Instagram Launches Long-Awaited iPad-Friendly App, a Decade and a Half in the Making
The wait is finally over for iPad users as the Instagram app has been released, offering a significant upgrade for those who want a bigger screen to enjoy their Insta pics and Reels.
Until now, the Instagram app was not available for download in the iPad's App Store, and the mobile version of the app did not stretch to the iPad's larger screen size. This meant that iPad users had to make do with the mobile version of the app, which was not optimised for the larger screen.
The new Instagram app for iPad features a native design optimised for the large screen, with Reels in focus, Stories displayed at the top, a new "Following" tab with three views (All, Friends, Latest), a messaging inbox accessible alongside chats, and real-time reactions to Reel comments while watching.
Upon first login, users are taken directly to Reels, and the layout of the app resembles TikTok's scrolling format. The Following posts section, a long-requested feature, also takes up the full screen and offers different options for the feed (All, Friends only, Latest).
However, the Instagram features on the dedicated iPad app, excluding the Following posts section, appear more or less identical to existing versions. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the new Instagram app for iPad.
One notable difference in the user experience of the new Instagram app for iPad is in the Following posts section. The layout change might indicate future changes for other versions of the app. No new differences in the Instagram app for iPad have been observed beyond the Following posts section, but further updates may be possible.
Prior to the release, iPad users had to use the mobile version of Instagram, which did not provide an optimal experience on the larger screen. With the release of the Instagram app for iPad, these users can now enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable Instagram experience.
