Threads allows you to turn on notifications for specific accounts so you never miss a post from your favorite creators, news sources, or friends. By default, Threads does not alert you about every new post from every account you follow. The bell icon on a profile page lets you override this default and receive push notifications whenever that account publishes something new. This walkthrough explains how to find and use the bell icon for per-account post alerts on both the mobile app and the web version of Threads.
You might see the bell icon in different states: a filled bell means notifications are on, a crossed-out bell means notifications are off, and a bell with a plus sign means you have not yet set a preference. The process is the same whether you use an iPhone, an Android device, or a desktop browser. This guide covers the exact steps for each platform and explains what happens after you enable the alert.
After completing the setup, you will receive a push notification each time the selected account posts. You can also turn off the alert at any time with the same bell icon. This article also covers common issues such as missing bell icons and notification delivery delays.
Key Takeaways: How to Set Up Per-Account Post Alerts in Threads
- Profile bell icon: Tap or click the bell icon on any account profile to toggle notifications for that account
- Three bell states: Filled bell (on), crossed-out bell (off), bell with plus (not yet configured)
- Global notification settings: Must have Threads push notifications enabled in your device settings for per-account alerts to work
What the Bell Icon Does in Threads
The bell icon on an account profile page controls post notifications for that specific account only. It does not affect notifications for replies, likes, or follows from that account. When you enable the bell, Threads sends a push notification to your device each time that account publishes a new post. This feature works independently of the account’s own notification settings.
The bell icon has three visual states:
- Bell with plus sign: You have not set a notification preference for this account. This is the default state for all accounts you follow.
- Filled bell: Notifications are enabled. You will receive alerts for new posts from this account.
- Crossed-out bell: Notifications are disabled. You will not receive alerts for new posts from this account.
The bell icon is visible on any account profile, including accounts you do not follow. However, you must follow an account to receive its posts in your feed. The bell icon only controls notifications, not visibility in your timeline.
Before you can receive per-account alerts, your device must allow push notifications from Threads. On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > Threads and enable Allow Notifications. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Threads > Notifications and turn on All Threads notifications. On the web, Threads sends notifications through the browser. You must allow notifications for threads.net in your browser settings.
Steps to Enable the Bell Icon for an Account in the Threads Mobile App
These steps apply to the Threads app on iPhone and Android. The interface is identical on both platforms.
- Open the Threads app and go to the profile of the account
Tap the profile picture or username of the account you want to receive alerts from. You can find the account by searching in the search tab or by tapping a username in your feed. - Locate the bell icon on the profile page
The bell icon sits to the right of the Following button, below the account name and bio. If the bell shows a plus sign, notifications are not yet configured. - Tap the bell icon once
Tap the bell with the plus sign. The icon changes to a filled bell. This confirms that notifications for new posts from this account are now active. - Verify the change
The bell icon now appears filled. You can tap it again to turn off notifications. When you turn off notifications, the bell shows a crossed-out state.
After you enable the bell, Threads will send a push notification each time the account posts. There is no confirmation message or pop-up. The only indication is the change in the bell icon.
Steps to Enable the Bell Icon for an Account on Threads Web
The web version of Threads at threads.net offers the same bell icon functionality. The layout is slightly different from the mobile app.
- Open threads.net in your browser and log in
Navigate to the profile of the account you want to follow for alerts. Click the username or search for the account using the search bar at the top of the page. - Find the bell icon next to the Following button
On the web, the bell icon appears directly to the right of the Following button, which is located below the account name and bio. The icon is the same size as on mobile. - Click the bell icon
If the bell shows a plus sign, click it once. The icon changes to a filled bell. This enables notifications for new posts from this account. - Confirm the change
The bell icon now appears filled. Click it again to disable notifications. When disabled, the bell shows a crossed-out state.
Browser notifications must be enabled for threads.net. On Chrome, click the lock icon in the address bar, then select Notifications > Allow. On Safari, go to Safari > Settings > Websites > Notifications and set threads.net to Allow. On Firefox, click the lock icon, then click Notifications and select Allow.
What Happens After You Enable the Bell Icon
Once you enable the bell icon for an account, Threads sends a push notification to your device within seconds of that account posting. The notification appears on your lock screen or in your notification center. It includes the account name and the first few words of the post.
The per-account notification setting persists until you manually change it. It does not reset when you unfollow the account. If you unfollow an account and later follow it again, the bell icon returns to the plus state. You must re-enable notifications.
You can enable the bell icon for as many accounts as you want. There is no limit. Each account you enable will trigger a separate notification for each new post.
Common Issues and Things to Avoid
Bell Icon Is Missing From the Profile Page
If you do not see the bell icon on a profile, you may be viewing your own profile. The bell icon only appears on other accounts. You cannot set notifications for your own posts. If the bell icon is missing on another account, update the Threads app to the latest version. On the web, clear your browser cache and reload the page.
Notifications Do Not Arrive After Enabling the Bell
If you enabled the bell but do not receive notifications, check your device’s global notification settings for Threads. On iPhone, open Settings > Notifications > Threads and verify that Allow Notifications is on. On Android, open Settings > Apps > Threads > Notifications and enable all notification categories. On web, ensure browser notifications are allowed for threads.net.
Notifications Arrive for Some Accounts but Not Others
This usually means the bell icon is enabled for the accounts that send notifications and disabled for the accounts that do not. Go back to each profile and check the bell icon state. Tap the bell if it shows a crossed-out or plus state.
Notifications Stop After a Few Days
Threads does not automatically disable per-account notifications. If notifications stop, your device may have battery optimization or do not disturb mode blocking them. On Android, check Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization and set Threads to Not Optimized. On iPhone, check Focus modes and ensure Threads is allowed.
Threads Bell Icon vs Instagram Post Notifications
| Item | Threads Bell Icon | Instagram Post Notifications |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Profile page, next to Following button | Profile page, next to Following button |
| Notification trigger | New posts only | New posts, stories, or reels |
| Default state | Not configured (bell with plus) | Not configured (bell with plus) |
| Persists after unfollow | No, resets to plus | No, resets to plus |
| Platform availability | Mobile app and web | Mobile app only |
The bell icon works similarly on both platforms, but Threads supports the web version while Instagram does not. Instagram post notifications also cover stories and reels, whereas Threads notifications cover only posts.
You can now set up per-account post alerts for any Threads account using the bell icon on the profile page. Start by enabling the bell for your most important accounts so you receive immediate notifications when they post. If you manage a business account, consider enabling the bell for competitor accounts to monitor their activity. For a more advanced setup, combine per-account alerts with Threads’ quiet mode to receive notifications only during specific hours.