Instagram is testing a new image-sharing app called ‘Instants’, the company confirmed to TechCrunch on Thursday. The app, which is currently available in Spain and Italy, allows users to share disappearing photos that can only be viewed once and are available for 24 hours.

With Instants, users capture a photo with a single tap, without any editing options. The app does not permit uploads from the camera roll and only allows content to be captured and shared via the in-app camera. While it is possible to add text to these ‘instants’, the photos themselves cannot be altered further.

Unlike Instagram, which has become known for curated, polished content, Instants is designed for quick, real-life snapshots. The app takes inspiration from platforms such as Snapchat, Locket, and BeReal, focusing on authentic and temporary content. It is also worth noting that Instagram has been testing Instants as a feature within the standard Instagram app in certain regions prior to this launch. Users can opt to use Instants either within the main Instagram app or as a standalone application.

“To offer people a low-pressure way to connect with friends, we’re testing an app called Instants for sharing casual photos and videos in the moment,” an Instagram spokesperson said in a statement. “We are exploring multiple versions of Instants to understand what people prefer and will listen to our community.”

Instants allows users to share content with their mutual followers or their Close Friends list, with these lists being consistent across both Instagram and Instants. The app is available for download on iOS and Android.

While Instagram started as a platform for friends to share personal content, it has gradually become more impersonal with the rise of ads and influencer-driven content. By launching a new app aimed at casual, “in the moment” sharing, Instagram appears to be attempting to return to its roots while also responding to competition from platforms that focus on ephemeral sharing and intimate interactions.

However, Instagram may be somewhat late to capitalise on the trend of unfiltered photo sharing, as BeReal’s popularity has waned. Moreover, many users already turn to Instagram Stories, the app’s feature inspired by Snapchat, for quick, informal sharing, which may lead some to question the need for a separate app. Given these factors, it will be interesting to see how Instants evolves.