Instagram’s newly introduced “Instants” feature has quickly become a major talking point online, with many users complaining about accidental photo sharing and cluttered inboxes. The feature, which resembles apps like Snapchat and BeReal, allows users to send disappearing photos directly through Instagram’s DM section.
The feature appears as a small photo stack icon in the bottom-right corner of the Instagram inbox. Once opened, users can instantly click and send temporary photos to friends or close friends. However, several users online claimed the interface is confusing and can accidentally send images before people fully understand how it works.
How to disable Instagram Instants
Users can completely hide the feature from their inbox through Instagram settings. The process is relatively simple:
Open Instagram and go to your profile
Tap the three-line menu in the top-right corner
Open “Content Preferences”
Find the option called “Hide Instants in Inbox”
Toggle it on to disable the feature
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Once enabled, users will no longer see Instants in their inbox or receive Instants from others.
Temporary mute option also available
For people who do not want to disable the feature permanently, Instagram also offers a temporary mute option. Users can press and hold the Instants stack in their inbox and swipe right to temporarily hide it.
Privacy concerns and accidental sharing
A major reason behind the backlash is that Instants reportedly sends photos immediately after capture, which has led some users to accidentally share unintended pictures. Reports noted that the default audience setting is often “Friends,” meaning photos may reach more people than expected if users do not manually change the audience before sending.
Instagram does provide an “Undo” button after sending an Instant, allowing users to retract a photo before recipients open it. Users can also delete Instants from their archive to unsend them if they remain unopened.
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Social media reactions
The rollout has received mixed reactions online. While some users liked the idea of spontaneous photo sharing, many others criticised the feature for making Instagram unnecessarily complicated. Reddit discussions were filled with complaints calling the update “annoying” and “intrusive.”
Some users also raised concerns that the feature sits prominently inside the DM section, increasing the chances of accidental taps and unintended uploads.
Instagram launched Instants globally on May 13 as part of its effort to encourage more casual and real-time sharing on the platform. The company said the feature is designed for sharing authentic everyday moments with close friends and mutual followers.
