Meta is quietly working on a new idea that could reshape how users share short-lived content. The company is reportedly developing a standalone app called Instants, designed to let people send and receive disappearing photos and videos, putting it in direct competition with Snapchat’s core offering.
According to reports, Meta has confirmed that Instants currently exists as an internal prototype. The app is not being tested publicly and remains limited to internal development. Its main focus is ephemeral communication, allowing users to share photos that vanish after being viewed.
The app’s existence was highlighted by mobile developer Alessandro Paluzzi, who is known for reverse-engineering apps. He discovered references to Instants on Instagram’s “Also from Meta” page, where it was described as a tool to share disappearing photos with friends.
In addition to the standalone app, Meta is also said to be testing a feature within Instagram that carries the same name. Previously called Shots, this feature is reportedly available as a limited test in “some countries globally”. A Meta spokesperson confirmed that this feature is being evaluated internally.
As per reports, the Instants feature on Instagram allows users to send disappearing media directly through their DM inbox. The shared photo disappears once opened and automatically expires after 24 hours. Instagram reportedly states that Instants can only be sent to “followers you follow back” and that the content cannot be edited.
This is not Meta’s first attempt at experimenting with disappearing messages. Instagram already supports similar tools such as “View Once” and Vanish Mode, which allow photos, videos, and messages to disappear after a set time.
The development of Instants signals Meta’s continued push toward strengthening ephemeral communication on its platforms. However, the company has not confirmed whether the app or feature will see a wider rollout. Like many internal projects, Instants may remain a prototype or be limited to small-scale testing.
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