Instagram and the iPhone have always gone hand in hand. The first version of the social network landed on Apple’s mobile in October 2010 , marking the beginning of a relationship that soon became iconic. Android users, meanwhile, had to wait until April 2012 to be able to join the experience.
The iPad, on the other hand, was out of the equation from the beginning. When Instagram reached the market, Apple’s tablet had already been available for half a year, but never received an application designed for its screen. It has spent almost 15 years without that changing until now: this Wednesday, the company has finally taken the step.
The Official Instagram Application for iPad is Now Available
Instagram has finally premiered an app designed specifically for the iPad, something that many users have been requesting for years. This is not a simple adaptation; the interface has been rethought to take advantage of the big screen, improving access to messages and notifications. Users can now view them simultaneously. Even when reproducing Reels, you can expand comments while watching the video in full screen.
The change is noticeable as soon as you open the app. Stories remain visible at the top, and Reels can be viewed in a much larger format. The Following tab is now divided into three views to better organize content:
- All: Recommended publications and reels of all accounts presented in a row.
- Friends: Accounts that the user follows, along with those that follow them.
- The Latest: Chronologically ordered publications, prioritizing the most recent.
The emphasis on messaging has also increased. Users can consult the incoming tray while following a conversation, and the layout for reading comments in Reels ensures that you won’t miss any details of the video.
Furthermore, Instagram has adapted its app to include the latest features of iPadOS. There is support for multitasking and floating windows, which will be fully utilized with the upcoming iPadOS 26 (currently in Beta and expected to be released generally next week). The app is compatible with full-screen mode both vertically and horizontally and boasts support for keyboard, trackpad, and Apple Pencil functionalities.
The application is now available in the App Store for any iPad running iPadOS 15.1 or higher. If users had the iPhone version installed, they simply need to update it: a second app will not appear; the existing app will automatically adopt this new design specifically tailored for tablets.
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, admitted previously that the number of users interested in an app for iPad was never large enough to justify the development of a dedicated application. That excuse is now part of the past: Instagram finally has an official presence on Apple’s larger screens, making it more accessible and user-friendly than ever for iPad users.
In conclusion, the launch of the official Instagram application for iPad marks a significant milestone for both Instagram and its users. After years of waiting and requests from the community, the app’s functionality is tailored specifically for the iPad experience, enhancing interactivity and usability. As technology continues to advance, it’s likely that Instagram will continue to innovate and adapt, catering to its vast user base across different devices.