Hands-on With Instagram's IPad App: The Good, The Bad, And The Scrollable

James

3 min read

Post on Sep 04, 2025

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Hands-on with Instagram's iPad App: The Good, the Bad, and the Scrollable

Instagram's arrival on iPad has been a long time coming. For years, iPad users have felt left out of the photo-sharing party, relegated to a clunky, zoomed-in mobile version. But finally, the wait is over. We've spent some quality time with the new Instagram iPad app, and it's time to share our honest review, exploring the features that shine, the frustrations that linger, and the overall scrolling experience.

The Good: A Bigger, Better Instagram Experience

The most immediate and noticeable improvement is the sheer size and clarity. Viewing photos and videos on a larger screen is a game-changer, revealing details previously lost on smaller displays. The interface feels more spacious and less cluttered, making navigation a breeze. Scrolling through your feed, exploring Reels, and browsing stories feels significantly more comfortable and less cramped.

• Improved Image Quality: The larger screen showcases photos and videos with stunning clarity, enhancing the viewing experience.
• Enhanced Navigation: The intuitive layout makes navigating between different sections of the app effortless.
• Multitasking Capabilities: Split-screen functionality on iPadOS allows for seamless multitasking, letting you browse Instagram while simultaneously working on other tasks.

The Bad: Areas Needing Improvement

While the overall experience is vastly improved, several areas still require attention. The most significant drawback is the lack of full functionality parity with the iPhone app. While you can view and interact with most content, some features, like creating Reels with advanced editing tools, remain limited or absent.

• Limited Editing Tools: The editing options for photos and videos are less robust compared to the iPhone app. Advanced editing features seem to be missing.
• Missing Features: Several features found on the iPhone app are currently unavailable on the iPad version. This creates an uneven experience for users accustomed to the full range of iPhone functionalities.
• Initial Loading Issues: Some users have reported slow loading times and occasional glitches upon launch. These appear to be early adoption issues that hopefully will be addressed with updates.

The Scrollable: A Smooth(ish) Ride

The scrolling experience is generally smooth, but occasional minor lag is noticeable, particularly when viewing high-resolution images or videos. This might be due to the initial release and should hopefully improve with future software updates. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's noticeable enough to mention. The responsiveness is generally good, but could be optimized further.

Overall Verdict: A Promising Start, But Room to Grow

The Instagram iPad app represents a significant step forward for iPad users. The improved viewing experience and intuitive interface are undeniable improvements. However, the missing features and occasional performance issues prevent it from being a perfect replacement for the iPhone app. Instagram has laid a solid foundation, but there's still room for substantial improvements and feature additions to fully unlock the potential of the iPad experience.

Call to Action: Have you tried the new Instagram iPad app? Share your experiences and feedback in the comments below! Let's discuss what features you'd like to see added in future updates.

Keywords: Instagram iPad app, Instagram iPad, iPad Instagram, Instagram update, iPad app review, social media, photo sharing, iPadOS, Instagram features, Instagram Reels, Instagram photos, iPad productivity.