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Instagram is testing 'Instants', a new standalone image-sharing app for sharing unfiltered, disappearing photos
According to TechCrunch, the social media platform confirmed that the app is currently available in Spain and Italy.
These 'instants' can be viewed only once and remain available for 24 hours before they vanish.
Users capture a photo in one tap, with no editing allowed and no uploads permitted from the camera roll
While users can add text to posts, they cannot modify the images further through the in-app camera.
The app borrows ideas from platforms like Snapchat, Locket, and BeReal, focusing on authentic, ephemeral content. Users can share content with mutual followers or their existing Close Friends list to maintain privacy.
The app is currently available for download on both iOS and Android in select testing regions and will be rolling out globally, including Malaysia, soon
While Instagram wants to be personal again, it faces an uphill battle against established user habits and influencers.
Many users already use Instagram Stories for casual sharing and may find a standalone app entirely unnecessary.
It remains to be seen if this late entry can recapture the magic of unfiltered socialising in 2026.
