You may have more than one Mastodon account, such as a personal profile and a work or community profile. Switching between them in the official Mastodon app is not always obvious because the app does not show a dedicated account switcher button on the home screen. This article explains the exact steps to add, remove, … Read more
When you try to join Mastodon, many instances display a message that registration is closed. This happens because instance administrators often disable open sign-ups to control server load and maintain community quality. This article explains why sign-ups are limited on many instances and lists reliable places where you can still create an account. You will … Read more
Mastodon accounts do not have a built-in blue checkmark like Twitter or Instagram. Instead, Mastodon uses a self-hosted verification method that links your profile to a personal website you control. When you add a link to your website in your Mastodon profile and place a special rel=me link back to your Mastodon profile on that … Read more
You changed your profile picture on your Mastodon home instance, but the old image still shows on other instances. This happens because Mastodon instances cache profile data locally to reduce server load. The cached data does not refresh automatically when you update your avatar. This article explains why the cache blocks the update and shows … Read more
Application access tokens allow third-party services and scripts to interact with your Mastodon account without exposing your login credentials. These tokens authenticate API requests for tasks such as posting content, reading timelines, or managing notifications from external tools. Without a token, any external app would need your email and password, which creates a security risk. … Read more
You try to log in to Mastodon and see a red banner saying your account is suspended. This notice prevents you from posting, following, or even viewing your profile. A suspension usually happens because of a specific violation of the instance’s rules, such as posting illegal content or repeated harassment. This article explains the exact … Read more
You may want to take a break from Mastodon without permanently losing your profile, followers, and posts. Deactivating your account hides your profile from public view and stops all activity, but preserves your data for later reactivation. This is different from deleting your account, which removes everything permanently after a 30-day grace period. This article … Read more
Your Mastodon profile bio can include more than a short description. Custom fields let you add links to your website, GitHub, Patreon, or other personal pages directly on your profile. Without custom fields, visitors must search for your other accounts manually. This article explains how to add custom fields to your Mastodon profile bio and … Read more
When you create a new Mastodon account, other users cannot find you by searching your display name or handle unless you adjust a specific setting. Mastodon hides accounts from search results by default to protect user privacy. This means even if your followers know your username, they may not see your profile when using the … Read more
When you sign up for a Mastodon instance and see the message “Approval Required,” your registration is not immediate. This happens because many instances use manual review to prevent spam and ensure new members fit the community. The delay can range from a few hours to several days, depending on the instance’s moderation team. This … Read more