Amidst the ongoing situation surrounding Twitter, Facebook, now known as Meta, has introduced an alternative: Threads. Zuckerberg’s company has been working on a concept for years that, in short, simplifies Instagram and integrates with it to function as a Twitter-like social network.
Interestingly, Twitter has threatened to sue Meta for plagiarism, though that is a separate issue. The problem lies in the strong integration of Threads with Instagram, which is illegal in Europe. Facebook’s intention is to cross-reference user data, utilize the information they already possess to continue tracking users, display targeted advertisements, and ultimately bypass the protections enforced by the GDPR, the European privacy law designed to safeguard our data.
Due to the aforementioned reasons, Threads is not available in the European Union. However, for those who can’t wait to try Threads, there is a method to download and install the application on an iPhone from Europe. The process is simple, although it requires several steps and components. The most relevant ones are that you need to create a new American Apple ID and use a VPN service, albeit only for a few minutes. With that said, let’s get started.
1. Create a US Apple ID
The first step is to create a new Apple ID with a location set to the United States, if you don’t already have one. There are several ways to do this, but the simplest method is to do it directly in the App Store app on your iPhone. Follow these steps:
- Open the App Store app on your iPhone.
- Tap on your profile picture in the top right corner.
- At the bottom, tap on “Sign Out.”
- Tap again on the area where your profile picture would be, in the top right corner.
- Tap on “Create New Apple ID.”
- Choose an email, password, and select the region as the United States.
- Enter billing information, a phone number if required, and confirm your email.
2. Download Threads from the U.S. App Store
When creating the Apple ID directly in the App Store app, the session is automatically logged in. Once you confirm the necessary information in step six, you can use the account to download apps that are only available in the USA. You can do this just like any other app download:
Simply search for “Threads” and tap on “Get” or click on the cloud icon to initiate the download. Then, tap on “Install” and enter the password for your new Apple ID to confirm the installation.
3. Use a VPN service for first-time access
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) service is a tool that allows you to change your connection country. It works by creating a secure and encrypted connection between your device and a remote server located in the desired country.
When you connect through a VPN, all your internet traffic is routed through this remote server, masking your real location. The remote server acts as an intermediary, sending and receiving data on behalf of the user. As a result, the services you connect to, in this case Threads, will see the IP address of the server located in the United States.
There are many VPN services available. It is recommended to choose a paid service and sign up for any free trial they may offer. Ultimately, you only need the VPN connection for the initial setup, and afterwards, you can use the app directly.
4. Configure the Threads account
With the VPN connected to the United States, open the Threads app and follow the instructions to set it up. You will be prompted to sign in with your Instagram account. You have the option to import data from your Instagram account to Threads to facilitate the transition, but it is not mandatory.
From this point onwards, you can start using Threads with all its features. You do not need to keep the American Apple ID to use the application, so you can log out of it and sign back in with your regular account. However, it’s advisable to keep a record of your username and password, as you may need them to update the app in the future.
In the meantime, you can deactivate the VPN connection as it is no longer needed. All that’s left to do is to check who you follow on Threads and start posting on the network. Enjoy using the app!
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