Instagram Tests Standalone Instants App for Disappearing Photos in Spain and Italy Instagram is testing a modern standalone app called Instants in select European markets, focusing on spontaneous photo sharing with a disappearing format. The app, currently available in Spain and Italy, allows users to capture and share photos that can be viewed only once and remain accessible for 24 hours before automatic deletion. Designed as a counterpoint to Instagram’s increasingly curated and commercial main platform, Instants emphasizes real-time, unedited moments. Users accept photos directly within the app using a single tap, with no option to upload from the camera roll or apply filters. While text can be added to images, no further editing tools are available. Each photo, referred to as an “instant,” expires after a single view or 24 hours, whichever comes first. The feature builds on earlier tests of Instants as an in-app feature in certain regions. Instagram confirms that users can access Instants either through the standalone app or within the main Instagram application. Sharing options are limited to mutual followers or Close Friends lists, which are synchronized across both platforms. Instants draws inspiration from ephemeral messaging apps like Snapchat, BeReal, and Locket, which prioritize authenticity over polished aesthetics. By removing editing capabilities and restricting content to live captures, the app aims to reduce pressure associated with performance-driven sharing. Meta has not announced plans for a wider rollout beyond Spain and Italy, stating that the current testing phase will inform future decisions based on user feedback. The app is available on both iOS and Android devices in the supported markets.
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