Instagram Now Supports Photo Uploads From Mobile Site

Instagram made a major change to its service recently, allowing photo uploads from its mobile site for the first time. When accessing the Instagram website on an iPhone or iPad, there's now a new photo upload button.

Prior to the update, Instagram only allowed photo uploads from its mobile apps, and the iOS app is limited to the iPhone, so iPad users were forced to download an iPhone-only app with an unoptimized layout to upload photos to the social network.

The Instagram website on mobile devices was previously only available for browsing photos, liking content, searching, and viewing notifications, but now it's possible to upload photos. A new Explore tab is also rolling out on the web.

In a statement to TechCrunch, Instagram said it's designed to help people "have a fuller experience" on the social network. TechCrunch points out that the mobile upload feature is vital for Instagram's global growth, as many people in developing countries may not be able to download the app due to cellular connectivity and data concerns.

"Instagram.com (accessed from mobile) is a web experience optimized for mobile phones. It's designed to help people have a fuller experience on Instagram no matter what device or network they are on."

Photo uploads are only available when the Instagram mobile site is accessed from an iPhone, iPad, or other smartphone or tablet. The desktop site does not allow for photo uploads.

Tag: Instagram

Top Rated Comments

dan9700

83 months ago

Why dont they just make the app work on ipad like everyother app durrrr

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

AlexH

spoof user agent?

Just tested it, and it works just fine. Only issue is figuring out how to crop an image...

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jamisonbaines

Userbase on iPad might be so low it's not worth the effort for an iPad native app. A hurrr de hurr duuur duurrr.

There should be approximately zero iPad apps by that logic.

Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

what do you mean crop an image? Use Paint, or Fotor's crop tool ('http://www.fotor.com/app.html#!module/basic/tool/BasicEdits') which let's you choose an aspect ratio and crop without distortion, it's wonderful

I'm talking about the ability to crop & adjust the aspect ratio within Instagram. When I trick the mobile site into thinking my Mac is an iPad, the ability to edit the aspect ratio and crop is gone. Just noting it. I'm aware of the process for making those edits before uploading.

OldSchoolMacGuy

We'll see a bunch of services now use this as a way to upload photos. Keep in mind that this will violate the Instagram TOS and may result in your account being suspended or banned. These services will likely be shutdown too as we've seen happen to some lately. It also means sending your login and password off to a 3rd party and hoping they're good enough to secure it. No thanks.

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