You have a Mastodon post pinned to your profile, but you no longer want it displayed at the top. The pinned post remains visible even as you add new content. Removing the pin does not delete the original post. This article explains how to unpin a post on Mastodon across the web interface and mobile apps.
Key Takeaways: Unpin a Mastodon Post Without Deleting It
- Post menu > Unpin: The exact option to remove a pinned post from your profile while keeping the original post intact.
- Profile settings > Pinned posts: View all your pinned posts in one place and unpin them from the profile editing screen.
- Mobile app > post three-dot menu: Access the unpin option from the same menu used to delete or edit a post on iOS and Android.
What Pinning a Post Does and How Unpinning Works
Pinning a post on Mastodon attaches it to the top of your profile page. Visitors see the pinned post before any other content you have posted. This feature is useful for announcements, important threads, or personal introductions.
When you unpin a post, Mastodon removes it from the top of your profile. The post itself remains in your timeline and on your profile in chronological order. No followers lose access to the post. The post’s replies, boosts, and favorites stay unchanged.
Unpinning works identically across all Mastodon instances because the feature is part of the core Mastodon codebase. The option appears in the post’s action menu, which is accessible from the three-dot or three-line icon on any post you authored.
Prerequisites for unpinning:
- You must be logged into your Mastodon account on the instance where you made the post.
- The post must be one that you originally authored. You cannot unpin posts from other users.
- The post must currently be pinned to your profile. If it is not pinned, the unpin option will not appear.
Steps to Unpin a Post on the Mastodon Web Interface
- Go to your profile
Click your avatar in the top navigation bar or visit your profile URL directly. Your profile displays all your posts with pinned content at the top. - Find the pinned post
Scroll to the top of your profile. The pinned post appears with a small pin icon or a “Pinned post” label above the post content. - Open the post menu
Click the three-dot icon at the bottom right of the pinned post. A dropdown menu appears with options such as Edit, Delete, and Unpin. - Select Unpin
Click the Unpin option from the menu. Mastodon immediately removes the pin from the post. The post disappears from the pinned area and reappears in your regular timeline at its original date position. - Confirm the change
Refresh your profile page or scroll down to verify the post is no longer pinned. The post remains visible in your timeline and retains all its interactions.
Steps to Unpin a Post on the Mastodon Mobile App
The Mastodon mobile app for iOS and Android uses a similar process with a slightly different interface layout.
- Open your profile
Tap the profile icon at the bottom of the app screen. Your profile page loads with your avatar and bio at the top. - Locate the pinned post
Swipe down to the top of your post list. Pinned posts display a small pin icon or a “Pinned” badge above the post text. - Tap the post action menu
Tap the three-dot icon at the bottom right of the post. A bottom sheet or popup menu appears with several options. - Choose Unpin
Tap the Unpin option from the menu. The app removes the pin instantly. The post drops back into its chronological position in your timeline. - Verify the result
Pull down to refresh your profile. Confirm that the post no longer appears at the top. The post remains accessible by scrolling to its original date.
Things to Avoid When Unpinning Mastodon Posts
Accidentally Deleting a Post Instead of Unpinning
The Delete and Unpin options appear close together in the post menu. Delete removes the post permanently, including all its replies and engagement. Always read the menu options carefully before tapping or clicking. If you delete a post by mistake, Mastodon does not provide an undo function. You can only recover it if your instance administrator has enabled post restoration.
Unpinning a Post That Is Part of a Thread
Unpinning a post that belongs to a thread does not affect the rest of the thread. The thread remains intact and visible to your followers. The pinned post simply moves to its chronological position within the thread. No other posts in the thread are unpinned or deleted.
Expecting the Unpin Option on Other Users’ Posts
You can only unpin posts that you authored. If you see a pinned post from another user on their profile, you cannot unpin it. The unpin feature is restricted to the post owner. Only the user who pinned the post can remove the pin.
Using Third-Party Mastodon Clients
Third-party Mastodon clients such as Tusky, Fedilab, or Metatext may label the unpin option differently. Look for “Unpin from profile” or “Remove from pinned” instead of the standard “Unpin” label. If you cannot find the option, switch to the official Mastodon web interface or the official mobile app to complete the action.
| Item | Unpin | Delete |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Removes the post from the pinned position on your profile | Permanently removes the post from Mastodon |
| Post visibility | Post remains in your timeline and on your profile | Post disappears from all timelines, including replies and boosts |
| Replies and engagement | All replies, favorites, and boosts remain intact | All replies and engagement are deleted |
| Recovery | No recovery needed — the post is still available | Not recoverable unless the instance admin restores it |
Unpinning a Mastodon post is a safe way to reorganize your profile without losing any content. The action is reversible: you can pin the same post again at any time by opening the post menu and selecting Pin. Use the pin and unpin features to keep your profile fresh and relevant without deleting valuable conversations.