Instagram Launches Native iPad App After 15 Years, Optimized for Reels, Stories, and Multitasking

The long-awaited arrival of Instagram on the iPad has finally been realized after years of speculation and user demand. The immensely popular social media platform now provides a dedicated app specifically designed for the larger iPad screen, offering users a more tailored experience. This iPad app is available for download on devices running iPadOS 15.1 or later.

Instagram Finally Lands on iPad After 15 Years for a True Native Experience

After more than a decade of requests, Instagram has formally addressed its users’ desires by launching an iPad-specific app. While it retains much of the familiar layout of the iPhone version, this new app enhances the user interface to better suit the iPad’s larger display, delivering a smoother and more immersive experience.

Focusing on the platform’s popular short-video format, the app opens directly to the Reels section, keeping Stories easily accessible at the top. Users will appreciate the new options in the Following feed, which now features filters such as All, Friends, and Latest, allowing for more personalized content discovery.

The design of Instagram’s iPad app caters effectively to multitasking. For instance, Reels can be enjoyed in full view while comments are visible simultaneously. The Direct Messages interface also utilizes a split-pane view, enabling users to navigate their inbox alongside open conversations, thus enhancing usability compared to the constricted iPhone layout.

The delayed launch of the iPad app can be attributed to Instagram’s initial commitment to a mobile-first approach, which resulted in the postponement of a larger-screen experience due to resource constraints. However, with the growing trend of tablet use for content consumption, Meta has finally taken the steps necessary to satisfy the demands of its users.

Ultimately, the release of Instagram’s iPad app signifies much more than just a long-awaited feature; it underscores the platform’s intent to expand its Reels content and to provide users with a native experience that leverages the increasing popularity of tablet devices.

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