We finally know why Instagram is dragging its feet when it comes to an official iPad app, but I bet the company’s official explanation probably isn’t what you’ve been hoping to hear.
The fact that there has been no official Instagram app available for the world’s most popular tablet is quite depressing. According to Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, an official iPad app isn’t a priority for them, adding that it “hasn’t bubbled up” as the next best thing to do yet.
The Verge editor Chris Welch quoted Mosseri as saying on Twitter:
We would like to build an iPad app, but we only have so many people, and lots to do, and it hasn’t bubbled up as the next best thing to do yet.
As Welch noted, the iPad is ten years old now.
He also said Instagram “would like to build an iPad app.”
“But we only have so many people, and lots to do, and it hasn’t bubbled up as the next best thing to do yet.”
The iPad is 10 years old. Maybe by the time it’s 20, then?
— Chris Welch (@chriswelch) February 15, 2020
Instagram is one of the most downloaded App Store apps so you’d think that an official iPad app would be a no-brainer. I don’t think Instagram’s parent Facebook is being petty, it’s just that they have long maintained their position that web-based apps are the way to go.
ROUNDUP: The best Instagram apps for the iPad
That wouldn’t be problematic had Instagram not changed its API to render third-party Instagram clients on the App Store pretty much useless.
With Facebook’s vast resources and financing, I don’t think Instagram can convince anyone in their right mind that they’re busy or don’t have enough manpower to do an iPad app.
There’s always Instagram’s web app — it works in Safari and can be used to upload photos and videos to the service — but it doesn’t provide full functionality of a dedicated app.
When asked in January why Instagram brought direct messages to its web app instead of focusing on an official iPad app, a company spokesperson said that direct messages on the web help customers “stay in touch with the people you care about.”
DMs, but make them desktop. 👍
We’re currently testing Direct messaging on the web, so you can read and reply to your messages from wherever you are. pic.twitter.com/VJ06EpETxG
— Instagram (@instagram) January 14, 2020
I think it’s safe to assume at this point that there probably will never be such a thing as an official Instagram app for the iPad. I mean, they’ve even found time to test an ad-free experience in the mobile app, perhaps indicating paid tiers might be coming although I doubt people would pay to remove ads from the mobile app because their web app never shows ads.
Instagram CEO said in a story today that there’s a small group of users who NEVER SEE ADS.
“To make sure we understand the effect of that”
Can you imagine?
Bliss. Bliss would be the effect of that, @mosseri. pic.twitter.com/h5c2o3TzKM
— Chris Welch (@chriswelch) February 15, 2020
When asked in January why Instagram brought direct messages to its web app instead of focusing on an official iPad app, a company spokesperson said that direct messages on the web help customers “stay in touch with the people you care about.”
How do you use Instagram on your iPad?
Let us know in the comments below!