Meta launches Instants, a new iPhone app and Instagram feature for ephemeral sharing

Meta has launched Instants, a new ephemeral photo-sharing feature on Instagram and a companion iPhone app.

Users can post unedited photos to close friends or mutual followers; the images disappear after being viewed, with replies going to DMs.

Photos can be archived for up to a year and reshared to Stories, while teen accounts get added safety controls.

The rollout is broader inside Instagram, while the standalone app is available only in select countries for now.