Instagram may soon launch Messenger-style standalone app for messaging, Direct

Instagram is currently testing a new standalone messaging app that will replace the current inbox, which is referred to as Direct. The app is available on Android and iOS in six countries - Chile, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, and Uruguay. This will be the company’s third chat tool alongside the popular WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

Instagram Vice President Kevin Weil announced the plan via a tweet and said, “With hundreds of millions of people using Instagram Direct, today we're announcing a test of a standalone Direct app. It's fast, visual, and super fun. Only in six countries to start but can't wait for you all to try it.”

With hundreds of millions of people using Instagram Direct, today we're announcing a test of a standalone Direct app. It's fast, visual, and super fun. Only in six countries to start but can't wait for you all to try it. https://t.co/oqn18LiOmT

— Kevin Weil (@kevinweil) December 7, 2017

In terms of functionality, the Direct app will open the camera in the same way Snapchat does. It features a number of filters, none of which are currently available within Instagram Stories. Also, if you install Direct, the inbox disappears from the Instagram app and can only be accessed in the messaging app respectively.

In conversation with The Verge, an Instagram Product Manager Hemal Shah, he said, “We want Instagram to be a place for all of your moments, and private sharing with close friends is an important part of that. Direct has grown within Instagram over the past four years, but we can make it even better if it stands on its own. We can push the boundaries to create the fastest and most creative space for private sharing when Direct is a camera-first, standalone app.”

Parent company Facebook followed the same suit in 2014 when it launched Messenger and eliminated private messaging from its mobile app. In April this year, Instagram reportedly had 375 million users.