Instagram for iPad is Finally Here After 15 Years
▼ Summary
– Instagram is launching a dedicated iPad app on September 3rd after years of user requests, with a design tailored specifically for the tablet.
– The app opens directly to a feed of Reels, reflecting Meta’s strategic push to compete with TikTok through short-form video.
– Additional features include Stories at the top of the homepage, a “Following” tab for chronological feeds, and an optimized layout for comments and DMs.
– Meta prioritized the iPad app partly due to TikTok’s regulatory vulnerabilities and potential US ban, which increased competitive urgency.
– Instagram’s focus on Reels is evident through recent updates like longer clips and reposting features, signaling a strong commitment to short-form video on tablets.
After more than a decade of anticipation, Instagram has officially launched a dedicated iPad app, bringing the platform’s full experience to Apple’s tablet for the first time. The new application, available for download starting Wednesday, September 3rd, introduces a layout and functionality tailored specifically for larger screens, though it differs in several key ways from the familiar mobile version.
Most notably, the iPad version opens directly into a feed of Reels, Instagram’s answer to TikTok. This design choice reflects the platform’s growing emphasis on short-form video, a shift that has accelerated in recent months. Earlier reports from April suggested that Meta had finally prioritized developing an iPad app, a move partly influenced by TikTok’s uncertain regulatory standing in the United States. What was once a low-priority project suddenly gained urgency as Instagram’s main competitor faced potential restrictions.
Beyond the Reels-first interface, the app retains many familiar elements. Stories continue to appear at the top of the homepage, and users can switch to a “Following” tab that offers a more traditional feed experience, including a chronological view. The expanded screen real estate allows for a more efficient and visually rich interaction. For example, comments on Reels now display alongside the video itself, and the direct messaging interface mirrors the desktop version of Messenger, showing both the inbox and active chats side by side.
Instagram’s leadership, including head Adam Mosseri, had long argued that demand for an iPad app wasn’t substantial enough to justify development. So why the change of heart? Shifting user habits may play a role, more young people are using tablets for social and entertainment purposes. Additionally, TikTok’s regulatory challenges likely accelerated Instagram’s roadmap. What’s clear is that Meta is doubling down on Reels, having recently extended video length, introduced reposting and fast-forward features, and actively courted popular TikTok creators. The introduction of an iPad app signals that Instagram sees a significant future in tablet-based engagement, and that future is undoubtedly video-first.
(Source: The Verge)
