Instagram has officially released a dedicated iPad app, answering years of requests from users who wanted the platform on larger screens. The rollout, which began on September 4, applies to iPads running iPadOS 15.1 or later, according to GSMArena.
The company acknowledged the long wait, noting that “people have asked for this for a while,” but said the extended development period allowed it to create an experience tailored for tablets. Despite the new format, the app still faces limitations with the iPad’s wider aspect ratios. For example, the main feed appears centered on the screen with wide margins on either side.
When users launch the app, it opens directly into Reels, highlighting short-form video content as the entry point. Stories remain accessible at the top of the interface, while messaging requires just one tap. Instagram has also added a new Following tab for iPad users, which offers three distinct options: All, combining recommended posts and Reels from accounts a user follows; Friends, limited to mutual follows; and Latest, which displays a chronological feed of the most recent posts.
The iPad’s extra screen space provides at least one functional advantage. While watching Reels, users can expand the comments section without minimizing the video, making better use of the device’s aspect ratio.
Although Instagram did not explain why the launch took so long, the move marks a major step in its efforts to optimize for larger devices. The company also confirmed that a similar tablet-friendly design is being prepared for Android in the near future.
The long-awaited iPad app is now rolling out worldwide, bringing the full Instagram experience to Apple tablet users for the first time. app
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