All I can say is that there were multiple good ones but Instagram crippled them, devs have repeatedly expressed their frustration and gave up practically. So no there is no frontend for Instagram that’s works anymore. Thanks meta!
this post was submitted on 02 Jan 2025
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What works best for me is the web version on desktop with an ad blocker. Runs relatively smoothly, no annoying ads.
The web version works without an account? That'd be news to me.
It works as long as you’re on an IP address that Meta approves. If you’re using a VPN (or even PiHole iirc) it doesn’t work.
So I have to use their malware on my phone when someone sends me a DM on there.
Yea tbf they released the web version as they crippled the third party stuff, so it’s a compromise I guess. And they could’ve also stayed app only and we would’ve been fucked completely
I saved and older post where this was mentioned: https://imginn.com/ Seems like it's still working and comments are available
I prefer to use alternatives instead of front ends for Instacrap, eg. Pixelfed (OpenSource, federated and decentralized)
Well that doesn't solve their problem at all
I am more interested a self hosted Instagram solutions. I wish immich supports comments and emoji.
As a dev, I think of the potentially years of work wasted on clients for corporate services who could pull the rug out from under you at any moment. Poof, years of labor in the trash.
I'll never understand people writing apps / clients for them.
I did not find any.
I am using beeper (partially open source) for the direct messages and I am using myinsta (apk mod) to remove the reels, explorer and ads from the default client
Enshitification made third-party apps disappeared. Prefer true open source project instead like Pixelfed for example.
Open source? Probably not, but the new instander beta (only available on telegram) is really promising and works well.
I'm not an IT person but I use instagram lite and Facebook lite (which has built in messenger) on android to save data and make it less addictive. I just download the apk. Is there a better way?
Isn't Facebook lite dead?
It works for me still, it's just not on play store
There isn't a functional open source frontend that I'm aware of, the best you can get is modded like MyInsta or Instaflow (or Revanced if you want open source mods)
I thought the revanced projects were dead/took back by a shady group ?
no they're chill, but Instagram only has one patch to block story ads so it's not much good
So what is the preferred way to access those apps now if you don't mind ?
On Telegram, MyInsta is "instasmash", Instaflow is "instaflowupdates"
Thank you very much