How to Download Instagram on Apple Watch

This post was most recently updated on September 30th, 2023

How to Download Instagram on Apple Watch

Instagram is one of the most popular social media apps in the world. With more than 1 billion active users and 400 million daily active users, it’s hard not to see why. Instagram has also launched an Apple Watch feature that allows you to view your feed on your wrist.

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But what exactly does this mean for your Instagram experience? We’ll show you how to download Instagram on your Apple watch so you can get started with everything that comes with being an Instagram user!

Prerequisites for Downloading Instagram on Apple Watch

Before you can get Instagram on your Apple Watch, there are a couple of requirements that must be met:

You Need an iPhone

Instagram is not available as a standalone app for the Apple Watch. To use Instagram on your Apple Watch, you need to first have an iPhone paired to your Apple Watch. So if you only have the Apple Watch but no iPhone, Instagram cannot be used.

The iPhone needs to be running iOS 12 or later. Usually, you want the latest iOS version installed for best performance.

Your Apple Watch Needs watchOS 6 or Later

To run Instagram, your Apple Watch needs to have watchOS 6 or newer version installed. Older watchOS versions do not support Instagram.

To check your watchOS version, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and go to General > Software Update. If needed, update your Apple Watch to the latest watchOS.

Have a Working WiFi or Cellular Connection

To use Instagram seamlessly on your Apple Watch, you need a stable internet connection. This can either be through a WiFi network or via the cellular plan on your Apple Watch.

If you have an LTE-enabled Apple Watch with cellular connectivity, you can use Instagram anywhere, without needing your iPhone nearby. For other models, ensure your Apple Watch is connected to WiFi.

How to Download Instagram on Apple Watch

Once you meet the requirements above, downloading Instagram on your Apple Watch takes just a few simple steps:

Step 1: Update Apps on iPhone

First, ensure that both the Instagram app and Apple Watch app are updated to their latest version on your iPhone.

To update an app:

• Go to the App Store on your iPhone
• Tap your profile icon on the top right
• Scroll down and tap Update next to Instagram to update it
• Also update the Apple Watch app if needed

Step 2: Install the App on Apple Watch

Now it’s time to install Instagram onto your Apple Watch:

• Open the Watch app on your iPhone
• Go to the My Watch tab
• Scroll down and tap Available Apps
• Find Instagram in the list and tap Install

It may take a few minutes for Instagram to fully install on your Apple Watch.

Step 3: Sign in on Apple Watch

Once Instagram finishes installing, you need to sign into the app on your Apple Watch:

• Press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch to open the app screen
• Find and launch the Instagram app on your watch
• The first time you open it, tap Log In
• Enter your Instagram username and password using the keypad
• Tap Log In again
• That’s it! Instagram will open on your Apple Watch, showing your profile and feed

You only need to sign in once on your Apple Watch. Next time Instagram launches, it will open straight into the app.

Key Features of Instagram on Apple Watch

Now let’s look at what you can do on Instagram using the Apple Watch app:

View Your Feed

The main Instagram feed with posts from people you follow is available on Apple Watch. Swipe up and down to scroll through posts.

You can like posts and view comments by tapping on them. However, commenting is not possible from the Apple Watch app.

View Stories

Instagram Stories are also viewable on your wrist. Swipe left and right to cycle through different stories from people you follow.

You can react to stories with emojis and see who has viewed your own story. But you cannot create or upload new stories from the Apple Watch.

View Activity and Notifications

The Notification Center shows recent activity on your Instagram account, such as likes, comments, new followers and mentions.

You also get push notifications on your Apple Watch for direct messages, mentions and other interactions.

Edit Your Profile

Through the Apple Watch app, you can view your Instagram profile and make changes to it:

• Tap your profile picture to enter your profile screen
• Scroll down and tap Edit Profile to make changes your bio or profile photo
• Tap Done after you finish editing your profile

However, options like sharing posts to your story or saving posts for later cannot be done on the Apple Watch.

Search and Discover New Accounts

Use Instagram on your Apple Watch to search for profiles, locations, hashtags and more. This lets you discover new accounts and content to follow while on the go.

Tips for Using Instagram on Apple Watch

Here are some handy tips to get the best experience using Instagram on your Apple Watch:

• Scroll and navigate by rotating the Digital Crown or swiping on the screen.
• To zoom into a post or picture, double tap it.
• Want to view longer text-heavy captions? Tap once to expand them.
• Raise your wrist and swipe up from bottom to open Instagram from your watch face.
• You can quickly switch between accounts if you have multiple Instagram accounts.
• Use Apple Watch controls like covering the screen or theater mode when viewing stories discreetly.
• The layout and interface is optimized for the smaller watch screen.
• Turn on Instagram notifications from the Watch app on your iPhone to stay updated.

Troubleshooting Instagram on Apple Watch

Here are some troubleshooting tips if you face any issues using Instagram on your Apple Watch:

Can’t sign into Instagram on the watch? Restart both the watch and iPhone. Make sure you have a stable WiFi or cellular connection.

App crashed or frozen? Force close the Instagram app by long pressing the side button on your Apple Watch and swiping up on the Instagram screen. Then re-launch it.

Feed not refreshing? Check your internet connection. Force quit and re-open the app to refresh it.

Are notifications not coming through? Ensure notifications are enabled for Instagram in the Watch app on your iPhone. The watch needs to be connected to the phone to receive notifications.

Other issues? Try uninstalling and reinstalling Instagram on your Apple Watch by following the download steps again.

Conclusion

Having Instagram on your Apple Watch makes it easier to stay connected with friends and family on the go. You can quickly like posts, view stories and get notifications right from your wrist. Although limited compared to the full iPhone app, the Apple Watch Instagram app packs many useful features into a compact experience.

Just make sure your Apple Watch is running watchOS 6 or later, paired to an iPhone, and has an internet connection. Follow the installation and setup steps outlined in this guide, and you’ll be up and running with Instagram on your Apple Watch in no time!