Mon, 2 Nov 2026
Instagram · Meta

Instagram launches Instants, view-once photos for close friends

Instagram rolled out Instants globally: quick, unedited photos that can be viewed once, combining ideas from Snapchat and BeReal.

Osamah Ismail · Founder & Editor-in-Chief
· 1 min read · Updated:
Instagram launches Instants, view-once photos for close friends
Image: Instagram

What it is

Instants lets you share quick, real-life photos with Close Friends or mutual followers.

How it works

  • Captured only with Instagram's in-app camera: no edits, no camera-roll uploads. Text can be added.
  • Viewable once and available for 24 hours.
  • Per Meta, recipients can't screenshot or record them; they can react, reply or send one back.

More

  • Instants are kept in a private archive for up to one year.
  • Undo removes an unopened Instant.
  • A standalone Instants app is being tested in Spain and Italy.
Sources: TechCrunch, Meta Newsroom
Osamah Ismail

Founder and editor-in-chief of Kurd Developers. Phone and tech news on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.