You Can Now Download Instagram for iPad, Finally (15 Years Later)

Instagram has released a dedicated app for iPad, answering a long-running request from users who wanted the photo and video platform on larger screens. That’s 15 years after the original launch of the app. Talk about making people wait.

The new app is designed for iPads running iPadOS 15.1 or later and is now available globally through the App Store (it’s still propagating in Canada). It offers a layout tailored for tablets, making it easier to browse, watch, and message compared to the iPhone version.

When users open the app, it defaults to Reels, with Stories displayed at the top of the screen. Messaging and notifications are also easier to access thanks to the split-screen design, which shows multiple tabs at once.

Instagram has added a new “Following” tab on iPad, giving users three different ways to view posts from accounts they follow. The “All” feed mixes recommended posts and Reels from followed accounts, while the “Friends” feed shows content only from mutual followers. For those who prefer a timeline-style view, the “Latest” feed displays posts in chronological order, with the newest posts appearing first, which is a good thing.

Instagram says the larger display also allows for multitasking features, such as expanding comments while watching a Reel at full size.

Back in June, it was reported that Apple was actively testing Instagram for iPad, which came after the recent release of WhatsApp for iPad.

The iPad launch comes ahead of a similar redesign planned for Android tablets. Click here to download Instagram for iPad and let us know what you think.