Instagram is testing a new feature for its iPhone app that allows users to access Story Camera directly from the lock screen. The feature is a widget that acts as a shortcut that takes users chile b2b leads directly to the Story Camera within the Instagram app. The widget is available in the latest Instagram app for iPhone.
Our Take: Instagram recently tested a lock screen widget that opens the Stories Camera directly, which is a clear sign of the platform’s increasing focus on private sharing and the growing importance of Instagram Stories. The platform prioritizes convenience and speed for users who regularly share their moments through Stories, allowing users to access Stories Camera without having to unlock their phone.
The development is in line with the views of Instagram head Adam Mosseri, who has repeatedly emphasized users' preference for more private sharing and the importance of Stories as a communication tool. The fact that IG created a widget specifically for Stories, rather than for posting to the main feed or Reels, speaks volumes about the weight and importance of Stories in the platform.
From a design perspective, it's interesting to consider the deliberate choice to limit the functionality of the widget to Stories. The Instagram team may have carefully considered whether to include the option of regular posts and carousel posts, but ultimately decided to focus solely on Stories. The decision underscores the central role of Stories in the IG ecosystem and how users interact with the platform.