Headlines
Instagram rolls out iPad app with Reels at the center to take on TikTok
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on September 3, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on September 3, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Instagram releases a new iPad app centered on Reels, enhancing user experience and competing with TikTok. Available globally on iPadOS 15.1.
(Reuters) -Instagram launched a dedicated iPad application on Wednesday, placing its short-form video feature Reels at the center of the redesigned interface as parent company Meta intensifies competition with TikTok.
The app addresses longstanding complaints about Instagram’s iPad experience, which previously required using a scaled-up iPhone version with blurry visuals and missing features.
The new app, available globally on devices running iPadOS 15.1 and later, opens directly to a Reels feed — a nod to what Instagram calls 'lean-back entertainment' — with Stories pinned at the top and one-tap access to messaging.
Reels, which accounts for more than 20% of time users spend on Instagram, represents a central pillar in Meta's strategy to boost engagement across its platforms in the competitive short-form video market.
The iPad app adds a Following tab with multiple viewing options, including recommended posts, content from mutual followers and chronological feeds. Users can reorder feed options to prioritize preferred content.
The interface supports multitasking layouts that show messages and notifications side by side, and lets comments expand without interrupting video playback.
The app is available for free on Apple’s App Store. Instagram said an optimized version for Android tablets will be released soon.
(Reporting by Kritika Lamba in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)
Reels is a short-form video feature on Instagram that allows users to create and share engaging video content, similar to TikTok, focusing on entertainment and user engagement.
iPadOS is the operating system designed specifically for Apple's iPad, providing features and functionalities optimized for the tablet experience.
User experience (UX) refers to the overall experience a user has when interacting with a product, particularly in terms of how easy and enjoyable it is to use.
Multitasking in apps allows users to run multiple applications or tasks simultaneously, enhancing productivity and user convenience.
The App Store is Apple's digital distribution platform for mobile applications, allowing users to browse, download, and install apps on their iOS devices.
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