Instagram resurfaces on iPads following a notable hiatus

After years of requests from users, Instagram has finally released an official app for iPad. The new app, available now on the Apple Store, offers a dedicated experience for users on the larger device, utilising its bigger screen and providing "more features with fewer taps."

The new Instagram app for iPad comes with a range of new features, including the Reels and Following tabs. Upon opening the app, users are greeted with Reels, Instagram's TikTok competitor, while the Following tab shows posts from accounts you follow in chronological order. Users will also be able to check comments on Reels while keeping the video at full size.

The new design and features on the Instagram app for iPad may improve the user experience and increase user engagement on the platform. This development could potentially be linked to the uncertainty surrounding TikTok earlier in the year, as Instagram looks to solidify its position in the short-form video market.

Android users will soon receive the updated tablet design and new features on the Android version of the app. The Stories menu can still be found at the top of the screen in the new Instagram app for iPad, providing a familiar interface for users.

One of the most notable changes in the new app is the DMs page. It displays your inbox beside chats, similar to what Facebook Messenger looks like on a desktop, making it easier for users to manage their messages.

Instagram has only been usable on iPad through the iPhone app or through the browser until now. With the release of the new app, iPad users can now enjoy a more optimised experience with full features like Feed, Stories, and DMs.

This marks a significant milestone for Instagram, as the iPad now has an official app 15 years after the service first launched. Meta, Instagram's parent company, focused previously on other platforms and functionalities, and only recently developed a native iPad app to provide an optimized experience with full features.

The new Instagram app for iPad could potentially increase user engagement on the platform due to its dedicated features and improved user experience.