Meta-owned social media platform Instagram has a history of adopting popular features from its rivals. Short-form videos—first popularized by TikTok—are now immensely popular on Instagram in the form of "Reels." Similarly, the "Stories" format was introduced by Snapchat in 2013, after which Instagram launched its own version in 2016 and propelled it into the mainstream. Now, it appears to be mimicking one of Snapchat's core features, albeit with a slight twist. The platform has rolled out a new image-sharing app called "Instants." This app allows users to share disappearing photos with others—images that can be viewed only once and remain available for a period of 24 hours.

The company has listed this app on the Google Play Store, though the listing explicitly states that it is not available in India. Meta aims to make casual and real-time sharing easier and more private. The app is based on the platform's "Shots" feature but has been specifically designed for content that is shared quickly and disappears automatically.

The 24-hour timeline marks a significant difference compared to Snapchat, as Snapchat does not enforce such strict viewing limits. To keep interactions more authentic and unfiltered, this feature allows users to capture photos with a single tap, offering no editing options whatsoever. Users cannot upload images from their camera rolls; this means that all content must be captured and shared exclusively through the in-app camera. While you can add text to your "Instants," these unedited photos cannot be modified any further.

Notably, Instagram has been testing this feature in select regions for some time now. The app is currently available in Spain and Italy and can be accessed on both iOS and Android devices. The company states that users can access ‘Instants’ either within the main Instagram app or through a separate Instants app. This app is expected to launch in India next month. However, this has not yet been officially confirmed, and currently, there is no official listing for it available in India.

Apart from Snapchat, other social media platforms like Locket and BeReal had also introduced similar features—focused on authentic and ephemeral content—before Instagram.

Alongside testing new features like 'Instants,' Instagram is also enhancing its core user experience through small yet practical updates. The platform recently introduced the ability to edit comments after posting, providing users with a 15-minute window to correct errors without having to delete the entire comment. Once edited, a label is added for the sake of transparency. This brings Instagram closer to other Meta platforms, such as WhatsApp, which already supports message editing. Recently, the company also introduced 'Teen Accounts' in India, offering stricter content filters, safer interactions, and greater parental controls.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Dainik Jagran. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.