Instagram has finally delivered a native iPad app, 15 years after its debut on iPhones, now available globally for devices running iPadOS 15.1 and later. From day one, the app drops users directly into Reels—a bold, video‑first approach—while retaining Stories at the top and offering a new “Following” tab with customizable feeds (“All,” “Friends,” and “Latest”). The layout is tablet‑optimized, accommodating multitasking with side‑by‑side messaging and expand‑on‑tap comments, aiming for a lean-back entertainment experience.
Sources: LifeWire, Wired, The Verge
Key Takeaways
– Reels-first experience dominates the app’s design, signaling Instagram’s pivot toward short-form video consumption on larger screens.
– Customized feed options via the “Following” tab give users more control over the type and order of content they see.
– Multitasking-friendly design leverages the iPad’s bigger display, with side-by-side messaging and non-disruptive comment interactions.
In-Depth
After fifteen long years, Instagram delivering a native iPad app feels like a major “finally” moment. The app isn’t just a blown‑up version of what you’d find on your iPhone—it was built from the ground up with the bigger screen in mind.
Once you tap to open it, you’re dropped straight into Reels, effectively saying, “Here’s what we think you’re here for.” Stories still hold their familiar spot at the top, but the real shift is the Reels-first layout.
Swipe over and you’ll find the new “Following” tab. It’s smart—it splits your feed into “All,” “Friends” (accounts that follow you back), and “Latest,” which gives you that sweet, chronological timeline. Bonus: you can tweak the order these show up, so you can prioritize your personal way of browsing.
Now, on an iPad, Instagram isn’t a one‑tap affair. Messages sit side-by-side with notifications, and you can expand Reels comments without pausing the video—streamlined, smooth, and built for multitasking. It feels like Instagram saying, “We finally get how you use an iPad.”
Sure, some users might’ve just wanted a better photo-browsing experience. But the app signals Meta’s bigger push toward short-form videos and TikTok-style engagement. Whether you love the change or miss the old feed, it’s Instagram’s bold take on how mobile meets tablet—lean-back entertainment on a bigger screen.