Instagram debuts a new disappearing-photo app called Instants

Source: Engadget

Overview

Instagram has introduced a new ephemeral‑photo feature called Instants. It is available both within the main Instagram app and as a separate, dedicated Instants app.

Using Instants in the main Instagram app

• Access Instants from the DM inbox by tapping the photo stack icon in the bottom‑right corner.
• You can add a caption, but there are no editing tools, filters, or the ability to upload images from your camera roll.
• Choose a recipient group (Close Friends or Mutuals) and send the photo.
• An “undo” button lets you delete an Instant before the recipient views it.
• To temporarily hide a friend’s Instants, hold the icon in your inbox and swipe right; swipe the other way to start seeing them again.

Dedicated Instants app

Instagram is testing a standalone Instants app in select countries on both iOS and Android:

• iOS:
• Android:

The company said the separate app provides a “quicker, easier way to get into the camera,” addressing feedback that the main Instagram app can feel bloated.

Safety and privacy

Instants inherits Instagram’s standard safety and privacy features, including:

• Blocking and muting controls.
• Parental supervision tools for teen accounts (time limits, screenshot/screen‑recording blocks, restricted access between 10 PM and 7 AM).
• Notifications to parents when a supervised teen downloads the Instants app.

Instagram’s previous attempts at ephemeral photo sharing

• 2014: Launched Bolt, an app for quickly sharing photos with friends.
• 2020: Released Candid Stories, a BeReal‑style feature.

These earlier efforts show Instagram’s ongoing interest in competing with Snapchat and BeReal in the disappearing‑photo space.