Instagram confirmed on Thursday, April 24, 2026, that it is testing a new standalone app called “Instants,” designed for sharing disappearing, unedited photos with friends. The app is currently available in Spain and Italy on both iOS and Android.
Instants allows users to capture a photo with a single tap and share it without any editing. The app does not permit uploads from a camera roll, and users cannot modify photos beyond adding text. Photos — referred to as “instants” — can be viewed only once and remain available for 24 hours. Users can share them with mutual followers or their Close Friends list, which carries over from the main Instagram app.
Instagram says users can access Instants either through the standalone app or as a feature within the existing Instagram app, which the company had already been testing in certain regions before the wider announcement.
“To give people low-pressure ways to connect with friends, we’re testing an app called Instants to share casual photos and videos in the moment,” an Instagram spokesperson said. “We’re exploring multiple versions of Instants to see what people like, and will listen to our community.”
The move comes as Instagram looks to offer a more casual, unfiltered sharing experience — a contrast to its main platform, which has become associated with curated content, ads, and influencers. The company cites apps like Snapchat, Locket, and BeReal as points of reference for the ephemeral, authentic sharing format Instants is built around.
Whether Instants gains traction remains to be seen. Instagram’s Stories feature already serves a similar quick-sharing function, and the broader trend of unfiltered photo-sharing apps — exemplified by BeReal’s declining popularity — may limit the new app’s appeal.
Source: TechCrunch