{"id":107760,"date":"2026-05-12T11:57:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T10:57:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/?p=107760"},"modified":"2026-05-12T11:57:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T10:57:12","slug":"instagram-ipad-app-reels-redesign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/instagram-ipad-app-reels-redesign\/","title":{"rendered":"Instagram backtracks on its controversial iPad app design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Image credits: 9to5Mac<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instagram is rolling back its Reels-first iPad experience just months after launch, bringing the app much closer to the familiar iPhone layout.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After 15 years of waiting, Instagram<\/a> finally launched a native iPad app<\/a> late last year. For plenty of creators and users, it felt long overdue. It offered a refreshed Instagram experience designed for the bigger iPad screen, with the most noticeable change dividing opinion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of mirroring the experience users already knew from iPhone, Instagram pushed a Reels-first layout on iPad. Open the app, and you\u2019ll see Reels on the usual Home feed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, it appears that Instagram is quietly backtracking on the iPad\u2019s Reels-first experience according to 9to5Mac<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instagram is moving away from its Reels-first iPad design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the iPad app originally launched, Instagram explained that the app was partly redesigned \u201cto reflect how people use bigger screens today – for lean back entertainment.\u201d Not to mention, it was also partly because Reels are now the main way people discover and share content on Instagram, so it made sense to become the focus of the iPad experience too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem? A lot of users simply wanted Instagram on iPad to feel\u2026 like Instagram. Take a look at Reddit <\/a>and you’ll see just how many people are happy with the change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Instagram finally launches an iPad app<\/a><\/blockquote>