Hot topics

Unlock the Power of Instagram on Your Apple Watch with This Free App

DALLE Apple Watch Instagram
© Image created using DALL-E by nextpit

Read in other languages:

Currently, there isn't an official Instagram app for the Apple Watch. However, you can still receive and respond to notifications on your connected watch. To view your entire feed, watch stories, and visit profiles, you'll need to download the Lens app.

Meta, the owner of Instagram, has limited its social network access on the Apple Watch. If you have the Instagram app on your iPhone, you can access your latest messages and notifications on the watch, but not your full feed.

The Lens for Watch app, not developed by Facebook, lets you view your message history, reply to friends, and browse posts and stories from your friends or favorite influencers. Note that some features require a one-time fee of $1.99.

Receive Instagram notifications on your Apple Watch

If you bought an Apple Watch just for using Instagram, we've got some bad news. It might not have been worth it, since you'll need to be near your iPhone to receive messages and notifications on your Apple Watch.

First, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone and that your Apple Watch is connected to it. You also need to have Instagram installed on your iPhone and notifications enabled in your iPhone settings. To do this:

  1. On the iPhone: Go to the Settings menu, Notifications, and then select Instagram.
  2. Activate the notifications and the three different types of alerts.
Screenshots that reveal how to activate Instagram notifications on the iPhone.
Activate Instagram notifications on the iPhone. / © nextpit
  1. Then go to the Apple Watch app.
  2. Access the Notifications and activate Instagram notifications.
Screenshot showing how to activate Instagram notifications on the Apple Watch.
Activate Instagram notifications on the Apple Watch to interact with the app. / © nextpit

You can now receive your notifications, read posts and reply to your DMs on Instagram from your iPhone on your Apple Watch.

Use Lens app to enjoy all the benefits of Instagram on your Apple Watch

If you want to benefit from all the different Instagram functions from the comfort of your Apple Watch, you'll need to use a third-party app known as Lens for Watch. This app collects data, including purchase history and log data (for diagnostics purposes), but these are not directly linked to you, as the app's page on the Apple App Store indicates. Access to the Instagram feed is also free to boot.

However, to access the stories, search tab, posts, comments, and explore, you will have to pay an additional minimum fee of $1.99. Here's how to use it:

  1. On the iPhone: Install the Lens for Watch app.
  2. The app will then install on your Apple Watch (which must be connected to the iPhone).
  3. Simply enter your Instagram credentials, and you can enjoy access to your feed from your Apple Watch.
  4. To access stories, posts, comments, and explore, you will need to upgrade the app for an additional $1.99.
Screenshots of the Lens app for the Apple Watch.
The Lens app mimics Instagram's previous app on Apple Watch. / © nextpit

What are your thoughts on this technique? Do you think Instagram should be on the iPhone?


This article was revised in June 2024 to improve readability.

 The best gaming monitors at a glance

  Best gaming monitor up to $400 Best gaming monitor up to $600 Best gaming monitor up to $800 Best gaming monitor up to $1,000 Best gaming monitor for consoles
Model
Image LG Ultragear 27GP850P - product image Asus ROG Strix XG27AQ - product image BenQ MOBIUZ EX3210U - product image Asus ROG Swift PG27AQDM - product image Gigabyte M32U - product image
Offers
Go to comment (0)
Gabriel Robert

Gabriel Robert
Editor NextPit France

Born on a volcanic island in the Indian Ocean, I travelled all over the world before settling in Berlin. Having worked for Forbes, Les Echos or Konbini, I don't let Apple take me for a ride, despite my weakness for its products. I am particularly interested in the sustainability and the social and environmental impact of our connected products.

To the author profile
Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
No comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing