What’s happened? The iPad finally has an official Instagram app, 15 years after the service first launched. The official app is something users have requested for years, but the iPad version looks a little different than you might remember.
- Instead of opening onto your feed, Instagram for iPad opens straight into Reels, Instagram’s TikTok competitor.
- Users will still see the Stories menu at the top of the screen.
- The app also comes with a new Following tab that shows posts from accounts you follow in chronological order.
Why this is important: Instagram has only been usable on iPad through the iPhone app (a less-than-ideal experience) or through the browser. Now the social media platform finally has a dedicated app on iPad, and it even has a few new features.
- The Instagram for iPad app is designed to utilize the bigger screen and provide “more features with fewer taps.”
- Users will be able to check comments on Reels while keeping the video at full size.
- The DMs page will display your inbox beside chats, similar to what Facebook Messenger looks like on a desktop.
Recommended Videos
Why should I care? For years, Instagram maintained that its iPad user base wasn’t enough to justify a dedicated app. The announcement of one now is a surprise, but it likely stems from the uncertainty surrounding TikTok earlier in the year.
- Instagram for iPad is available today through the Apple Store.
- It works on all iPads running iPadOS 15.1 or later.
- Android users will soon receive the updated tablet design and new features on the Android version of the app.
