Instagram finally launched an iPad app last fall, over 15 years after the iPad debuted. But the iPad version of Instagram differed from its iPhone app in key ways. Now, after a new update, Instagram for iPad has been redesigned to what it always should have been.
New Instagram iPad app works just like the iPhone version, abandoning Reels-first design
The wait for a native Instagram iPad app felt like forever—especially for those keeping count.
But when Instagram finally did arrive on iPad last fall, it came with a curious design choice.
Rather than replicating the familiar iPhone experience, Instagram for iPad put Reels front and center.
With Instagram for iPad, we’ve redesigned the experience to reflect how people use bigger screens today – for lean back entertainment. Now, when you open the app, you’ll drop into Reels, so you can get the entertaining content you love on a bigger screen. You’ll also see Stories at the top, so you can easily connect with the people that matter to you, and messaging is one tap away.
This was an interesting experiment, but it apparently hasn’t gone over well with users.
Why? Because Instagram just redesigned its iPad app to be largely identical to its iPhone version.
Simply put, this means three main changes:
- Now, the Home tab on iPad works just like it does on iPhone. It offers a feed of posts from people you’re following, and suggested posts.
- Reels have been pushed into a dedicated second navigation tab, just like on iPhone.
- The Instagram-only ‘Following’ tab is now gone, since it was essentially just the iPhone’s Home tab, but confusingly rebranded.
Overall, Instagram on iPad will now offer the same basic layout and design as Instagram for iPhone, but with the benefit of a larger display. And in my mind at least, that’s exactly what should have been done from the start.
What do you think of Instagram’s new design on iPad? Let us know in the comments.
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