The Complete Guide to Updating Instagram in 2024

Wondering how to update Instagram on your iPhone or Android device? With over 1 billion monthly active Instagrammers, keeping the app updated is essential to access new features and optimize performance.

In this detailed guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about updating Instagram in 2024, including:

• Easy step-by-step instructions for manual and automatic updates
• Expert insight on why updating regularly is crucial
• 10 tips to optimize Instagram after updating
• Answers to the most common Instagram update FAQs

Let‘s dive in and get you Instagramming like a pro!

A Quick Look at Instagram‘s Rise

Before we get into the how-tos, let‘s briefly explore Instagram‘s growth. Instagram launched in October 2010 and was acquired by Facebook in 2012.

Here are some key stats about Instagram‘s meteoric rise:

• Over 1 billion monthly active users – that‘s almost 4x more than in 2016
• 500 million+ daily active Instagram Stories users – Stories launched in 2016
• Over 100 million photos & videos shared per day
• 90% of Instagram users are younger than 35 – a young, highly engaged audience
• 71% of US businesses use Instagram – hugely popular for brands & influencers

With such massive growth in users and usage, regularly updating Instagram is critical to access new features that accommodate this expanding user base.

Now let‘s dive into the details on updating your Instagram app.

Manually Updating Instagram Step-by-Step

While automatic updates make life easy, it‘s good to know how to manually update Instagram as well. Here are simple step-by-step instructions for both iOS and Android:

How to Manually Update Instagram on iPhone

1. Open the App Store app. You can find it on your home screen or search for it.
2. Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner. This takes you to your account.
3. Scroll down and tap Available Updates. This shows apps with updates ready.
4. Look for Instagram – if an update is available, you‘ll see "Update" next to it.
5. Tap Update next to Instagram to begin downloading the latest version.
6. If prompted, enter your App Store password or use Touch ID/Face ID. This authorizes the update.
7. Once the update finishes downloading, you may need to reopen Instagram for changes to fully take effect.

And that‘s all there is to it! Just a few quick taps gets your iPhone‘s Instagram app updated.

How to Manually Update Instagram on Android

Updating Instagram manually on Android is very similar:

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your device. You can find it in your apps or search.
2. Tap the hamburger menu icon in the top left corner – it looks like three horizontal lines.
3. In the menu that pops up, tap My apps & games. This shows your installed apps.
4. Under "Updates available", look for Instagram and tap Update.
5. The latest Instagram update will start downloading.
6. Once the update finishes, open Instagram for changes to fully take effect.

Following these simple steps lets you manually update Instagram on your Android device to get all the latest features and improvements.

And that‘s really all there is to updating Instagram manually on both major mobile platforms. It just takes a few taps and a few minutes of download time.

Now let‘s look at the even easier option – enabling auto updates.

How To Enable Automatic Instagram Updates

While manually updating Instagram is easy enough, enabling automatic updates makes the process completely hands-off. Your Instagram app will update itself in the background as soon as a new version is released.

Here is how to enable auto updates for Instagram:

Enable Auto Instagram Updates on iPhone

1. Open the App Store and tap your profile icon.
2. Scroll down to Automatic Downloads and tap it.
3. Turn on App Updates by tapping the toggle switch on.
4. Choose if updates download over WiFi only or cellular data too.

Now Instagram will auto update over WiFi/cellular based on your settings.

Enable Auto Instagram Updates on Android

1. Open the Play Store and tap the hamburger menu.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Tap Auto-update apps.
4. Select Auto-update apps at any time or Auto-update apps over Wi-Fi only.
5. Toggle Auto-update on.

That‘s it! Instagram will now automatically update on your Android device based on your chosen settings.

Enabling auto updates ensures you get all of Instagram‘s latest features and improvements without having to think about it. Highly recommended!

Next, let‘s explore why keeping Instagram updated really matters.

Why You Should Always Update Instagram

Beyond just accessing new filters and features, there are crucial reasons why regularly updating Instagram is important:

Unlock New Features

• Instagram is releasing fresh features all the time. Just in the past year, we‘ve seen:
  • Reels – Instagram‘s TikTok competitor
  • Live Rooms – go Live with up to 4 people
  • Shop tabs – shop products from creators
  • Scheduling posts – schedule content ahead of time

  Updating gives you immediate access to innovations like these as soon as they launch.

