How to add alt text to Threads photos and videos

In the Threads app:

1. Start a new thread and tap the attach icon.
2. Select the photos or videos you want, then tap Done (Android) or Add (iPhone) in the top right.
3. Tap Alt at the bottom of a photo or video.
4. Type your alt text, then tap Done in the top right.
5. Repeat for each item, then post as normal.

• On threads.com, click the attach icon, choose an item, click Alt at the bottom of it, enter the text and click Done

Source: Instagram Help Centre: Edit the alternative text of your post on Threads, checked 15 October 2026

Threads uses object recognition to write a basic description of photos and videos for people with visual impairments. You can replace it with your own, more useful description.

Meta's help centre says the description is read out when someone uses a screen reader. People can also choose to show alt text in the app, as below.

Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Edit the alternative text of your post on Threads, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: How to view alt text on Threads, checked 15 October 2026

The path differs slightly between phones. On iPhone:

1. Tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right.
2. Tap Menu in the top right.
3. Tap Account, then Accessibility. On Android, tap Accessibility straight from the menu.
4. Turn on Show alt text.
5. On a post, tap Alt at the bottom of a photo or video to read its description.

Source: Instagram Help Centre: How to view alt text on Threads, checked 15 October 2026

Our suggestions, not Meta's:

• Describe what matters in the picture for this post, such as the product, its colour and what it's doing
• Include any words that appear in the image, like a price, an offer or opening hours
• Keep it to a sentence or two. There's no need to start with "image of"
• Don't repeat the post text word for word; add what the text doesn't say
• For a video, describe the main action, since alt text is the only description some people get

• There's no Alt button. It appears at the bottom of a photo or video once you've attached it to a new thread
• The post is already live. Meta's steps only cover adding alt text before you post, so write it before tapping Post
• You can't find Show alt text. On iPhone it's under Menu, Account, Accessibility. On Android it's under Menu, Accessibility
• A post has no Alt label. Alt only appears when a description is available and Show alt text is on

Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Edit the alternative text of your post on Threads, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: How to view alt text on Threads, checked 15 October 2026

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