Jason Hiner/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Meta just announced a native app version of Instagram for iPadOS 15.1 and later. The app is free and available in the App Store now. It looks different than the mobile version, with some interesting ways to curate your feed. At long last, you can now scroll Instagram on your iPad. After years of requests by iPad users, it will be available in the App Store for iPadOS 15.1 and later starting September 3rd, 2025. It's an obvious update that takes advantage of the iPad's large screen, as previously iPad users were forced to use the mobile version or open Instagram in a browser, a notoriously clunky experience. Also: Apple's new chatbot reportedly rolls out ahead of iPhone 17 - but it's not for you The tablet version is custom-built for the device's proportions, although it does look a bit different than the mobile version. Instagram really wants to highlight Reels -- the platform's short-form video content to rival TikTok -- so when you open the app on an iPad, it goes straight to the Reels page. Meta's official press release cites the iPad's form factor for this choice, saying "we've redesigned the experience to reflect how people use bigger screens today -- for lean back entertainment." Meta While this may be true, it's also a smart move on Meta's part to include more users in the app with an emphasis on short-form videos that could tap into TikTok's content market share. It's no surprise, since Instagram has been investing heavily in the format over the past few years -- even playing with the idea of making a standalone app. For now, though, the large screen on a tablet affords more breathing room for content, moving comments to the left of photo posts, and to the right of Reels, which display a lot more in one glance to reduce the amount of scrolling and clicks. Besides the emphasis on Reels, the Instagram app for iPadOS features some improvements to feed curation. There's a new vertical UI menu to allow content to occupy the entire display, including a "Following" tab, which narrows down your feed to posts from accounts you follow. Also: Want a folding iPhone? Apple is making a bigger bet than ever that you will next year Tapping the "All" tab will show the default feed with suggested content, and the "Latest" tab arranges posts in chronological order. Apple acknowledges that users have long requested these features, as the app's current mobile version offers very few ways to curate your feed. Additionally, your DMs will look a lot like Meta's Messages app, with familiar blue bubbles and a much larger display for more message content at a glance without the need to scroll. Meta Even more interesting, the new tablet version of Instagram isn't limited to the iPad. Meta stated in the official release that an Android version of the app will also be available soon, though no specific date was mentioned. Instagram's success has propelled it past the likes of Facebook, so it makes sense for Meta to invest in versions of the app that are optimized for devices beyond the smartphone. The tablet version also makes a good testing ground for the new feed features, so they could potentially be rolled out to the mobile app in the near future.