Bluesky has become a refuge for many former users of the platform known as “X,” providing a fresh alternative with innovative features. Among these features is the ability to utilize a personal domain as your primary username. For instance, you can transform your handle from “@prawnay.bsky.social” to “@pranayparab.com.” However, this transformation comes with a catch: if you do not promptly secure your previous username, it could be claimed by someone else, which poses a risk for identical handles across different social platforms, particularly for users susceptible to impersonation.

Thanks to the latest update, Bluesky 1.96 now ensures that your original username remains protected during the transition to your custom domain. The platform assures that your most recent bsky.social handle will be reserved indefinitely, eliminating concerns about trolls or impersonators hijacking your old identity while you verify your new domain. With this enhancement in place, switching to a personalized domain becomes a seamless experience, free from the anxiety of losing the original username.

The recent version 1.96 update has introduced a variety of enhancements to the Bluesky experience. A noteworthy addition is the new “Mentions” tab within the notifications section of the app. This feature allows users to swiftly identify who has mentioned them in discussions and facilitates easier responses. Previously, all notifications like follows, reposts, likes, and mentions were cluttered together on a single page.

Additionally, the update provides users with flexibility in how replies are displayed. Options now include a linear view (the default setting) and a threaded view, making it easier to navigate through various comment layers. Users can also elect to sort these replies in either chronological or reverse chronological order, prioritize popular responses, or even randomize the order of replies.

Lastly, Bluesky has implemented various visual improvements, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the platform. The service has also expanded its language support to include Khmer, Nepali, and Romanian, making it more accessible to a broader audience.