Instagram rolls out Instants app for sharing photos that disappear
Last Updated: 2026-05-14 15:29:02
Instagram has launched the new Instants app which takes you back into the early origins of the platform i.e. focus on photo sharing and making them disappear after someone views it. Instagram, which started as a platform to host photos, now needs another app that does exactly that since the main app now caters to short videos, comments, messages and even AI for users.
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Instagram launches Instants app for disappearing photo sharing- Instants photos vanish after 24 hours, similar to Snapchat
- Instants also works as a feature within the main Instagram app
It is hard to ignore the obvious similarities of Instants with Snapchat which is nothing new for the platform. We had previously referred to a report which confirmed Instagram working on the new photo-centric app and now it has launched for users.
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Instagram ‘Instants’ app: What it offers
The Instants app is a case of Meta going back to its roots and letting you capture a moment and share it with people for 24 hours after which it disappears. It sounds a lot like the first-gen Stories on Instagram but now available with a new app from the company. You cannot take a photo from the gallery and upload it for sharing.
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Instagram is more suited to edit-based content these days as it has looked to rival TikTok, and it seems Instants is just another app out there that wants to appeal to those who still want a basic photo sharing app in their lives.
How to use Instants for photo sharing
Instants is not only a new app but also a feature built into Instagram for those who don’t want another app on their phone.
- Go to the inbox in the Instagram app
- Tap the mini stack of photos at the bottom right corner
- Add a caption but can’t edit the photo for sharing
- Choose the person who you want to share your instants with
- Tap the white button below the camera to share as many times as you want.
Instagram has an undo button that automatically appears the moment you share an instant and you want to retake the shot before sharing. The platform is also offering other options like archiving the shared Instants or even snoozing in your inbox till the right time comes for sharing.
While Instants does work in the main app, there is a standalone version for iOS and Android users in India that will be available in the coming days.