FINALLY! Instagram is available on your iPad and it’s going to change the way you interact with it. Here’s what’s happening on the tablet version that might make you want to invest in an iPad.
You’d be forgiven if you thought that Instagram had been available to use on your iPad since the photo apps’ inception.
Running a business, shooting content, and making dessert – the Instagram for iPad app is answering our multitasking millennial prayers. Credit: Pexels
Admittedly, I always found it strange that Apple hadn’t made (probably) the world’s favourite app available to use on their tablet, especially as the benefits seemed obvious – a larger screen to scroll on and way easier to edit content on – it was something I asked Apple regularly about as I loved the idea of it. Which is why, now it’s arrived, I couldn’t be more thrilled and this why it’s going to help you build your profile.
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I had long fantasied about the idea of a cute iPad mini to help me build my social platform. Partly because I find editing on my phone a bit fiddly and the inability to see everything on a larger screen frustrating.
If you’re not a seasoned pro (like me), using editing or graphics apps for your content and juggling between devices was a bit painful so having all the apps on one device makes everything that little bit more seamless.
Bigger screen, same scroll addiction – Instagram finally goes widescreen. Credit: Meta
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Probably the best feature that comes with the iPad version of the app is the full screen mode in both portrait and landscape orientation, instantly maximizing the content you see. This makes more sense when you realise that when you open Instagram on an iPad, it automatically shows you reels rather than the vertical mixture feed of static posts and reels which you’re offered on the traditional smartphone app. We’ve known for a while that despite starting as a photo app, Instagram is pushing Reels, its video function, so it might be time to start scrubbing up on your video editing skills if using the app on iPad becomes popular.
From Reels to real-time DMs – the multitasker’s dream just got sleeker. Credit: Meta
It also has stories at the top of your screen and a new follow function that lets you choose what you see from the people you follow in three options – all, friends and latest – and you can place a priority on what you see first. Perhaps my favourite upgrade is being able to use the Apple pencil to scroll with – it somehow makes the act of scrolling much chicer.
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There’s also a change to the layouts for DMs and notifications on the iPad, as the new layout allows you to see both at the same time, by displaying both tabs and you can also expand comments when you’re watching Reels without reducing the size of the video you’re watching which will keep us, well, watching, natch.
Finally, you can check your likes and your life simultaneously. Credit: Meta
It seems like the new, upgraded version will fuel our obsession with watching other people but for some, who are growing their business or personal profile, the changes are important, allowing you to be more discoverable and give you the ability to access more people at once on the luxury of a bigger screen.
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For me – the new app was an excuse to try the iPad Mini after watching hundreds of TikTok videos showing how my life could be significantly better with it in my life – journaling, portability and of course, an elite social media set-up. Apple have just made one of the most addictive apps, even more addictive.
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