Quietly embedded within recent code updates, a new photo-sharing concept from Meta is beginning to surface. The company is experimenting with an app called Instants, designed around sending images that vanish shortly after being viewed.
Instants was discovered by developer Alessandro Paluzzi while analysing Instagram’s code. Meta has clarified that the app is currently an internal prototype and is not yet available to the public.
According to details found in the code, Instants will allow users to send photos that disappear either immediately after being opened or within 24 hours. To exchange photos, both users must follow each other. Once a photo is sent, it cannot be edited, adding to the app’s focus on temporary and unchangeable content.
Meta has explored similar ideas before. The company previously tested a feature called Shots within Instagram’s main app in select countries. While that experiment did not expand globally, Instants appears to build on the same concept with a standalone approach.
The app closely resembles Snapchat’s disappearing photo format and also extends Instagram features such as Vanish Mode and disappearing direct messages. Instants aligns with Meta’s recent strategy of launching separate apps to offer more focused experiences. Previous examples include Threads and Edits.
With Instants, Meta seems to be targeting users who value privacy, simplicity, and short-lived interactions. The project also reflects a broader effort to keep its social platforms fresh while experimenting with new ways people share moments online.
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