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Instagram is testing a new app called “Instants,” aimed at enabling users to share spontaneous photos and videos that disappear after being viewed once. The experimental app is currently available in select markets, including Italy and Spain, on both iOS and Android devices.
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The app focuses on quick, real-time sharing, encouraging users to capture moments directly through the in-app camera. Unlike traditional posting features, Instants does not allow uploads from the camera roll, reinforcing its emphasis on authenticity and immediacy. Content shared through the platform disappears after a single view within 24 hours, aligning with trends seen in competing apps.
Instagram is launching a new standalone app called “Instants” that allows users to share unedited, disappearing photos that can only be viewed once and remain available for 24 hours.https://t.co/wtgleXJJxA
— PetaPixel (@petapixel) April 24, 2026
Instants offers minimal editing options, such as basic text overlays, reflecting a deliberate move away from highly curated content. Users can share posts with mutual followers or selected Close Friends lists, which remain synced with their Instagram accounts.
The parent company Meta Platforms has not officially announced a global rollout but confirmed it is exploring different versions of the app to gauge user response. The initiative is part of Meta’s broader strategy to experiment with new formats and features that promote casual and low-pressure interaction.
The concept behind Instants draws comparisons to apps like Snapchat, BeReal, and Locket, all of which emphasize real-time, unfiltered sharing. Observers note that the move highlights increasing competition in the space of ephemeral content.
In parallel, Meta is also testing monetisation features within Instagram, including a premium subscription model offering tools such as anonymous story viewing and enhanced audience controls. These developments indicate the company’s continued push to diversify user engagement and revenue streams.
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While still in early stages, Instants reflects a growing shift in social media toward more authentic and less polished forms of communication, particularly among younger users seeking more private and immediate ways to connect.