Meta Launches 'Instants' App for Sharing Disappearing Photos on Instagram
Source: MacRumors
Overview
Meta today announced the launch of Instants, a new image‑sharing option on Instagram. Instants are ephemeral photos that disappear after they’re viewed by a user’s friends or after a 24‑hour period.
How Instants Work
- Reactions and replies appear in Direct Messages instead of on the post.
- Photos are displayed for a short period but are saved to the user’s archive for one year and can be reshared to Stories.
- No editing tools are available—no filters, stickers, or modifications beyond captions. This differentiates Instants from Instagram Stories.
Standalone Instants App
Meta also released a companion app that provides quicker camera access. The app is positioned as a direct competitor to Snapchat and allows users to share Instants outside the main Instagram interface. On Instagram, Instants can be shared via a new camera option in the Direct Messages section.
Sharing Options
- Photos can be sent to Close Friends or to mutual followers (users you follow back).
- Instants cannot be screenshotted or screen recorded, offering additional privacy.
Availability
The standalone Instants app is currently limited to select countries and is described by Meta as an experiment. Images shared through the app appear for friends on Instagram, and images shared on Instagram appear in the Instants app.
Tags
- Meta
- Photos
This article first appeared on MacRumors.com.