Instagram finally has an iPad app 15 years after it first launched

The social media platform Instagram as a native app. It only took 15 years, as the app first launched all the way back in 2010. We knew and, well, now it’s here.

The iPad is a different platform from a smartphone, so the tablet-based app features redesigned elements. For instance, the app opens directly into a feed of Reels. The iPad app also lets users organize posts and Reels into a chronological list, with recent posts appearing first. This is how social media used to work, before the almighty algos started choosing stuff for us. This “new” feature has also begun popping up once again on the standard app.

Otherwise, the redesign takes full advantage of the increased screen real estate. Comments on Reels will appear right next to the videos and the DMs page will include the inbox alongside the actual chat. This is reminiscent of how the web client of Messenger works.

This move is fascinating, as two years ago Instagram head Adam Mosseri said the iPad simply wasn’t a big enough market to fast track an app. “It’s still just not a big enough group of people to be a priority,” . “Hoping to get to it at some point, but right now we’re very heads down on other things.”