Instagram’s new “Instant” feature allows users to send disappearing photos to friends and followers via direct messages.
Washington — Instagram is introduce A new feature aims to encourage users to share more spontaneous, unfiltered moments with friends.
social media platform Announced Wednesday, it’s launching “Instants,” a disappearing photo-sharing feature built into Instagram’s direct messages.
The feature allows users to send casual photos to close friends or mutual followers directly from their inbox. Unlike Stories, Instant Messages disappear once viewed, although users can keep them privately in the archive for up to a year.
Instagram says its goal is to make sharing feel more immediate and less curated.
“No editing, no pressure, just life as it is,” the company said in the announcement.
Users can access Now via the photo stack icon located in the lower right corner of their inbox. Photos can contain captions but cannot be edited further. Friends can react, reply, and share their own instant messages, and send replies via direct messages.
Instagram has also added side features including:
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Private archive of instant messages
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A retrospective tool that compiles archived moments into story posts
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Undo option for undoing a photo before viewing it
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Snooze setting to temporarily hide instant messages from your inbox
The company said it is also testing standalone Instants apps on iOS and Android in select countries. The app connects directly to Instagram accounts and is designed to give users faster access to the camera.
Instagram said existing security and privacy protections will apply to Instant, including blocking, muting and restricting settings. The feature is also integrated into teen accounts and parental monitoring tools.
For teen users, time spent using instant messaging will count toward sharing Instagram time limits, and the sleep mode setting will continue to silence notifications at night. Instagram also says Instant cannot take screenshots or screen recordings.
