Initially introduced as an iPhone app under Meta ownership, Instagram provides separate applications for Android and web access. Notably, there is no dedicated iPad app, although Instagram has a specific version for Android tablets. Despite this, there are no apparent plans from the Mark Zuckerberg-led company to optimize the platform for iPads.
According to information from 9to5Mac, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri has reaffirmed that creating an iPad app is not a primary focus for him. Consequently, iPad users eagerly anticipating an iPadOS version of the app will need to wait patiently.
The viewpoint of the CEO of Instagram
In an Instagram Stories Q&A session, Mosseri was queried about the company’s plans for developing a dedicated app for iPad users. In reply, the Instagram CEO noted that there is currently no ongoing initiative for such a project.
Mosseri acknowledged the potential benefits of having an iPad app in the future but highlighted that, at present, he places greater importance on other new features. As a result, Instagram is less inclined to prioritize a specific layout update for iPads.
In response to a post from 2022 by YouTuber Marques Brownlee, Mosseri noted that the Instagram user base on iPads is “not yet sizable enough to be a primary focus.” While he acknowledged plans for a dedicated Instagram app for iPads in the future, Mosseri emphasized that his team is currently deeply engaged in other strategic initiatives.
What factors alleviate Instagram’s worries about an iPad app
On the flip side, iPads have a considerably smaller user base compared to iPhones. According to IDC data for the second quarter of 2023, Apple shipped over 42 million iPhone units, while iPad shipments totaled only 10 million units during the same period.
It’s important to highlight that other Meta platforms, such as Facebook, already provide dedicated apps for iPadOS. Instagram, as a platform, is well-optimized for iPhones, leveraging their advanced camera capabilities. Nevertheless, the anticipation is that the introduction of a dedicated iPad app will improve the user experience by allowing users to view photos and videos on a larger screen.
Much like Instagram, Meta’s newly launched microblogging platform, Threads, lacks support for iPadOS, limiting user engagement with these emerging social media platforms. To address this constraint, Meta introduced a web version of Threads in August, extending compatibility to desktops and tablets.