Meta may be preparing another push into Snapchat’s core territory, ephemeral messaging. This is an area where Instagram has historically borrowed heavily from its rival’s playbook. Over the years, features such as Stories and disappearing messages have all drawn comparisons between the two platforms. Now, a new report suggests Meta is once again exploring ways to narrow that gap with a fresh experiment centred on vanishing photos and videos.
According to a report by Business Insider, Meta is developing a standalone prototype app internally, reportedly called ‘Instants’, that would let users send and receive disappearing media. A Meta spokesperson is said to have confirmed that the project exists, though it is currently limited to internal development. The app isn’t being tested publicly yet. The concept closely mirrors the core premise that defines Snapchat, which is quick, casual sharing that disappears after being viewed.
#Instagram is working on a standalone app for Instants/Quicksnap 👀 pic.twitter.com/d56vOeoGap
— Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) February 8, 2026
References to the app were also spotted by app reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, who is known for regularly discovering unreleased Instagram features. Paluzzi found mentions of “Instants” on the “Also from Meta” section within Instagram. The listing described it as a way to share disappearing photos with friends, suggesting Meta may be evaluating whether the idea works better as a separate experience rather than just another feature inside Instagram.
At the same time, Meta has also been testing a new feature called ‘Shots’ with select users. This feature also works like Snapchat, where you can instantly send photos to people who can view them only once, and cannot be edited as well. Also, the photos disappear after the receiver has viewed them. The report adds that Shots will now be renamed to Instants and available to users in select regions for testing. The whole idea behind Instants is meant to be used in a close circle where photos and videos can be sent only to followers you follow back.
The move fits into a broader pattern for Instagram, which has repeatedly introduced features that echo Snapchat’s strengths in ephemeral communication. The platform already supports vanishing content through tools like “View Once” photos and videos on WhatsApp, and Vanish Mode in DMs, both designed to encourage more private, fleeting interactions. A dedicated Instants experience, whether as a feature or a separate app, would signal that Meta still sees value in doubling down on this behaviour.
Meta itself has a long track record of experimenting with standalone apps and features, some of which, like Threads, eventually evolve into full products, while others quietly disappear. If Instants progresses beyond the prototype stage, it could bring Instagram even closer to Snapchat in terms of how it handles private, disappearing media. For now, however, Meta has not confirmed any rollout plans or whether the concept will remain a feature within Instagram or emerge as a separate app.
Snapchat, as a standalone app, boasts around 946 million monthly users, while Instagram mammoths with over 2 billion monthly users. Despite the steep lead, it’s clear that Instagram (Meta) isn’t done competing and still wants to build on the experience that Snapchat provides.
