on Threads are sent to other servers that support the protocol. Mastodon users can then search for your Threads profile and view your posts directly in their Mastodon web client.
This feature does not require you to create a Mastodon account. Your Threads profile remains on Instagram’s servers, but it becomes discoverable through the federated network. Only public posts are shared; private posts and direct messages stay inside Threads. You can also control which posts appear on the fediverse by adjusting your post visibility settings before publishing.
Prerequisites for Fediverse Sharing
Before you start, confirm these requirements:
- Your Threads account must be public. Private accounts cannot use Fediverse sharing.
- Your Threads profile must be linked to an Instagram account. Threads requires an Instagram login.
- You need the latest version of the Threads app installed on your phone. Fediverse sharing is not available on the web version of Threads.
Steps to Enable Fediverse Sharing and View Your Profile on Mastodon
Follow these steps to turn on Fediverse sharing in the Threads app and then open your profile inside a Mastodon web client.
Enable Fediverse Sharing in the Threads App
- Open the Threads app on your phone
Tap the Threads icon to launch the app. Make sure you are logged into your public account. - Go to your profile
Tap the profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. It looks like a person silhouette. - Open settings
Tap the two horizontal lines icon at the top right of your profile page. Then tap the gear icon labeled Account. - Find Fediverse sharing
In the Account menu, scroll down until you see the option labeled Fediverse sharing. Tap it. - Toggle on Fediverse sharing
Tap the toggle switch next to Fediverse sharing to turn it on. A confirmation message appears. Tap Confirm to enable the feature.
Copy Your Threads Profile Link
- Return to your Threads profile
Tap the profile icon again at the bottom right. - Copy your profile link
Tap the share icon near your profile name. It looks like a square with an arrow pointing up. From the share sheet, select Copy Link. This copies your Threads profile URL to your clipboard.
View Your Profile on a Mastodon Web Client
- Open a Mastodon web client in your browser
Go to any Mastodon server’s web interface, such as mastodon.social or mastodon.online. You can also use a third-party client like Elk.zone. - Paste your Threads profile URL into the search bar
Click the search bar at the top of the Mastodon page. Press Ctrl+V or right-click and select Paste to insert your Threads profile link. Press Enter. - View your Threads profile
Mastodon will display your Threads profile with your bio, profile picture, and public posts. You can scroll through your posts or follow the profile if you have a Mastodon account.
Common Issues When Viewing Threads on Mastodon
Threads Profile Does Not Appear in Mastodon Search
If your profile does not show up after pasting the URL, wait a few minutes. Fediverse sharing can take up to 15 minutes to propagate across the network. Also confirm that Fediverse sharing is toggled on in your Threads settings. If the toggle is off, Mastodon cannot find your profile.
Only Some Posts Appear on Mastodon
Only public posts with the globe icon appear on the fediverse. Posts set to followers only or mentions only are not shared. To make a post visible on Mastodon, set its visibility to Public before publishing. You cannot change the visibility of a post after it is published.
Mastodon Users Cannot Follow Your Threads Profile
Mastodon users can view your Threads profile, but following is not guaranteed to work on all Mastodon servers. Some servers block incoming follows from Threads due to moderation policies. If a follow request fails, the user can still view your posts by bookmarking your profile URL.
Threads Profile vs Mastodon Profile: Key Differences
| Item | Threads Profile | Mastodon Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Account requirement | Requires an Instagram-linked account | Requires a Mastodon account on any server |
| Post visibility on fediverse | Only public posts are shared | All public posts are shared automatically |
| Custom domain | Profile URL is threads.net/@username | Profile URL is server.name/@username |
| Direct messages | Not supported on fediverse | Supported via ActivityPub |
| Follow management | Follows are managed inside Threads | Follows are managed inside Mastodon |
After enabling Fediverse sharing, your Threads profile becomes visible to the wider federated network. Mastodon users can find you by searching your Threads URL in their client. To test the feature, ask a friend with a Mastodon account to search for your profile and confirm they see your posts. For more control over which posts appear, use the visibility dropdown before publishing each thread.