How to Install Instagram

The first version of Instagram, which was available for download on October 6, 2010, was for iPhone users. It was a wise decision: The popularity of the iPhone combined with Instagram’s ease of use when it came to sharing photos resulted in more than one million registered Instagram users by the end of 2010. You can install the iPhone app not only on your iPhone but also on your iPad if you prefer to use your tablet.

Installing Instagram on an iPhone

It’s easy to download Instagram from the App Store to your iPhone:

1. Tap the App Store icon.
2. Tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap the Search icon in the lower-right corner of the screen.
4. Tap the Search box, at the top of the screen, and start typing the word Instagram.

   After you type the first few letters, Instagram appears at the top of the results list.

5. Tap Instagram in the results list.

   The app information appears on the screen.

   The Instagram app on an iPhone.
6. Tap Get.

   If you need to sign into the App Store, type your password in the Sign In to iTunes Store window and then tap Buy. (If you use Touch ID instead of typing your password, place the appropriate finger or thumb on the Home button.)

7. Tap Open.

The next time you want to open Instagram, swipe to the Home screen that has room for icons — because that’s where you’ll find the Instagram icon.

Installing Instagram on an iPad

Instagram has yet to create a native app for the iPad, which is another one of life’s great mysteries (but not at the level of where missing socks go). However, you can use the iPhone app on the iPad.

Here’s how to install Instagram on an iPad:

1. Tap the App Store icon.
2. Tap the Search icon in the lower-right corner of the screen.
3. Tap the Search box, at the top of the screen, and start typing the word Instagram.

   After you type the first two or three letters, Instagram appears at the top of the results list.

4. Tap Instagram in the results list.
5. In the upper-left corner of the screen, tap Supports.
6. Tap iPhone Only.
   Yes, tap iPhone only when you’re installing Instagram on your iPad.
7. Tap Get.
   The Instagram app is in the upper-left corner.

   If you need to sign into the App Store, type your password in the Sign In to iTunes Store window. Then tap Buy. Or, if you use Touch ID, place the appropriate finger or thumb on the Home button instead.

8. Tap Open.

Installing Instagram on an Android

After Instagram was satisfied with the development of its app on the iPhone, staffers turned their attention to developing Instagram for the Android platform. On the first day the app was released, in April 2012, more than a million users downloaded it.

Here’s how to install Instagram from the Google Play Store:

1. Tap the Play Store icon on the Home screen.

   If the Play Store icon isn’t on a Home screen, tap Apps on the Home screen and then tap Play Store in the Apps screen.

2. Tap the Search box at the top of the screen, and start typing the word Instagram.

   After you type, Instagram appears in the results list.

3. Tap Instagram in the results list.
   The app information screen appears.
   Tap Read More to (you guessed it) read more about Instagram.
4. Tap Install.
5. Tap Open.