Instagram has confirmed plans to kill its standalone Direct app for Android and iOS.
The Snapchat clone made its debut in December 2017, but is being axed as part of Facebook’s mission to consolidate its services into a single platform. Users will see their conversations automatically moved to the regular Instagram app.
Direct launched as part of Instagram’s fight against Snapchat. It gives fans the ability to share photos and messages with friends and followers, access face filters, record Boomerangs, and more.
But one user noticed a notification inside the app this week that warned of its imminent discontinuation.
Instagram Direct will disappear soon
“In the coming month, we’ll no longer be supporting the Direct app,” reads the notice spotted by Matt Navarra. “Your conversations will automatically move over to Instagram, so you don’t need to do anything.”
Actually, there is one thing you’ll need to do: Remove the Direct app from your phone.
Instagram hasn’t officially confirmed why the Direct app is being shuttered. But Facebook, which owns Instagram, has finally decided it doesn’t need multiple apps for each of its services.
The Direct service will continue
Direct itself isn’t being killed off, however. Instagram will continue to support it — and it has new Direct features in the pipeline. Those include encryption for direct messages, the ability to watch videos with others, and more.
“We’re focused on continuing to make Instagram Direct the best place for fun conversations with your friends,” Instagram told TechCrunch.
Direct only seemed to appear in select markets around the world, so it never really enjoyed mass adoption anyway. If you were one of the few who used it, you have a little more time to say goodbye before it’s gone.
