Instagram Finally Launches Official iPad App [Download]

Instagram has finally launched a native app for iPad, giving users a long-awaited way to enjoy the photo and video sharing platform on a bigger screen. The app is rolling out globally and has been designed to feel at home on a tablet, with features that take advantage of the larger display.

When you open the new app, you're dropped directly into Reels, reflecting Instagram's push toward video as a primary form of entertainment. Stories remain at the top for quick access, while messaging is only a tap away. The layout adapts to the iPad's display with side-by-side tabs and the ability to expand comments on a Reel without shrinking the video itself, making it easier to follow reactions in real time.




A major addition is the new "Following" tab, which introduces three distinct feeds for keeping up with accounts you follow. All displays posts and Reels from every followed account along with recommendations. Friends narrows the view to accounts that follow you back. Latest offers a chronological feed, letting you catch up on the most recent updates without algorithmic reshuffling. Users can even reorder these feeds to prioritize what matters most.



The app also makes navigation more efficient on a larger display. Notifications and messages can be viewed alongside other tabs, reducing the number of taps needed to move between different parts of the app. Instagram describes the design as optimized for a "lean back" experience, giving users more room to browse, watch, and connect.

The release comes shortly after the company introduced 'Edits,' a standalone video creation app for iPhone, underscoring its continued focus on video content. Instagram for iPad requires iPadOS 15.1 or later and is available now as a free download from the App Store. A similar tablet-friendly design will arrive on Android soon.


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