Meta reverses years of resistance, releasing a dedicated tablet app with Reels focus and a multi-column layout for iPadOS 15.1 devices.
Instagram has officially launched a dedicated iPad app, ending a 15-year wait that has frustrated millions of tablet users since the platform's inception in 2010. The app is now available on the App Store for all iPads running iPadOS 15.1 or later, marking a dramatic reversal from years of resistance by the Meta-owned social network.
The Long-Awaited Arrival
The Instagram iPad app launched today represents one of the most requested features in the platform's history. For over a decade, iPad users have been forced to use either a zoomed-in version of the iPhone app or access Instagram through a web browser—both suboptimal experiences on the tablet's larger display.
"Today, we're excited to announce we're bringing Instagram to iPad. People have asked for this for a while, and we've taken the time to design an experience that optimizes your favorite parts of Instagram for a bigger screen," Instagram announced in its official blog post.
Reels Takes Center Stage
The new iPad app has been designed with a clear focus on video consumption, particularly Reels—Instagram's answer to TikTok. When users open the app, they'll "drop into Reels" immediately, providing what Instagram describes as "lean back entertainment" optimized for larger screens.
"With Instagram for iPad, we've redesigned the experience to reflect how people use bigger screens today – for lean back entertainment," the company stated. Stories remain prominently displayed at the top of the interface, while messaging is just "one tap away."
Enhanced Features for Tablet Users
The iPad version introduces several tablet-specific improvements that leverage the larger screen real estate:
1. Multi-Column Layout: Unlike the iPhone app, iPad users can now navigate important sections with fewer taps. Instagram says users can "catch up on messages and notifications using layouts that display both tabs at the same time."
2. Following Tab Options: A new Following tab provides three filtering options:
- All: Recommended posts and reels from accounts you follow.
- Friends: Recommended posts and reels from mutual follows.
- Latest: Chronological posts and reels with the most recent appearing first.
Users can customize the order of these feeds to prioritize what matters most to them.
3. Expanded Comments View: When watching Reels, users can expand comments while keeping the video at full size—a feature impossible on smaller screens.
Years of Resistance
The launch comes after years of Instagram leadership dismissing the iPad as not worth the development effort. Adam Mosseri, Instagram's head, repeatedly stated that an iPad app wasn't a priority for the company.
In 2020, Mosseri blamed limited resources, saying the company had "lots to do" and an iPad app was not "the next best thing to do yet." By 2022, his stance hardened further when he told tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee that iPad users were "still just not a big enough group of people to be a priority."
As recently as October 2023, Mosseri maintained this position, telling users during an Instagram Stories Q&A that he was "not working on it right now," though he acknowledged it would be "a good thing to have at some point."
What Changed?
The sudden about-face raises questions about what prompted Instagram to finally develop an iPad app. According to The Information's report from April 2025, Instagram had begun working on the iPad app earlier this year, though no explanation was given for the strategic shift.
Industry observers suggest several possible factors:
- Increased competition from TikTok, which has long offered a tablet experience
- The success of WhatsApp's iPad app launch in May 2025
- Growing iPad sales, with Apple shipping over 51 million units in 2021 alone
- Pressure to maximize user engagement across all available platforms
Technical Requirements and Availability
The Instagram iPad app is available immediately as a free download from the App Store. It requires iPadOS 15.1 or later, ensuring compatibility with most iPads currently in use.
This marks the second major Meta app to arrive on iPad this year, following WhatsApp's debut on the platform in May 2025.
