Instagram Instants explained: New disappearing photo feature sparks Snapchat 2.0 reactions

Instagram launched a new feature, Instants, on Wednesday that will allow users to share unfiltered and spontaneous photos with mutual followers and close friends,

The best part is that these photos usually disappear after once viewed mode, but they can’t totally be removed, are saved in one’s private archive up to a year, thereby allowing one to reshare them as story recap later.

Instagram Instants features

Under this feature, the users can share totally raw or unfiltered images with the selected group of users for a limited time period. The feature is quite different from Instagram Stories, which can be available on a user's profile for 24 hours and can easily be viewed for indefinite time. Instants will allow the users to see the photo for once and after that it can be accessed.

The feature focuses exclusively on still images. For now, it does not support videos and filters.

Talking about the ephemerality, images disappear after viewing, but senders can unsend photos before the recipients open them. Screenshots are blocked by default, and users are not notified when someone sees their photos.

Meta spokespeople assured that the same safety tools and nudity bans used on Instagram apply to Instants.

It is available as a standalone app on iOS/Android and can be accessed through Instagram’s DM tab.

Steps to use Instagram Instants

Here are the steps to use Instants

• Open the Instagram application in mobile
• Go to the direct messages and tap the mini stack of photos in the bottom right corner
• Select the audience to whom you want to send the photo at the bottom of the screen. Various options are available, for instance, you can choose friends or close friends.
• After choosing preferable audience, snap an image
• The moment you send the photo it will appear in the Instants gallery for the audience members you selected
• When you open a conversation in Instagram’s Direct Messenger, the mini photo stack doesn't just show your own shots; it also includes Instants captured by the person you're chatting with.
• If one wants to delete an Instants image, tap the “undo” button that appears right after snapping it.

Snapchat 2.0 or something different?

Instagram Instants features also draw comparison from the users as they compare it with Snapchat, highlighting “one-viewed” features. The app is described as a conceptual successor to Snapchat’s original model.

But some tangible differences exist. The feature is designed to capture raw moments similar to BeReal, prohibiting filters, retouching and emphasizing ephemerality.

The disappearing real-time photos feature has also taken the internet by storm. One user wrote, “Instants is Instagram trying to bring back the raw, in-the-moment sharing that made Snapchat big - but inside your DMs.”

“It’s basically quick disposable pics for close friends without polluting your main feed or Stories. Smart move to fight the BeReal nostalgia while keeping people inside the app.”

Another wrote, “This thing sucks so bad. Snapchat sucks bro stop copying that degenerate bullshit.”

Some users saw this feature as a different one. One user commented on X, “The biggest shift here isn’t disappearing photos. It's making sharing feel low-pressure again.

“No edits + 24-hour expiry + close friends only could make people post more naturally instead of performing for the algorithm.”

“But the real challenge is making Instants feel meaningfully different from Stories, BeReal, and Snapchat in daily use.”