Instagram’s New ‘Instants’ App Could Let You Ditch the Edits and Just Be Real for 24 Hours

Instagram has gotten pretty curated these days. What if you want to forget those “perfect posts” and send raw, unedited, AI-free photos to your friends? That’s the idea behind a new app, Instants, which is currently being tested in select markets.

Instants is Instagram’s bet on authentic sharing, an opportunity to share unfiltered moments. The app lets you take photos and videos and share them with friends, without editing, and the content disappears after 24 hours and can’t be edited. You’re only allowed to use the in-app camera, so you can’t upload anything from your phone’s camera roll. 

You’ll be able to share content with mutual followers and close friends. You can choose to share your Instants through Instagram or, if you prefer, only on the Instants app. 

Right now, Instants is an experiment by Meta, the parent company of Instagram. It’s rolling out in Spain and Italy, but there’s no timeline yet for when it’ll reach the US. 

“We’re exploring multiple versions of Instants to see what people like, and will listen to our community,” a Meta spokesperson told CNET.

This concept of sharing unfiltered images that disappear isn’t new. Similar features have appeared in apps like Snapchat and BeReal. It’s unclear how Instants will differ from these apps, but the company plans to continue testing it as a feature and incorporate user feedback. 

“We’re giving people multiple ways to use this feature, whether it’s on Instagram, or if they want a specific space dedicated just to Instants,” the Meta spokesperson said.

Meta continues to expand Instagram’s sub-apps. It already has Threads, a microblogging service similar to Twitter, and Edits, a video editing app.