You want to see your Threads posts on Mastodon from an outside server. Threads uses the ActivityPub protocol to share public posts with Mastodon and other federated services. When federation is enabled, any public post you make on Threads can be seen by Mastodon users who follow your profile. This article explains how to enable this feature and how to view your posts on a Mastodon server.
Key Takeaways: Viewing Threads Posts on Mastodon
- Profile > Privacy > Fediverse sharing: Enable this setting to allow your public Threads posts to appear on Mastodon and other ActivityPub servers.
- Public post requirement: Only posts set to “Anyone” (public) are shared; private or followers-only posts are not visible on Mastodon.
- Mastodon search by Threads username: On any Mastodon server, search for your full Threads handle (e.g., @username@threads.net) to see your public posts.
What Is Fediverse Sharing and How It Works
Fediverse sharing is a feature that connects Threads to the ActivityPub network. This network includes Mastodon, PeerTube, and other services that support the ActivityPub protocol. When you enable Fediverse sharing, your public Threads posts are sent to your followers on other ActivityPub servers. Those servers then display your posts in their timelines.
To use this feature, you need a Threads account that is linked to an Instagram account. There are no additional fees or separate sign-ups. The feature is turned off by default and must be enabled in your Threads privacy settings.
What Happens When Fediverse Sharing Is On
When Fediverse sharing is active, your public posts are sent to any ActivityPub server that has a user following your Threads profile. For example, if a Mastodon user follows @yourname@threads.net, your public posts appear in that user’s home feed. The posts include your Threads username and a link back to the original post on Threads.
What Happens When Fediverse Sharing Is Off
With Fediverse sharing disabled, your posts stay inside Threads. No Mastodon server can receive your posts, even if users search for your handle. Replies from Mastodon users to your posts will not appear in Threads either.
Steps to Enable Fediverse Sharing and View Posts on Mastodon
Follow these steps to turn on Fediverse sharing and then find your posts on a Mastodon server. You must complete the first step on the Threads mobile app or the web version.
Enable Fediverse Sharing in Threads
- Open the Threads app or website
On your phone, launch the Threads app. On a computer, go to threads.net and log in with your Instagram credentials. - Go to your profile
Tap the profile icon in the bottom-right corner of the app. On the web, click your profile picture in the top-right corner. - Open Settings
Tap the two horizontal lines in the top-right corner of the profile screen. On the web, click the gear icon next to your username. - Select Privacy
In the Settings menu, tap “Privacy.” On the web, look for the “Privacy” section in the left sidebar. - Turn on Fediverse sharing
Under “Fediverse sharing,” tap the toggle to enable it. A confirmation message will appear. Tap “Turn on” to confirm.
Find Your Threads Profile on Mastodon
- Open any Mastodon server
Go to mastodon.social or any other Mastodon instance. You do not need an account to search for public profiles. - Use the search box
In the Mastodon interface, click or tap the search bar. Type your full Threads handle in the format @username@threads.net. Replace “username” with your exact Threads username. - Select your profile from the results
Mastodon shows matching accounts. Click your profile to see a list of your public Threads posts. The posts display with the Threads logo and a link to the original post.
Common Issues When Viewing Threads Posts on Mastodon
Fediverse Sharing Toggle Is Grayed Out
The Fediverse sharing toggle may be disabled if your account is not public. Threads requires your profile to be public to use federation. Go to Privacy > Public profile and switch it to “Public.” After that, the toggle becomes available.
Posts Do Not Appear on Mastodon After Enabling Federation
Only posts made after you turn on Fediverse sharing are shared. Earlier posts remain private to Threads. To make an old post visible on Mastodon, delete it and repost it after federation is enabled. Also check that the post visibility is set to “Anyone” not “Followers Only.”
Mastodon Search Returns No Results
If Mastodon cannot find your profile, verify that you typed the handle correctly. The format must be @username@threads.net with no spaces. If the handle is correct but still not found, wait up to 15 minutes for the federation to propagate. Some Mastodon servers may also block new federated accounts temporarily.
Threads vs Mastodon: Post Visibility and Federation Compared
| Item | Threads | Mastodon |
|---|---|---|
| Default post visibility | Public or followers only | Public, unlisted, followers only, or direct |
| Federation control | On/off toggle for entire account | Per-post federation with local-only option |
| Post visibility from outside server | Only public posts visible after federation enabled | Public and unlisted posts visible to any server |
| Search by handle on other servers | Yes, using @username@threads.net | Yes, using @username@yourserver.com |
You can now view your Threads posts on Mastodon from an outside server after enabling Fediverse sharing. To verify, search for your handle on any Mastodon instance using the format @username@threads.net. For best results, post new content after federation is turned on and set each post to “Anyone.” As an advanced tip, you can also reply to Mastodon users from Threads: their replies appear in your Threads notifications if federation is active.