Instagram May Finally Be Getting an IPad App (and How to Use It in the Meantime)
Hallelujah, the threat of a ( once again delayed ) TikTok ban could give Instagram users what they’ve been waiting for since 2010: an iPad app. Over the past couple of years, Instagram has repeatedly made it clear that the iPad is not a priority for the company, but now it looks like that might be changing.
According to a new report from The Information , Instagram plans to take full advantage of TikTok’s uncertain legal status in the US to introduce some new features that will fill the void left by its competitor’s potential exit from the market.
Back in 2022, Instagram head Adam Mosseri responded to influencer Marques Brownlee’s tweet dismissing requests for an iPad app, saying “it’s still not a big enough group of people to be a priority.” Hopefully we’ll get there someday, but right now we’re very focused on other things.”
But now, in 2025, The Information reports that it has spoken with a Meta employee who reportedly has access to the company’s plans to catch up with TikTok, which finally includes (but is not limited to) an iPad app. The move will see the company launch its own iPad solution that can better match TikTok, which has full-screen video playback in vertical mode and even a special landscape mode that fills in empty space with comments and other features.
Why we desperately need an Instagram app for iPad
Instagram on a tablet makes sense. The screen is bigger and better, and it’s much more enjoyable to watch new, longer Reels content on a tablet-sized screen. Not to mention the fact that many authors use the iPad to edit videos and photos posted online. Having a dedicated Instagram app would do wonders for their workflow.
Then there are people like me who use Instagram on Mac and iPad to curb their iPhone addiction and screen time. I find it’s easier to keep track of your social media when it’s not on your smartphone, and I’d like to not have to fiddle with web or iPhone app compatibility to do this.
How to Add Instagram Web App on iPad
But just because Meta is working on an Instagram app doesn’t mean it will be available quickly. The company may also change its plans.
Currently, the best option for using Instagram on iPad is the web app. The Instagram experience has gotten a lot better lately. This is no longer just a simple website. There is a vertical sidebar and DMs are displayed in a two-pane interface that is actually usable.
Plus, if you go to the Reels tab, you’ll get the same endless stream of scrolling Reels videos you get in the Instagram app. Of course, the only difference is that it won’t be as smooth and responsive as the official app.
You can even separate the web app from Safari. After opening the website, click the Share button and use the Add to Home Screen option. Then click “Add”. A new Instagram “app” will appear on your home screen.
When you click on the Instagram “app”, it will now open the Instagram website as its own little app, with no toolbars, tabs or other websites.
You can also try using the exploded Instagram iPhone app on your iPad.
Alternatively, you can also simply install and use the Instagram iPhone app on your iPad. It works, but by default it displays in a ridiculously small iPhone-sized window in the center of the screen. You can increase the size of the window using the “Zoom” button, and this makes it more or less bearable.
The benefit of this approach is that if you can handle the bloat of the interface, it’s more feature-rich than using a website. For example, in the web app, you can’t repost to Stories or accept collaborators. Running the Instagram app for iPhone, even in ridiculously zoomed-in mode, has no such limitations.