As millions flock to Bluesky after the US presidential election, users seeking to maintain their social circles can now reconnect with their former Twitter followers using a dedicated Chrome browser extension.
Bluesky has experienced explosive growth, reaching 20 million users as of November 2024 and welcoming over a million new users daily. This surge is largely attributed to a mass exodus from X, formerly known as Twitter, particularly in the wake of major political events and changes in platform ownership. Many users, frustrated by recent developments on X, are turning to Bluesky in search of a familiar and welcoming social environment.
The migration from X to Bluesky presents unique challenges for veteran Twitter users, particularly the daunting task of rebuilding extensive follower networks on a new platform. Years spent cultivating a list of followed accounts can seem lost in the transition, making it difficult for users to maintain their previous online communities and connections.
To address this, developer Kawamata Ryo created Sky Follower Bridge, a free Chrome extension available through the Chrome Web Store. This tool is designed specifically to help users find and follow their friends from X who have also moved to Bluesky. By streamlining the process, Sky Follower Bridge alleviates much of the manual effort involved in searching for familiar faces on a new network.
Using Sky Follower Bridge requires either the Google Chrome browser or another Chromium-based browser that supports Chrome extensions. Users should first install the extension from the Chrome Web Store and pin it to their browser toolbar for quick access throughout the process.
For security, it is recommended that users generate an app-specific password within their Bluesky account before employing the extension. This precaution ensures that the user’s main Bluesky password is never shared with third-party software, reducing security risks. To create this password, users must log in to Bluesky, navigate to Settings, scroll to the Advanced section, select App Passwords, and then click “Add App Password.” After naming the password—such as “Sky Follower Bridge”—and confirming the creation, the user will receive a unique password to use exclusively with the extension. It is advised not to grant direct message access unless absolutely necessary.
Once the app-specific password has been created and copied, users proceed by logging in to their X account and visiting their Following list. Staying on that page, users then activate the Sky Follower Bridge extension from the browser toolbar. The extension will prompt for the user’s Bluesky username and the app-specific password created earlier. Upon entering this information and selecting “Find Bluesky Users,” the extension scans the list of accounts the user follows on X and searches for matching accounts on Bluesky.
Sky Follower Bridge attempts to identify matches using several criteria: it compares usernames, display names, and handle names found in the profile descriptions. These matching options are enabled by default to maximize the chances of reconnecting users with their old network. However, the extension may not locate every connection—if a user has changed their handle or selected a different username on Bluesky, the extension might not find a match. Additionally, while identical usernames may suggest the same individual across platforms, there is no guarantee that they represent the same person, and the extension makes educated guesses rather than definitive confirmations.
Bluesky’s journey began with its launch in the fall of 2021 and has since become a prominent destination for users searching for alternatives to X, especially after controversial changes introduced under new ownership. The platform’s recent growth underscores a wider trend of users seeking spaces that better align with their expectations and values in social networking.
For those transitioning between platforms, the combination of new tools like Sky Follower Bridge and built-in security features offers a smoother path to rebuilding digital communities. By following the outlined steps, users can maintain social continuity and take advantage of Bluesky’s rapidly expanding ecosystem while keeping their personal information secure.
