Today marks the launch of Instants, a new feature that allows users to share photos instantly with Close Friends or mutual followers with a simple tap. Photos shared through Instants disappear after they are viewed and are no longer accessible after 24 hours. Instants are designed for sharing genuine moments as they happen, so there’s no option to edit them before sending.
How It Works
You can create an instant by tapping the mini pile of photos located at the bottom right corner of your Instagram inbox or by using the Instants app. Capture a photo in real time, as uploads from your phone’s gallery are not permitted. While you can add a caption, additional edits are not possible. Choose recipients from your Close Friends list or followers you follow back. Recipients can respond with emojis, reply, and send their own instants. The shared instants appear as a photo pile in friends’ inboxes and vanish after being viewed.
The Instants app is being introduced in select countries for both iOS and Android users, providing direct access to the Instants camera. By logging in with your Instagram account, you can start using Instants, which function seamlessly across both the app and Instagram itself, ensuring instants reach friends viewing them on Instagram.
Features to Make Sharing With Friends Simple
Archive: Instants are saved in a private archive for up to a year, accessible via the top right corner of the Instants app.
Recap to Stories: Compile archived instants into a recap for Instagram Stories. Tap “Create recap” in your archive to begin.
No screenshots: Screenshots and recordings of shared instants are not allowed.
Undo: If an instant is sent by mistake, use the undo button to retract it before it’s seen. You can also delete it from your archive if it hasn’t been opened yet.
Snooze: Temporarily stop receiving instants by holding down the pile in your inbox and swiping right. To resume, hold and swipe left.
Built-In Safety and Privacy
Instants incorporates all safety and privacy features available on Instagram. Controls such as Block, Mute, and Restrict are effective on Instants, allowing you to limit who can send you instants. Instants are only visible to the chosen recipients — your close friends or followers you follow back.
For teens, Instants is automatically integrated with Teen Accounts and Family Center, requiring no additional setup. Existing parental supervision on Instagram extends to Instants, with features including:
- Shared time limits: Time spent on Instants counts toward a teen’s daily Instagram limit.
- Sleep Mode: Notifications are muted and access is restricted between 10 PM and 7 AM.
- Safety tools: Instagram’s safety features, such as block, mute, restrict, content filters, and reporting, are available on Instants.
- Parent notification: Parents receive alerts the first time their teen downloads the Instants app.
Instants is now available globally as a feature on Instagram and as an app in select countries.
