Instagram adds disappearing photos to Direct feature

Instagram’s Direct private message feature has been given the ability to capture photos and videos that instantly disappear when received. The functionality is similar to that of Snapchat. Instagram previously copied Snapchat’s Stories feature.

Users will receive the new feature via Instagram version 10.16 for iOS and Android. The disappearing photos and videos are placed between conversations of users. To take a photo that disappears by itself, a new blue camera button has been added in the Direct function. Captured images can be sent to an individual or a group.

If users receive a message that will disappear by itself, it will be indicated in blue in the inbox. After such a message is clicked, it can then be viewed one more time. The sender will be notified if the viewer presses ‘replay’ or takes a screenshot.

According to Instagram, the number of Direct users has grown from 300 million to 375 million since November last year. In addition to Messenger and WhatsApp, Direct is one of the many chat services that fall under the banner of Facebook.