Meta Platforms is internally developing a standalone app named Instants that enables users to send disappearing photos, positioning it as a competitor to Snapchat, according to Business Insider. A Meta spokesperson confirmed the internal prototype exists but is not under external testing.
Mobile developer Alessandro Paluzzi, recognized for reverse-engineering Instagram to expose unreleased features, first disclosed the Instants app on February 8. He shared a screenshot displaying the tagline “Share disappearing photos with friends.” This revelation highlights ongoing efforts within Meta to expand ephemeral messaging options beyond the core Instagram platform.
#Instagram is working on a standalone app for Instants/Quicksnap 👀 pic.twitter.com/d56vOeoGap
— Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) February 8, 2026
The Instants functionality operates in a limited form inside the main Instagram application. A Meta spokesperson stated it has undergone testing under names such as “Shots” and “Quicksnap” across select countries worldwide. Users access this by sending unedited photos directly through messages. These photos vanish immediately after being viewed and fully expire after 24 hours from dispatch. Restrictions apply: recipients must be mutual followers, and no filters or edits are permitted on the images.
Instagram introduced disappearing messaging tools in 2016, followed by Vanish Mode in 2020. Vanish Mode activates when users swipe up within direct message threads, causing messages to disappear after viewing. The proposed standalone Instants app diverges by isolating this ephemeral photo-sharing from Instagram’s primary feed and story ecosystem.
This development aligns with Meta’s history of adopting Snapchat features. Instagram Stories debuted in 2016, mirroring Snapchat’s core 24-hour disappearing posts that users share with selected audiences. Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel has publicly lampooned these efforts, altering his LinkedIn title to “VP Product @ Meta” in 2025 as a satirical nod to the imitation.
Meta has pursued multiple standalone applications recently. In 2023, it released Threads to challenge Twitter, alongside the Edits app for video editing and a dedicated Meta AI assistant app. The company also initiated testing for a standalone iteration of its AI video generation tool, Vibes, signaling a strategy to modularize specialized functionalities.
Instagram has shifted emphasis toward friend-to-friend communication tools. Reports indicate Meta draws inspiration from Snapchat’s approaches to interactions among close friends, emphasizing private, temporary sharing that fosters intimacy over public broadcasting.
