Threads has its own API — separate from Instagram's Graph API even though both live under Meta. That means a separate authorisation step, separate tokens and a separate set of permissions. Once connected, post mate becomes your Threads scheduler for single posts, media, and reply chains.
Connect Threads in 5 steps
- Make sure your Threads profile exists
You need an active Threads profile linked to the same Instagram account. The Threads API will not return a profile if the account has been deactivated or never logged in.
- Go to /app/connections and click "Connect Threads"
post mate opens Meta's OAuth screen. The scopes requested are threads_basic and threads_content_publish — the two permissions needed to publish posts and read your own profile.
- Approve the scopes
Approve and Meta returns you to /app/connections. The profile shows up as a new row. Threads tokens are long-lived (60 days) and post mate refreshes them automatically before they expire.
- Compose a thread
Open /app/compose, pick the Threads account and write your post. To turn it into a reply chain, hit "Add reply" — each segment becomes a child post when the first one publishes. Each reply still has the 500-character limit.
- Check the published thread
Once the queue fires, post mate stores the URL on the post detail page. If a media item fails (Threads is strict about aspect ratios under 0.4:1 or above 1.91:1) the error from Meta surfaces directly in the post timeline.
Once you're back inside post mate the account shows up on /app/connections with a green connection dot. From there it's available as a target in every composer.
What you can post to Threads from post mate
- ✓Text post — Up to 500 characters.
- ✓Single image
- ✓Single video
- ✓Carousel — 2 to 20 items.
- ✓Reply chains — Compose a thread of replies in one editor.
- ×Quote post — In-app only — no API endpoint yet.
- ×Polls — In-app only.
Threads API capabilities — the honest list
What works
- Single text, image, video, carousel posts
- Reply chains (publish, then reply-to)
- Alt text on images
- Permalink retrieval after publishing
What the API doesn't expose
- Quote posts
- Polls
- DM-style replies to other accounts you don't own
- Editing or deleting posts via API
- Searching the public timeline
FAQs
Is the Threads connection the same as Instagram?
No. They share a parent account but the APIs are separate. You can connect Threads without connecting Instagram, and vice versa.
Can I schedule a thread of more than two replies?
Yes. Add as many reply segments as you need in /app/compose. post mate publishes them in order, waiting for each to confirm before the next goes out.
Why does my Threads post say "rate limited"?
Threads enforces a per-account publishing cap. If you publish many posts in a short window through the API, Meta will throttle until the window resets. post mate retries automatically.
Do I need a Meta developer account?
No, post mate is the registered app. You only need a Threads profile.
What happens if I revoke access?
Your Threads connection in /app/connections turns red and the queue pauses. Reconnect to resume — nothing is lost.
Ready to schedule your first post?
Sign up for post mate, connect Threads from /app/connections, and start cross-posting from a single composer. 14-day free trial, cancel anytime — no credit card to start the trial when you sign up with Google.