Instagram has finally delivered an official iPad app, addressing long-standing frustration among users who had no choice but to use the web version or a stretched iPhone app.
The app opens straight to Reels, reflecting the company’s focus on video content. It offers a wider viewing experience that makes scrolling through short clips more engaging. Stories remain accessible at the top of the screen, while navigation tools such as Following, Explore, Search, Messages, and Notifications are neatly organized on a sidebar.
The feed gives users three modes: All for combined recommendations and followed accounts, Friends for mutual connections, and Latest for chronological posts. Instagram allows users to reorder these tabs, adding flexibility.
The redesigned layout enhances usability. Reels now display comments on the right, while the messaging interface supports a split-screen view — showing active conversations alongside the open chat window.
Instagram resisted calls for an iPad app for nearly 15 years, with company leaders previously signaling no urgency. However, development began in early 2025, as reported by The Information.
The absence of an official app had boosted third-party tools like Retro, but those alternatives may now lose relevance as Instagram offers its own fully featured version.
The app is compatible with all iPads running iOS 15.1 or later and is available for download worldwide.