Instagram unveiled a new feature called Instants on May 13, 2026, allowing users worldwide to share authentic, disappearing photos that vanish after a single view or 24 hours [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Instants must be taken with Instagram’s in-app camera and cannot be edited or uploaded from the camera roll, although users can add text overlays [1, 2, 7, 4, 6].

Unlike traditional Instagram posts, Instants focus on unfiltered, casual moments, similar to Snapchat and BeReal, aiming to encourage more spontaneous photo sharing. Instagram boss Adam Mosseri said, "Instants are used to share much more casual, much more authentic moments about their day" [1, 2, 7, 4, 5].

Users can share Instants with either their "Close Friends" group or mutual followers (called "Friends"), with "Friends" selected by default, which has led to some accidental sends to more contacts than intended [2, 3, 5, 6]. Recipients can react with emojis and reply via direct messages, but Instagram blocks screenshots and screen recordings of Instants to maintain privacy [1, 2, 6, 8].

Instants photos disappear from recipients’ view after being opened or after 24 hours, but senders can access an archived copy of each Instant privately for up to one year. The archived photos can be reshared as story recaps later [1, 2, 5, 6, 8]. Instagram also allows users to undo Instant sends shortly after posting and to hide or mute the Instants feature or block specific people from sending them Instants [1, 3, 6].

Meta is testing Instants as a standalone app in countries including Spain, Italy, and the United States. The app offers quick camera access and integrates with Instagram accounts, providing an alternate way to share Instants without opening the full Instagram app [1, 2, 4, 6, 8]. The standalone app first launched in Italy and Spain last month before rolling out more broadly alongside the feature launch [1, 2, 4, 6].

Instagram built Instants to inherit the platform’s existing safety and privacy controls, including parental supervision for teen accounts and screenshot restrictions [6]. Some experts note Instants may encourage sharing of more private or adult content within Close Friends groups, although Instagram community guidelines remain in place [7].

The launch on May 13 marks the global rollout of Instants as an in-app feature and the beginning of the standalone app’s wider test. Meta has not announced a final release date for the standalone Instants app beyond its current limited-country availability.