We often see questions like “Why don’t I have a specific feature on Instagram,” or “Why do I have problems with my Instagram app?” in the various Facebook groups that we’re members of.

Well, very often an answer is very simple: you don’t have the latest version of the app and you need to update it. 

Today, we’ll show you how to do that. 

How to update your Instagram app on iOS devices 

To update your app, or just to check if you have the latest version, you need to do the following: 

• Go to the App Store
• Go to your account and open the list of apps that you currently have on your phone. Next to the name of each app you can either have an Update button or Open button. If you have the Update button, then it’s clear that you need to update your app. 😉

OR 

• Go to the App Store
• Type Instagram in the search bar 
• Again, in the top right corner, you will either have the Update or Open button. If you have the Update button, you need to update your app. 

How to update your Instagram app on Android devices 

Updating your app on an Android device is similar to what you have to do once you own an iOS device.

• Open Google Play
• Go to the tab ‘My apps and games’ 
• On the list, you will first see apps that have new updates available. If you have Instagram there, and if you see the Update button, you need to update the app. 

When you scroll below the apps that need an update, you will see all the other apps that are updated. 

OR

• Open Google Play
• In the search bar type ‘Instagram’
• On the right you will either see the Open or Update button. 

Why is it important to have an updated Instagram app? 

Of course, you don’t have to check every day if you have the latest version of Instagram. Also, most probably it will be automatically updated at some point. 

However, if you happen to see some bugs with how Instagram works, updating it can definitely help. Doing so may often be the answer to some troubles with using Instagram, for example:  

• If you don’t have a feature that Instagram rolled out recently (however, note that not all Instagram users are given new features at the same time, sometimes you just have to wait for your turn).
• If you don’t see IGTV content on a specific profile.
• If you have any issues with the app (e.g. it’s not refreshing).