Meta has rolled out a dedicated Instagram app for iPads, 15 years after the platform first launched. The release follows years of user requests and is now available in Apple’s App Store.
The new app offers an upgraded experience, with Reels as the centerpiece. Users can now watch videos on larger screens, with easier access to comments, Stories at the top of the feed, and messaging just a tap away. A new “Following” tab also gives multiple ways to view posts and reels from accounts in chronological order or by recommendations.
“Instagram has always been the place where people connect over creativity, and Reels has become a primary way people discover and share entertaining content. With Instagram for iPad, we’ve redesigned the experience to reflect how people use bigger screens today – for lean back entertainment,” Meta said in a statement.
This comes after years of delay. While the Facebook app has been available for iPad since 2011, and WhatsApp joined earlier this year, Instagram had not taken the initiative. In 2022, Instagram head Adam Mosseri admitted the demand was high but said the company prioritized mobile because of its larger user base.
“We know people have been asking for an iPad app and we’re excited that we’re now able to build it in a way that truly aligns with how our community uses Instagram,” Meta said.
This launch also positions Instagram more directly against TikTok, especially as Meta explores a standalone app for its short-form video feature, Reels. That app is still under consideration, particularly after TikTok’s operations faced uncertainty in the United States earlier this year.
