Threads Followers-Only Notification Filter: Where to Configure

Threads users often receive unwanted notifications from people they do not follow, such as likes, replies, or reposts from strangers. This happens because the default notification settings include activity from all Threads users, not just accounts you follow. The Followers-Only notification filter lets you limit alerts to interactions from people you follow, reducing noise and focusing on relevant engagement. This article explains where to find this filter, how to turn it on for each notification type, and what to do if the setting does not apply correctly.

What the Followers-Only Notification Filter Does on Threads

The Followers-Only notification filter is a per-category toggle in the Threads notification settings. When enabled for a specific notification type, such as Likes or Replies, the app will only send you alerts when the action comes from an account that you follow. If the filter is off, you receive notifications from all Threads users, including accounts you do not follow.

This filter applies to the following notification categories:

• Likes on your posts
• Replies to your posts
• Reposts of your posts
• Quotes of your posts
• Mentions of your username
• New followers

You must configure each category separately. There is no master toggle that applies the filter to all categories at once. The setting is saved to your Threads account and syncs across devices running the same Instagram-linked account.

Prerequisites

Before you can use the Followers-Only filter, you need:

• A Threads account linked to an Instagram profile
• The latest version of the Threads app installed on iOS or Android
• At least one post on your Threads profile (the filter only affects interactions on your content)

Steps to Turn On the Followers-Only Notification Filter

Follow these steps to enable the filter for each notification category you want to restrict.

1. Open the Threads app and go to your Profile
   Tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner of the screen. This opens your profile page.
2. Tap the two-line menu icon in the top-right corner
   This icon is located next to your profile name and bio. It opens the settings and activity menu.
3. Select Notifications
   In the menu that appears, tap Notifications. The notification settings screen loads.
4. Choose a notification category
   Under the section labeled Posts and Activity, you see categories like Likes, Replies, Reposts, Quotes, Mentions, and Followers. Tap the category you want to adjust.
5. Enable the Followers and Following toggle
   On the category detail screen, look for the option titled Followers and Following. Tap the toggle to turn it on. The toggle turns blue when active.
6. Repeat for each category you want to filter
   Go back to the Notifications list and repeat steps 4 and 5 for each category. There is no bulk-select option.

Once enabled, you stop receiving push notifications and in-app alerts from accounts you do not follow for that specific interaction type. Existing alerts in your notification inbox are not removed; only new ones are filtered.

What the Verified Accounts Toggle Does

Each category also has a Verified Accounts toggle. When you turn this on, Threads sends you notifications only from verified users, even if you do not follow them. This toggle overrides the Followers and Following filter. If both toggles are on, you only receive notifications from verified accounts you follow.

Common Issues and Edge Cases With the Followers-Only Filter

Threads Notification Filter Toggle Is Grayed Out

If the Followers and Following toggle appears grayed out, you cannot tap it. This usually happens when your Threads account is brand new or if you have not posted any content. Create at least one post and wait for a few minutes, then reopen the settings. The toggle should become active.

Notifications From People I Follow Still Show Up From Strangers

If you enabled the filter but still receive notifications from accounts you do not follow, check whether the Verified Accounts toggle is also on. When Verified Accounts is enabled, Threads sends notifications from any verified user regardless of follow status. To stop this, turn off the Verified Accounts toggle for that category.

Filter Does Not Apply to Direct Messages

The Followers-Only filter does not affect Direct Message notifications. Threads DMs are managed separately under Profile > Notifications > Messages. If you want to limit message requests, you must adjust the Message Requests setting in that section.

Changes Do Not Sync Across Devices

If you toggle the filter on your phone but still get unfiltered notifications on your tablet, force-close the Threads app on both devices and reopen it. The settings sync through your Instagram-linked account, but the app may cache old preferences. A restart forces a refresh.

Threads Followers-Only Filter vs Instagram Notification Controls

Item	Threads Followers-Only Filter	Instagram Notification Controls
Scope	Applies only to Threads notifications	Applies only to Instagram notifications
Per-category toggles	Yes, each interaction type has its own toggle	Yes, but categories differ (Stories, Live, etc)
Master toggle	No, must set each category individually	No, must set each category individually
Verified override	Yes, Verified toggle overrides Followers-Only	No equivalent toggle on Instagram
Syncs across devices	Yes, via Instagram-linked account	Yes, via Instagram account

The main difference is the Verified Accounts override on Threads, which does not exist on Instagram. If you want identical behavior on both apps, you must configure each separately.

With the Followers-Only filter enabled for the categories that matter most to you, your Threads notification inbox will show only interactions from accounts you follow. Check the Verified toggle on each category to make sure it is not overriding your filter. Try turning on the filter for Replies and Mentions first, as those tend to generate the most noise from strangers.