Instagram has finally landed on the iPad, giving Apple’s tablet users a proper app after years of waiting. The new version is tailored to bigger screens and reworks the familiar Instagram experience with layouts and features that make the most of the extra space. It’s available globally now for iPad models running iPadOS 15.1 or later, free on the App Store.
The biggest change comes right at launch: instead of opening to the home feed, the iPad app drops users straight into Reels. Instagram is betting that tablets are best for lean-back entertainment, so video takes the spotlight, with Stories pinned at the top and messaging a tap away. It’s a clear signal of the platform’s continued shift toward video-first content.
Instagram has also introduced a new “Following” tab exclusive to iPad, offering three ways to view content from accounts you follow. “All” shows posts and reels from every account, “Friends” filters for accounts that follow you back, and “Latest” restores a chronological feed. Users can reorder these views, allowing more control over how they catch up with updates—a long-requested feature.
The design takes advantage of the larger display with side-by-side layouts for notifications and messages, cutting down on navigation. Watching Reels feels more immersive too, with the option to expand comments while keeping the video in full size. For anyone tired of the blown-up iPhone version, the iPad app feels like a genuine step forward rather than a simple port.
Instagram has resisted a tablet version for years, arguing demand wasn’t high enough. But with video consumption on the rise and iPads serving as a key entertainment device, the timing makes sense. For students, casual scrollers, or anyone who prefers to watch Reels on a bigger screen, the app delivers the experience that’s been missing.
