How to Remove the Threads Badge from Your Instagram Profile

Instagram‘s Threads app allows you to message close friends beyond Instagram‘s public feed. But if you prefer keeping that part of your online presence separate, removing the Threads badge from your Instagram profile is simple.

This detailed guide will cover everything you need to know about deleting that pesky badge, from step-by-step instructions to expert tips on managing your privacy.

What is Threads and What Does the Badge Do?

Before jumping into removing the badge, let‘s briefly cover what Threads is and why you might want to delete its presence from your Instagram.

Introducing Threads – A Messaging Sidekick for Instagram

Threads is a standalone messaging app launched by Instagram in 2019. While Instagram is focused on public photo and video sharing, Threads is focused on private communication.

With Threads, you can post text, photos, video, GIFs and more to individuals or groups of close friends. It‘s designed for intimate, real-time connections beyond Instagram‘s public feed.

Some key Threads features include:

Auto Status Updates: Automatically share your status like location, battery level, and more.
Custom Close Friends List: Choose which friends can see your automatic updates.
Real-Time Activity: See friends‘ status updates and when they‘re actively using Threads.
Encrypted Messaging: Keep conversations private with end-to-end encryption.
Feed: Scroll through close friends‘ shared statuses, reactions, and messages.
Reactions: React to friends‘ statuses and messages with emoji.
Camera: Quickly snap and share photos or videos.

So in summary, Threads aims to be your intimate, private social network beyond Instagram‘s public profile.

The Threads Badge on Instagram

When you first create a Threads account, a clickable Threads badge is temporarily added to your Instagram profile under your username.

Tapping this badge will take people directly to your Threads profile where they can follow you, view your status updates, and message you.

Essentially, it helps drive traffic and engagement over to your Threads presence. It‘s a way to merge and cross-promote your Instagram and Threads audiences.

Some users enjoy having the seamless integration. But others prefer keeping their Instagram presence and close friends circles separate.

If you fall into the latter camp and want to remove the badge, this guide will walk through the quick process.

Step-by-Step: Removing the Threads Badge from Instagram

Ready to remove that pesky Threads badge? Deleting it only takes about 15 seconds and 6 simple steps:

Open the Instagram app on your mobile device and go to your profile page.
Scroll down and locate the sparkly Threads badge below your username.

Tap directly on the badge to open your Threads profile.
In the top right corner, tap the ⋮ icon to access your Threads settings.
Under your name, tap "Hide badge" to remove it from Instagram.

Confirm by tapping "Remove badge" on the pop-up.

That‘s all it takes! The Threads badge should now instantly disappear from your Instagram profile.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you followed the steps but are still seeing the badge, try closing and reopening the Instagram app. The change can take a few minutes to take effect across Instagram‘s servers.

Double check that you selected "Hide badge" in your Threads settings. Instagram will not remove the icon unless you confirm it within the Threads app.

As a last resort, you can log out then back into both the Instagram and Threads apps to force a refresh.

Should You Delete the Threads Badge? Pros and Cons

Removing the Threads badge comes down to personal preference. Here are a few pros and cons to weigh when making your decision:

Pros of Removing the Badge

Keep Instagram presence separate from close friends circles
Avoid clutter on your Instagram profile
Manage privacy and limit personal info sharing
Control how Instagram audience engages with you

Cons of Removing the Badge

Loses seamless integration between apps
Harder to cross-promote Threads profile
Followers may still find your Threads profile
Can always re-add badge later if wanted

For many users, the desire for separation wins out. But there are valid reasons for keeping the badge too. Evaluate your own preferences, audiences, and goals.

Manage Your Threads Experience for Maximum Privacy

Beyond just removing the Instagram badge, you can take further steps to keep your Threads activity private and secure.

Adjust Auto Status Updates

Threads automatically shares certain status updates like your battery level, location, and more. Turn these off globally or limit visibility to only your closest friends.

Leave Threads Groups

If you‘ve been added to Threads groups that you don‘t want to participate in, feel empowered to leave them.

Restrict Who Can Message You

Use your settings to limit who can directly message you on Threads. This prevents unwelcome contact from random followers.

Review App Permissions

Double check that Threads doesn‘t have unnecessary access to data like your contacts, camera, microphone, etc.

