How to Use the Federated Profile URL for Your Threads Account

Threads now supports the ActivityPub protocol, which lets your public posts reach users on Mastodon and other federated platforms. A key part of this feature is the federated profile URL, a special web address that points to your Threads account from within the fediverse. Without this URL, other fediverse users cannot find or follow you directly. This article explains what the federated profile URL is, how to locate it, and how to share it so people on other servers can subscribe to your Threads updates.

What Is a Federated Profile URL and Why You Need It

A federated profile URL is a web address that identifies your Threads account on the broader fediverse. When you enable Fediverse sharing, your public posts are broadcast to ActivityPub-compatible servers such as Mastodon, Pixelfed, and PeerTube. Other users on those platforms can follow your account using your federated handle, which is formatted like @username@threads.net. This handle functions like an email address for the fediverse: it tells other servers exactly where to find your content.

The federated profile URL is essential if you want to grow your audience beyond the Threads app itself. For example, a Mastodon user can search for your handle and start seeing your posts in their home feed without ever opening Threads. The URL also lets you link your account from a personal website or social media bio so that fediverse users can discover you.

Prerequisites for Using the Federated Profile URL

Before you can share your federated profile URL, you must meet these requirements:

• A public Threads account. Private accounts cannot federate.
• Fediverse sharing enabled in your Threads privacy settings.
• Your Threads app updated to the latest version (the feature rolled out in mid-2024).

Steps to Find and Share Your Federated Profile URL

Follow these steps to locate your federated profile URL and share it with users on other fediverse platforms.

1. Open Threads and go to your profile
   Tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner of the app to open your profile page.
2. Access the privacy settings
   Tap the two horizontal lines icon in the top-right corner, then select Settings. In the Settings menu, tap Privacy.
3. Enable Fediverse sharing
   Under the Privacy section, tap Fediverse sharing. Toggle the switch to On. A confirmation dialog appears — tap Turn On to confirm.
4. Copy your federated handle
   After enabling the feature, tap the Copy handle button that appears. This copies your handle in the format @username@threads.net to your clipboard.
5. Share the handle on other platforms
   Paste the handle into a post on Mastodon, a bio on Bluesky, or a link on your website. For example, you can write: “Follow my Threads posts on the fediverse: @username@threads.net.” Users on Mastodon can click or search for this handle to follow your account.

Common Mistakes and Limitations

Fediverse sharing toggle is grayed out

This happens if your Threads account is set to private. Switch your account to public in Settings > Privacy > Private profile to enable the toggle.

Other users cannot find your handle

The fediverse is not instant. After enabling sharing, it can take up to 24 hours for your account to appear on remote servers. Also, ensure you shared the correct handle format — use @username@threads.net, not the Threads app URL.

You cannot follow accounts from other fediverse platforms

Threads currently supports outgoing federation only. You can share your posts to the fediverse, but you cannot follow Mastodon or Pixelfed accounts from within Threads. To follow external accounts, use a separate Mastodon client or web interface.

Threads Federated Profile URL vs Standard Threads URL

Item	Federated Profile URL	Standard Threads URL
Format	@username@threads.net	https://www.threads.net/@username
Used by	Mastodon, Pixelfed, and other ActivityPub servers	Web browsers and the Threads app
Requires Fediverse sharing enabled	Yes	No
Allows following from other platforms	Yes	No (only opens the profile in a browser)
Can be posted on other social networks	Yes, as a clickable handle	Yes, as a hyperlink

You now know how to locate and share your Threads federated profile URL. Use the handle @username@threads.net in your Mastodon bio or on your personal site to attract followers from the broader fediverse. For best results, keep your Threads account public and leave Fediverse sharing enabled. If you post from multiple fediverse accounts, consider using a service like FediFollows to cross-post your Threads content automatically.