Instagram Launches Long-Awaited iPad App for Enhanced User Experience
In a significant development for social media enthusiasts, Instagram has officially unveiled its long-anticipated iPad app, marking a milestone for users who have been requesting this feature for years. This dedicated app eliminates the need to rely on a scaled-up iPhone version or the web interface, offering a more tailored experience for iPad users.
The newly designed app opens up directly to the Reels screen, enabling effortless scrolling through short videos on the expansive iPad display.
Key Features of the Instagram iPad App
-
Expanded Functionality: The app includes almost all the features found in its phone counterpart. At the top, users can easily access Stories, while the left sidebar provides quick links to the following feed, direct messages (DMs), search, explore, and notifications.
-
Customizable Feed Options: Instagram’s iPad experience offers three distinct feed categories:
- All: A blend of recommended posts and reels from followed accounts.
- Friends: A focused view of content solely from mutual connections.
- Latest: A chronological feed of the most recent posts and reels, which can be rearranged based on user preference.
-
Enhanced Viewing Experience: Unlike the previously available enlarged iOS app, the new interface is optimized for larger screens. Users can now view comments alongside reels and navigate through active chats within the messages tab without losing context.
Despite Instagram’s long history—nearly 15 years—an iPad app was not prioritized until now. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, had previously downplayed the urgency for its development. However, as reported earlier this year by The Information, the company has made strides to finally deliver this functionality. The delay led to the emergence of third-party applications like Retro, which aimed to improve Instagram usability on iPads.
The Instagram iPad app is now available for all devices running iOS 15.1 or later, opening new avenues for richer engagement on this popular platform.
