Meta is developing a native version of Instagram for iPad, according to a report by The Information. Currently, iPad users can only access the iPhone version of Instagram, which delivers a limited and stretched interface on the larger screen.
Past Resistance to iPad App
Instagram head Adam Mosseri has previously commented that building an app specifically for iPad was not among the platform’s priorities.
- In February 2022, he said, “It’s still just not a big enough group of people to be a priority.”
- In 2023, he added, “We’ve got to pick the most important things to do to improve Instagram at any given moment. And right now, it’s not quite making the cut.”
Native App for iPad in the Works
As reported by The Information, an insider has confirmed that Instagram has begun developing a native app for iPad. Currently, users rely on the iPhone app or the web version, both of which are considered sub-par when compared to tablet-optimized apps.
Although the Instagram web app and Stage Manager support have improved in recent years, the absence of a dedicated iPad app has remained a long-standing gap.
TikTok’s Uncertainty May Be a Key Factor
The move may be influenced by TikTok’s uncertain legal future in the United States. The app is currently under scrutiny due to a potential “divest-or-ban” law and ongoing tariff issues from the Trump era. As highlighted in the report, this situation could have pushed Meta to revisit its iPad strategy in hopes of increasing user engagement.
No Official Release Date Yet
There is no timeline mentioned in the report for when the native iPad app will launch. Further details may emerge as development progresses.