How to Get Instagram for iPad

There's no Instagram iPad app, but you don't have to live without it

Updated on April 28, 2020

Although a specific Instagram app isn't available for iPad, and the Instagram app in the App Store is tailored towards the iPhone, you can still enjoy the complete IG experience on your iPad.

How to Download the Instagram iPhone App to Your iPad

To get started, you’ll first want to download the Instagram app from the App Store, even if it’s technically an iPhone or iPod Touch application.

Tap the App Store icon, located on your iPad Home Screen.
When the App Store interface appears, search for "Instagram."

While searching the App Store for Instagram you may need to modify the Supports value in the Filters menu if your initial search results are coming up empty.
Tap Get to download and install the official Instagram app.

How to Post to Instagram From Your iPad

Since you’ve installed the Instagram app you’ll now be able to post to IG right from the iOS Photos app.

Tap the Instagram icon, located on your iPad Home Screen.
When the Instagram app launches, follow the on-screen prompts to sign in to your IG account.

Since it’s not tailored for the iPad display, the Instagram app will only render in Portrait Mode. You may want to temporarily shift your tablet into the vertical position while using the app.
Once you’ve successfully logged into Instagram, return to the iPad Home Screen and open Photos.
When the Photos interface appears, navigate to the album or folder containing the image you wish to post to Instagram and tap it.
Tap the Share icon, represented by a square with an up arrow and located in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
The iOS Share Sheet should now be displayed, overlaying the bottom half of the screen. Tap More.
Scroll down, if necessary, and tap the Instagram toggle so it turns green (on).
Tap Done.
A new option should now be visible among the first row of icons in the Share Sheet. Tap Instagram.
An Instagram window will now appear, asking you to write a caption for the photo in question. Type your caption and hashtags, if desired, and tap Share.

You may be prompted to grant Instagram access to your photo library. You must agree to this request if you want to continue posting.
Your newly-shared post should now be visible on your Instagram profile.

How to Browse Instagram on Your iPad

While you could browse IG through the iPhone-specific app with its tiny window size and vertical-only layout, that’s far from ideal. You’re better off using a web browser like Safari, which can expand to provide something close to the full-screen experience that Instagram was intended for.

Open the browser of choice on your iPad and navigate to instagram.com.
Enter your credentials to log in.
Once you’ve signed in successfully, you’ll be able to browse IG posts, as well as Like, Bookmark, and comment as if you were using the app.

There are some notable limitations with the browser interface, such as the inability to post.

How to Add to Your Instagram Story

The process of adding an item to your Instagram Story on iPad is the same as doing so on your smartphone, via the app itself. However, the app does not support landscape orientation so you’ll need to do so with your tablet in Portrait mode.

Third-Party iPad Apps for Instagram

In addition to Instagram’s official app, there are third-party options like Buffer or Repost available in the App Store that let you view your IG feed in a custom interface. Some also allow you to share new posts.