Enjoy Performance Improvements

• Updates often contain under-the-hood changes to improve speed and reliability. For example:
  • Optimizing image compression – makes browsing feeds faster
  • Reducing battery drain – improves background app behavior
  • Fixing video playback issues – smoother watching experiences
  • Improving search algorithms – helps you find relevant content faster

  Updating keeps Instagram running as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Get Crucial Security Patches

• Developers are constantly working to patch vulnerabilities and fix bugs. Some examples:
  • Plugging holes used for account hacking
  • Removing abusive comment abilities
  • Encrypting data and traffic
  • Strengthening password requirements

Updating gives you all the latest security enhancements to keep your account safe. Don‘t put your privacy at risk!

Avoid Annoying Issues & Bugs

• Bugs and issues are squashed with app updates, such as:
  • Fixing crashes when using certain features
  • Stopping notification spam
  • Correcting laggy feed loading
  • Removing glitches that disrupt the app

  Stay updated to avoid frustrations and problems while using Instagram.

Ensure Full Instagram Compatibility

• After some time, outdated Instagram versions may become completely unsupported, leading to:
  • Certain features no longer working
  • Login and account problems
  • Difficulty loading content
  • Broken notifications

  Regular updates prevent any version-related issues.

Simply put, updating provides the optimal Instagram experience with maximum features, speed, security and reliability. Stay current!

10 Tips for Instagram After Updating

Here are our top 10 tips for making sure Instagram runs smoothly after updating:

1. Restart your device – this ensures changes fully take effect.
2. Update only over WiFi – app updates can consume large amounts of mobile data.
3. Update at night – avoid disruptions by updating when you don‘t need Instagram open.
4. Check auto-update settings – confirm it‘s still enabled after major updates.
5. Troubleshoot issues – reinstall Instagram if problems persist after an update.
6. Update your operating system – keep your iOS or Android OS version current as well.
7. Clear cache occasionally – helps keep Instagram running fast and efficiently.
8. Delete old content – remove unused photos and videos to free up space for updates.
9. Report bugs – use Instagram‘s built-in reporting so developers can squash issues.
10. Provide app feedback – give your input on updates to help improve Instagram.

Following these tips will maximize your Instagram experience after taking the time to update.

Answering Your Instagram Update FAQs

Let‘s tackle some frequently asked questions about updating Instagram:

Does Instagram Still Support Old Versions?

In most cases, no. Instagram regularly stops supporting older app versions entirely. It‘s crucial to update as soon as possible to avoid losing feature access or account issues.

Do All Devices Get Instagram Updates?

iOS and Android devices get priority for major feature updates. More limited updates may come to Windows 10, MacOS, and the web over time.

Will Updating Instagram Delete My Data?

Absolutely not! Updating just replaces the app files. Your account, photos, videos, messages and followers will never be affected by an update.

Why Does Auto-Update Sometimes Fail?

Auto-updates can fail due to connection problems, low device storage, compatibility issues, or background app refreshing being disabled. Try updating manually if auto-update fails repeatedly.

Should I Uninstall and Reinstall Instagram to Update?

No! Simple app store updates are best, as uninstalling/reinstalling could cause data loss. Only reinstall as a last resort if updating does not fix a major issue.

How Do I Disable Auto Instagram Updates?

On iPhone, toggle App Updates to the off position in App Store settings. On Android, toggle Auto-update to off in Google Play Store settings.

How Big Are Instagram Updates?

Update sizes vary, but most changes come in under 100MB. Having plenty of free device storage is important to ensure you can download Instagram updates when released.

Is It Safe to Update Instagram While It‘s Open?

It‘s best to fully close Instagram before updating. Updating while Instagram is open in the background can sometimes cause crashes or other issues.

I‘m Having Update Issues – What Should I Do?

First, try updating manually if auto-update fails. Check you have enough storage space too. If issues persist, report them directly to Instagram via in-app support.

How Frequently Does Instagram Release Updates?

On average, 1-2 updates per month. Critical bug fix updates may come more frequently. Generally, expect a big update every 2-3 months with notable new features.

Hopefully these answers help solve any questions you have around keeping Instagram updated!

To Sum It All Up…

Updating Instagram regularly on your iPhone, Android, or other devices ensures you always have the latest features and optimizations.

The key points to remember are:

• Enable auto-updates for hands-off updating
• Manually update occasionally as a backup
• Update for essential security, performance, and feature access
• Follow our tips for ideal Instagram operation
• Don‘t be afraid to reach out to Instagram support if issues arise

Keeping your Instagram current takes just a few minutes and taps, but pays off tremendously in the long run.

Now get out there, update your Instagram, and start sharing more amazing photo and video content with all of your followers!