Instagram has launched another Snapchat clone

Source: The Verge

Instagram is testing a new dedicated app that’s focused around Snapchat‑like photo sharing features. The app, called Instants, was launched in Italy and Spain yesterday, according to Business Insider¹, and allows users to send each other disappearing photos that are available for 24 hours and can be viewed only once during that window.

Launch and Availability

Instants is currently available on both:

• iOS – App Store link
• Android – Google Play link

Meta has not announced whether a desktop version will follow or if Instants will be rolled out to other regions, including the United States. The feature resembles the “Shots” instant photo sharing tool that is already baked into Instagram Direct messages (later rebranded to Instants) ².

Features

• Capture photos and videos using the in‑app camera.
• Send media to mutual Instagram followers and to users’ Close Friends list ³.
• Limited editing: users can add text overlays, but cannot otherwise modify the media.
• Authenticity focus: the app’s tagline, “real life, real quick,” encourages low‑pressure, authentic sharing.
• Standalone or integrated: users can choose to view and share disappearing content via the Instants app or directly within Instagram.

“Instants is designed to give people low‑pressure ways to connect with friends,” an Instagram spokesperson told Business Insider.

Comparison to Other Apps

Instants shares obvious similarities with other instant‑photo services such as Snapchat and BeReal. It continues Meta’s pattern of launching dedicated experiences that echo features from competing platforms ⁴⁵⁶. However, Instants remains tied to a user’s existing Instagram account, and Meta says users can decide whether to interact with disappearing content through the new app or the main Instagram app.

Future Outlook

Instagram told Business Insider that it is “exploring multiple versions of Instants to see what people like.” While Snapchat and BeReal are no longer the dominant names they once were, Meta appears to see an opportunity to further differentiate its ecosystem by spinning existing features into a dedicated, standalone experience.

Footnotes

1. Business Insider, “Instagram rolls out Snapchat‑like app Instants in Italy,” April 2026. ↩

2. Russh, “Instagram Instants feature explained.” ↩

3. The Verge, “How to add Close Friends on Instagram.” ↩

4. The Verge, “This is Bolt: Instagram’s new messaging app.” ↩

5. The Verge, “Instagram’s several attempts to mimic other services.” ↩

6. The Verge, “Instagram Stories announced, Snapchat influence.” ↩