Evaluate Third-Party App Connections

Be cautious when connecting third-party apps like Spotify to share listening activity. Always review what data is being accessed.

Monitor Your Digital Footprint

Periodically review your Threads profile and activity feed as you would your main Instagram presence. Make sure you‘re still comfortable with what‘s being shared publicly and privately.

Just How Popular is Threads Anyway?

While Instagram itself has over 2 billion monthly active users, Threads adoption is still in its early stages.

In February 2020, about 1 year after launch, Threads had approximately 7.5 million downloads worldwide according to analytics firm Sensor Tower.

To put that in perspective, WhatsApp, the most popular messaging app worldwide, has over 2 billion users. And Instagram‘s own standalone messaging app, Facebook Messenger, has over 1.3 billion users.

So Threads is still a relatively niche product, though future growth is expected as Instagram continues integrating it with their flagship app‘s messaging features.

For now, Threads serves a subset of Instagram users who want deeper connections with their closest circles. Monitoring its privacy, security, and audience-sharing implications will remain important as the app evolves.

How Does Threads Compare to Other Messaging Apps?

Threads occupies a unique space between public social media and private messaging. Its focus on close friends provides more intimacy than Instagram, but less functionality than full-featured chat apps.

Here‘s how it compares to some other popular messaging platforms:

WhatsApp

End-to-end encrypted messaging and calls
Group chats with up to 256 people
Seamless global messaging across countries
Media sharing and reactions

Facebook Messenger

Integrates with Facebook platform and profiles
Video calling plus AR filters and effects
Payments and bots for commerce and automation
Third-party app integration and chat extensions

Apple iMessage

Syncs across Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac)
Rich media and stickers beyond just text
Memoji avatars and Animoji characters
Integrated with Apple services like FaceTime and iCloud

Snapchat

Ephemeral messaging with disappearing snaps
Creative tools like lenses, stickers, Bitmoji
‘Stories‘ for sharing moments publically or privately
Integrated news, entertainment, and shopping

Key Threads Differences

Tight integration with Instagram
Automatic status sharing
Active usage indicators
Focus on close friends rather than groups

So while Threads lacks some deeper features of dedicated chat apps, its intimacy and simplicity make it perfect for connecting with your inner circle.

What Does the Future Hold for Threads?

Since launch, Threads has focused on offering a tighter, more private social experience vs Instagram. But what new features and updates can we expect next?

In 2022, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg outlined his vision for Threads moving forward:

"Over time, we‘ll make Threads more central to the Instagram experience and build more ways for people to connect with their close friends lists across all of our apps. Your close friends list on Threads will sync with Instagram so you don‘t have to build your close friends list twice. We‘ll add more features like status so you can set a status and have your close friends see what you‘re up to. We‘ll also let you message close friends across Messenger and Instagram in addition to Threads."

This gives us a glimpse into Threads‘ roadmap:

Closer Instagram Integration: Expect profiles, contacts, and features to sync more seamlessly between the two apps over time.
Expanded Status Updates: More interactive statuses beyond just location and battery level coming soon.
Cross-App Messaging: Threads messages and friends lists could eventually work across Instagram and Messenger too.
Algorithmic Suggestions: Likely more AI recommendations for new friends, content, and communities.

It‘s clear Meta will continue blurring the lines between Threads and Instagram. This will require even more diligence in managing privacy settings and reviewing what data is accessed.

But for those who find value in Threads‘ intimate approach, its priority on closer connections will remain its core focus.

Parting Thoughts

I hope this guide gave you clarity on exactly what the Threads badge does along with actionable steps for removing it from your Instagram profile.

While integrating Threads can provide a tighter social experience, don‘t feel pressure to link it to your Instagram if you prefer separation. The option to delete the badge is there for your comfort and control.

Beyond just removing the badge, be sure to review Threads‘ privacy settings regularly as you would any other social app. Monitor your digital footprint, limit data access when possible, and keep your circle small.

Threads will continue evolving over time, so check app update notes for any changes that may impact your privacy strategy. And feel free to re-add the badge later if the integration benefits outweigh the risks.

You know your personal preferences best. Let this guide empower you to customize and curate your social presence across Instagram, Threads, and beyond.