Are you tired of the missing Instagram app on your iPad? The wait might soon end, and you could finally get to scroll through your photo feed in a version that actually fits your big, beautiful screen. Yes, it seems Meta has finally noticed that stretching the iPhone app over the iPad looks about as good as wearing shoes three sizes too small. So, what’s the scoop?
Instagram’s Native iPad App Nears Release?
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Meta has pushed forward with the development of a native Instagram app for the iPad.
Employees on Meta’s campus actively test the app, and if nothing derails the plan, users may see it launch before the end of the year.
This follows earlier hints from The Information that an iPad version was in the works, finally giving iPad owners something better than the stretched and awkward iPhone app or the web version, which many have long considered a poor substitute.
For over a decade, Instagram’s absence from the iPad felt like a bad joke that just wouldn’t end. Creators, in particular, voiced their frustration at having to use a phone-sized app stretched awkwardly over a much bigger screen. Trying to edit photos, post stories, or simply scroll through the feed on an iPad never quite worked the way it should. The Verge didn’t mince words, calling the whole situation ‘absurd’ because iPad owners had no choice but to settle for either a blown-up phone app or the clunky browser version. Not exactly the kind of premium experience Apple fans expect after all these years.
The recent launch of WhatsApp’s iPad app only rubbed salt into the wound, as many users quickly demanded, ‘Hey, what about Instagram?’ Meta seemed to finally take notice. Instagram’s iPad app has topped the list of long-awaited features, and the company now appears ready to stop sidestepping the demand.
We don’t have an exact release date yet, but with the year winding down, it looks like Instagram on iPad is no longer just a pipe dream. Hopefully, the wait will prove worth it, and the new app won’t feel like a rushed afterthought slapped together at the last minute. Fingers crossed Meta delivers something that actually deserves your screen time.
Why Has Instagram Ignored the iPad for Over a Decade?
Instagram’s long absence from the iPad screen puzzled many users, especially given how popular the tablet has become. Meta claimed limited resources and other priorities kept the app off the iPad. CEO Adam Mosseri stated that the iPad user base was ‘not big enough’ to warrant a dedicated app.
Yup, we get this one a lot. It’s still just not a big enough group of people to be a priority. Hoping to get to it at some point, but right now we’re very heads down on other things.
— Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) February 27, 2022
However, let’s pause here. Instead of guessing how many iPad users exist, it’s easier to look at the numbers. In its 2024 financial year, iPads generated nearly 27 billion U.S. dollars in revenue, making up over seven percent of Apple’s total global revenue in the last quarter alone. That kind of cash flow means the iPad is no niche device. While it’s tricky to pin down exactly how many users actively use social apps like Instagram on their tablets, it’s clear the potential audience is far from insignificant. Ignoring such a lucrative segment for so long? That raises more than a few eyebrows.
Some insiders argue that technical hurdles played a role. The iPad’s larger screen demands a completely different design approach. Scaling up an iPhone app often leads to awkward layouts and stretched images. Meta might have worried that Instagram’s traditionally low-resolution photos would look worse than grandma’s old holiday snaps when blown up on a high-res iPad display.
Then, there’s the whispered rumor mill. Several sources suggest a behind-the-scenes clash between Mark Zuckerberg and Tim Cook. Apple and Meta have had their share of disagreements over privacy and App Store policies, and some speculate that Meta gave the iPad the cold shoulder as a subtle jab at Apple. If true, Instagram’s decade-long absence might have been part strategy, part spite. In the end, the delay makes more sense when you consider all these factors together.
What Is the Reaction of Users?
The news about Instagram finally coming to the iPad feels like a breath of fresh air – something that should have happened years ago. However, this is exactly where the problem lies. A quick dive into Reddit discussions reveals a flood of comments pointing out the obvious: this app should have launched at least ten years ago. While everyone talks about flying cars, should we really be excited about an Instagram app arriving on the iPad?
Sure, better late than never. The app will undoubtedly find its audience among iPad owners who have waited patiently, or not so patiently, for this moment. But the harsh truth is that the number of enthusiastic users will likely be much smaller than it could have been if Meta hadn’t dragged its feet for so long.
