What to know

  • Instagram now lets you post photos in a 3:4 aspect ratio, not just squares.
  • The update is available on the latest version of the Instagram mobile app.
  • This change allows for taller, rectangular photos in your feed.
  • Instagram says the update aims to give users more creative flexibility.

Instagram has updated its mobile app to support photos in a 3:4 aspect ratio. This means you can now upload images that are taller than the traditional square format. The update is rolling out to users on both iOS and Android devices.

Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) on Threads
Instagram now supports 3:4 aspect ratio photos – the format that almost every phone camera defaults to. From now on, if you upload a 3:4 image, it’ll now appear just exactly as you shot it.
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Previously, Instagram was known for its square photos, which defined the look of the platform for years. While the app later added support for landscape and portrait images, the main feed still focused on square or nearly-square formats. With this new update, you can post photos that are taller, giving you more options for how your images appear in your feed.

To use the new aspect ratio, you need to update your Instagram app to the latest version. When you upload a photo, you will see the option to select the 3:4 aspect ratio. This allows you to share images that better fit your original composition, especially if you take photos with your phone in portrait mode.

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Instagram says this change is designed to give users more creative flexibility. The company hopes that by supporting different photo shapes, people will find it easier to share the images they want without having to crop them to fit a square.

The update is now available to most users. If you do not see the new aspect ratio option, check for updates in your app store. Instagram plans to continue improving its photo sharing features based on user feedback.