Instagram has released a dedicated app for the iPad, ending years of user requests for better compatibility on the device.
According to TechCrunch, the new version removes the need to use the iPhone app, which lacked proper support for larger screens, or rely on the web version.
The app opens directly to the Reels screen, allowing users to scroll through short videos on a wider display.
The iPad version includes nearly all features available on the mobile app. Stories appear at the top, and navigation options such as Following, Messages, Search, Explore and Notifications are accessible from a sidebar on the left.
The feed includes three tabs: ‘All’ shows recommended content and posts from followed accounts; ‘Friends’ includes posts and reels from mutual followers; and ‘Latest’ displays posts in chronological order. These options can be rearranged according to user preference.
Instagram previously offered only an enlarged iPhone version for iPad, which lacked visual appeal. The company has now redesigned the layout for a more suitable experience. For example, when viewing a Reel, comments appear on the right, and in the Messages section, a chat opens on the right while active conversations remain visible on the left.
Although Instagram launched nearly 15 years ago, the platform gave little priority to an iPad-specific version. The company’s leadership expressed no urgency in earlier years. In early 2025, The Information reported that development on an iPad app had begun.
This delay led to the rise of third-party apps such as Retro, which aimed to improve the Instagram experience for iPad users.
The new Instagram app is now available for all iPads running iOS 15.1 or later.
