Meta Platforms is reported to be in the process of launching a native Instagram app for the iPad. It will capitalize on the recent, much-awaited release of WhatsApp for iPad, which came following years of people demanding support for bigger devices.
The project of creating an Instagram app compatible with the iPad is reportedly underway, according to an experienced journalist. The app is also reported to be in active testing among employees on the company’s campus prior to its expected release later this year.
Instagram for iPad App: Under Development and Testing
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported on Meta’s ambitions for a native Instagram app for the iPad in the Q&A of the weekly Power On newsletter. According to the reporter, the app will arrive later this year “if all goes to plan”, with the development completely in motion.
Before its public release, the native iPad experience of Instagram is said to be in testing among Meta staff within the company campus.
Current Instagram iPad Experience Falls Short
Although Instagram already has an offering for the Apple tablet in the App Store, it is a zoomed-up version of the iPhone app, with content centering awkwardly on the screen. According to reports, the app is still optimized for smartphone displays, not tablets.
Gurman explains that Meta hadn’t released a stand-alone app for the iPad previously due to various concerns. These included optimization issues and square image formats that did not render well on larger screens.
Technology Now Makes It Possible
Additionally, there were worries that low-resolution images would look even more prominent on the iPad’s larger Retina display. But now, technology is said to have caught up, and Meta is set to launch an app that can run natively on the iPad almost ten and a half years since the platform first launched in 2010.
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A Strategic Move by Meta
Interestingly, this is not the first report of the company working on a native Instagram iPad app. Earlier, it had been proposed that Meta wanted to further drive Instagram usage with a dedicated iPad version.
This achievement was said to be triggered by two main factors:
- The possible TikTok ban in the US under the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.
- Recent tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on several nations, including India.
Instagram for iPad is Finally Becoming a Reality
After years of user demand and speculation, Meta is finally taking steps toward releasing a dedicated Instagram app for iPad. With internal testing already underway on Meta’s campus and a potential launch scheduled for later this year, this move marks a significant step in enhancing the user experience for iPad users.
As Meta continues to adapt its platforms in response to technological advancements and global digital trends, the upcoming native Instagram iPad app could prove to be a game-changer especially as competitors like TikTok face increasing regulatory challenges.
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