Instagram's PWA appears to be on its way to Windows 10

Instagram PWA Microsoft Store
Instagram PWA Microsoft Store (Image credit: Aggiornamenti Lumia)

What you need to know

  • The Instagram PWA will be in the Microsoft Store soon, according to a report.
  • The current Instagram app on Windows 10 hasn't received an update since 2018.
  • Facebook recently launched a refreshed Messenger app on Windows 10.

This news comes as a mixed bag for many Instagram users on Windows 10. On the one hand, progressive web apps allow companies to update apps more frequently because a single update can push across several platforms. This would be welcomed by Windows 10 users since the Instagram app on Windows 10 hasn't been updated since July 2018. On the other hand, PWAs don't always have feature parity with native applications. In the case of Instagram, the PWA does not have access to direct messaging (nor photo uploading, but that's expected).

Since we don't have confirmation from Instagram on the PWA's availability, we can't say what features will ship with the new version of the app. Facebook seems committed to refreshing its apps. Facebook Messenger beta largely closes the feature gap between the Windows 10 version and iOS and Android versions of Messenger. There's a chance that a similar tactic with Instagram could lead to a better app that's updated more often than the current version.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.