Instagram Testing Tap-to-Advance Instead of Scrolling Through Posts - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Instagram Testing Tap-to-Advance Instead of Scrolling Through Posts

by

Instagram is testing a new way of navigating through posts – by tapping through them, just like users tap through Stories.

The new navigation system sees users tapping the sides of the screen instead of scrolling up and down with their finger to advance forwards and backwards between posts, which can get tiring after a while.

instagram tap to advance


It also means users always see media full-screen rather than having to adjust the view with a finger scroll to see the entire post. It's a navigation method that was first used by Snapchat, a platform Instagram isn't shy of taking cues from.

Instagram confirmed to TechCrunch that it is testing tap-to-advance in the Explore tab with a small number of users, who were presented with a pop-up in the app explaining the change.

As for whether the system could be adopted for the main feed, a spokesperson for Instagram said that wasn't something it was actively thinking about at the moment.

Tag: Instagram

Top Rated Comments

arkhanjel Avatar
arkhanjel
101 months ago
Meh. What would go over way better with users is making the feed chronological again.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrJeffreyGee Avatar
MrJeffreyGee
101 months ago
Sooo instead of thumb fatigue... You get tap fatigue. Now if only they come up with something for ad fatigue.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H
HacKage
101 months ago
It also means that along with real posts always taking up the full screen, adverts will also take up the full screen and wont be able to just be quickly flicked past when you work out that they are placed every 5 posts.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G
Goldex
101 months ago
Can't they make the full post stick 'magnetically'?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mollyc Avatar
mollyc
101 months ago
As a photographer, I engage with a lot of people on IG - it's the perfect platform for photographers. I never watch the IG TV and only rarely the stories (and then only select accounts). I miss the days where my IG feed was just a collection of lovely photos and inspiration.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
R
rotax
101 months ago
OMG Twitter allows more characters .... Instagram allows tap to advance! OMG

The technology is astounding. The Human factors advances are groundbreaking. Really? this is news that anyone cares about?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

meta ai

Meta's New AI Image Tool Can Use Your Public Instagram Photos by Default

Wednesday July 8, 2026 1:52 pm PDT by
Meta is rolling out a new feature that lets people use public Instagram posts and reels to generate AI content, and it's turned on by default. If you have an Instagram account that's not set to private, there is a setting allowing anyone to generate content on Meta AI using your images and videos. The option was added to support Meta's new image generation model, Muse Image. Muse Image is...
Read Full Article • 68 comments
meta logo new%402x

EU: Facebook and Instagram's Infinite Scroll May Break Digital Rules

Friday July 10, 2026 5:37 am PDT by
Meta has been warned by the European Commission that its endlessly scrolling Facebook and Instagram feeds may violate the EU's new Digital Services Act rules. In preliminary findings published on Friday, the Commission said that its investigation into features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and highly personalized recommender systems, found that Meta "did not...
Read Full Article • 244 comments
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 6 U.S. States

Thursday July 9, 2026 7:29 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. To set up the feature, open the Wallet app on the iPhone and tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, tap on Driver's License and ID Cards,...
Read Full Article