Instagram is widely used by many, but despite this, the company still won't make an app for iPads, as reported by The Verge. Adam Mosseri, Instagram's CEO, expressed that it simply isn't a top priority for the company.
This may be the case, but reports have stated that Instagram for the web has been getting a better user interface. It now features a navigation sidebar, which leads to pages like search, explore, messages, and notifications, as opposed to unlabeled buttons.
It's a bit similar to Twitter's layout, and users will be informed of the purposes of the buttons. Instagram Web will also have options to access Settings and Saved Posts, and users will be able to switch accounts via the "more" menu.
Christine Pai, a Meta spokesperson, stated that they are working on ways to improve the web experience of Instagram. They have made updates for Instagram.com, which include improvements for navigation, optimizing video experience, and a more immersive way to DM.
Why There's No App for Instagram in iPads
According to a report by Make Use Of, not enough people use the app on iPad to make it a priority. Marques Brownlee, an American Youtube, responded by saying that more people would use it if an app existed.
Mosseri replied with three points. Firstly, he stated that each surface adds overhead. They support iOS, Android, www, and IG Lite, and Android is the largest among them. Second, TikTok and YouTube are behemoths, and people share more in messages than in Stories or Feeds. Third, the company is leaner than you (Brownlee) think.
Even though people prefer to take photos and post using their smartphones, there is still the matter of just browsing. It is better to look at photos or videos on a big screen. With this in mind, it doesn't make much sense that an app will not be released still for iPads.
The Abundance of iPads
IDC, a market research firm, shows that around 17.5 million iPads were shipped by Apple in its 2021 fourth quarter. That accounts for 38% of the market share. Apple has reported that it has over 1.6 billion active devices, and more than one billion of those were iPhones. Android, on the other hand, has three billion active devices.
Even if iPads had a lot of sales, it's still small in comparison to more than four billion devices that have access to the app. This might explain why the company is prioritizing the app already available to certain devices.
Alternative for the App
It can be frustrating not to have an app for your iPad, but users can do the next best thing. This is a solution that doesn't rely on their-party apps. You can do this by adding Instagram's web app to your home screen, as suggested by Switch to iPad.
First, go to your preferred web browser and search instagram.com. Log in and press the share button in your browser, and tap Add to Home Screen. You will then have to name the icon, but do not change the URL. After that, you will have an Instagram icon on your home screen.
Once you tap on the icon, you're going to have to log in again. You can scroll through your feed, watch stories, send direct messages, like, and comment. However, there are limitations to this hack. You won't be able to post photos.
