Instagram Comes To iPad With Reels-First Focus, New Ways To Follow

After years of user requests, Meta announced today the official launch of Instagram for iPad. The new app, designed specifically for the larger screen, aims to deliver a more immersive and engaging experience, prioritising Reels and introducing new features to streamline content consumption.

“People have asked for this for a while, and we’ve taken the time to design an experience that optimises your favorite parts of Instagram for a bigger screen,” Meta said in a statement.

Upon opening the app, users will immediately be greeted with the Reels tab, reflecting Instagram’s emphasis on video entertainment.

Stories will remain prominently displayed at the top, ensuring easy connection with friends and followed accounts. Messaging remains just a tap away.

One of the most significant additions is the new “Following” tab, designed to provide more control over the content users see from their followed accounts. This tab offers three distinct views:

All: Recommended posts and reels from accounts you follow.
Friends: Recommended posts and reels from accounts you follow that also follow you back.
Latest: Chronological feed of posts and reels from accounts you follow, displaying the most recent content first.

This updated Following tab allows users to prioritize the content that matters most to them, whether it’s keeping up with close friends or simply ensuring they don’t miss the latest posts from their favorite creators.

The iPad version also boasts improved multitasking capabilities. Users can now view their inbox while simultaneously participating in a DM conversation, and expand comments while watching Reels, making it easier to engage with content and reactions without interrupting the viewing experience.

“Instagram has always been the place where people connect over creativity, and Reels has become a primary way people discover and share entertaining content. With Instagram for iPad, we’ve redesigned the experience to reflect how people use bigger screens today – for lean back entertainment,” the company explained.

The launch of Instagram for iPad marks a significant step in catering to the diverse needs of its vast user base. With a focus on optimized viewing, simplified content discovery, and enhanced multitasking, the app promises to deliver a more fulfilling Instagram experience for iPad users. The app is available for download now in the Apple App Store.