Instagram redesigns iPad app to what it always should have been

Source: 9to5Mac

Background

Instagram finally launched an iPad app last fall, over 15 years after the iPad debuted. The iPad version differed from its iPhone counterpart in key ways. After a recent update, Instagram for iPad has been redesigned to what it always should have been.

New Instagram iPad app works just like the iPhone version, abandoning Reels‑first design

The wait for a native Instagram iPad app felt like forever—especially for those keeping count.

When Instagram finally arrived on iPad last fall, it came with a curious design choice. Rather than replicating the familiar iPhone experience, Instagram for iPad put Reels front and center.

From the announcement post:
“With Instagram for iPad, we’ve redesigned the experience to reflect how people use bigger screens today – for lean‑back entertainment. Now, when you open the app, you’ll drop into Reels, so you can get the entertaining content you love on a bigger screen. You’ll also see Stories at the top, so you can easily connect with the people that matter to you, and messaging is one tap away.”

This experiment didn’t resonate with many users. The recent redesign aligns the iPad app with the iPhone version.

Key changes

• The Home tab on iPad now works exactly like on iPhone, showing a feed of posts from people you follow and suggested posts.
• Reels have been moved to a dedicated second navigation tab, mirroring the iPhone layout.
• The Instagram‑only “Following” tab has been removed, as it duplicated the iPhone’s Home tab under a different name.

Overall, Instagram on iPad now offers the same basic layout and design as the iPhone app, but with the advantage of a larger display—something that arguably should have been the default from the start.

What do you think of Instagram’s new design on iPad? Let us know in the comments.