Instagram Updated With 'Instagram Direct' Private Photo and Video Sharing - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Instagram Updated With 'Instagram Direct' Private Photo and Video Sharing

by

Instagram for iOS has been updated to version 5.0, adding the company's Instagram Direct feature that was announced this morning. Instagram Direct is designed to allow users to send photo and video messages to private groups.

The update brings a new icon to the top right corner of the home feed, which includes an inbox listing photos and videos that have been sent to each user. Photos can be privately sent by selecting a new option to send a "Direct" photo to one or more people. Direct photos include read receipts, along with support for commenting and likes.

instagramdirect
While photos and videos sent from followed users will appear automatically in an inbox, other Direct images from non-followed users will appear as a request that can be accepted or denied.

Along with direct photos, Instagram 5.0 also includes bug fixes and performance enhancements.

Introducing Instagram Direct!

We're excited to introduce Instagram Direct, a new way to send photo and video messages to your friends.

Now you'll see a new icon in the top right corner of your home feed. Tap it to see photos and videos that people have sent directly to you.

To send your own photos or videos, choose Direct instead of Followers once you've edited your post. When you're done editing, just choose the people you want to share with.

Today’s update also includes bug fixes and performance improvements

Instagram can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

160 months ago
Man. Just the other day I was thinking, "IF ONLY there were some way to directly send a friend a picture or video from my phone!"
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
160 months ago
Private ... LMAO

Does anybody in their right mind actually believe this is private?
Post PC era = end of privacy
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
160 months ago
Instagram is cross-platform. That's the beauty over brand or device type specific services; i.e. iMessage and text messages, respectfully.
Thanks, Debbie... :D:p But so is email!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Wednesday March 18, 2026 7:39 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another six months or so, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component...
ios 26 4 yellow

Here Are Apple's Release Notes for iOS 26.4

Wednesday March 18, 2026 11:56 am PDT by
Apple provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate versions of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, which means we're going to see a public launch as soon as next week. The RC versions of the software include Apple's official release notes, giving us final details on what's included in the update. Apple Music - Playlist Playground (beta) generates a playlist from your...
Apple Logo Sketch Feature

Apple Has Now Unveiled Eight New Products This Month

Tuesday March 17, 2026 9:25 am PDT by
Apple has unveiled a whopping eight new products so far this March, including an iPhone 17e, iPad Air models with the M4 chip, MacBook Air models with the M5 chip, MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the all-new MacBook Neo, an updated Studio Display, a higher-end Studio Display XDR, and now the AirPods Max 2 this week. iPhone 17e features the same overall design as the iPhone...
Related Apple News: Iphone | Travel | Health | South Africa | News