Instagram Debuts Group Profiles, Twitter-Like 'Notes' Feature for Sharing Text and Emojis - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Instagram Debuts Group Profiles, Twitter-Like 'Notes' Feature for Sharing Text and Emojis

Meta-owned social network Instagram today announced the launch of a new "Notes" feature that is designed to allow Instagram users to share their thoughts using text and emojis. Notes are described as short posts that can include up to 60 characters, which means they're similar to a tweet, but with support for fewer words.

instagram notes
Notes can be shared by going to the top of the inbox, selecting followers or people on the Close Friends List, and then writing and sharing a note. Notes will show at the top of the inbox for 24 hours, and replies will be displayed as DMs.

During testing, we learned that people liked having a lightweight, easy way to share what's on their mind and start conversations. From asking for recommendations to sharing what they're up to, Notes give people a casual and spontaneous way to express themselves and connect with each other.

Instagram will also soon be implementing Group Profiles, which will allow multiple users to share posts and stories through a dedicated, shared profile.

Candid Stories are in testing as well, with Instagram aiming to add BeReal-like functionality. Candid Stories are only visible to those who also share their own Candid, and it is meant to be used to "share what you're doing right now." Instagram will send daily notifications to post a Candid, unless the setting is disabled.

Notes are rolling out today, while Candid Stories are in testing and will be available for some users. Group Profiles are set to come out in the near future.

Popular Stories

Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature 1

Gurman: iPhone Ultra Wows Early Testers, Except for Its Camera

Sunday August 23, 2026 11:19 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra is winning over the few people who have had hands-on time with the device, though the camera setup may leave some users wanting, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says people who have used the device – which is reportedly referred to internally as the iPhone Ultra – like how it fits in your...
iPhone 18 Pro Dark Cherry Feature

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra: When Will Apple Event Be Announced?

Monday August 24, 2026 6:45 am PDT by
It is now late August, meaning that Apple's annual iPhone event is just around the corner. Below, we take a look at when the event might be held this year. This September, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and an all-new foldable iPhone that will reportedly be named the iPhone Ultra. The regular iPhone 18, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and the iPhone Air 2 are not...
apple magic keyboard with glyphs 2026 refresh

Apple Quietly Refreshes Magic Keyboards

Tuesday August 25, 2026 7:22 am PDT by
Apple today quietly introduced updated Magic Keyboard models with revised U.S. English key labeling. On the new keyboards, the tab, caps lock, shift, return, and delete keycaps are labeled with glyphs rather than edge text. On the full-size models with a numeric keypad, the change goes further, with the home, page up, page down, end, clear, and enter keys also swapping their text labels for...

Top Rated Comments

48 months ago
I wish instagram was a feed of photography from my friends and nothing more. Stories are for snapchat, short video is for vine/tiktok, short text posts are for twitter, and shopping is for dedicated online merchants not social media. Bring simple instagram back!

Edit; while I still agree with what I said before, I think macrumors is misleading calling this feature “Twitter-like”. It’s nothing like Twitter, it’s more like an old AIM status and I’m actually really enjoying the feature, it’s a good idea. Still would like to see instagram go back to simple, and features like this feel more at home in a chat app like messages or WhatsApp.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
48 months ago
Not a big fan of notes. Just stick to photography.

Where is Instagram for iPad? 11" and 12.9" iPad Pro screens can really take advantage of Instagram photos.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
48 months ago
Space Karen is gunna be pissed.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Think|Different Avatar
48 months ago
This is so beyond lame. 🤣
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
enterthemerdaverse Avatar
48 months ago
They will scrape that text to build deeper personality profiles on you. That’s their business model.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unk1ne Avatar
48 months ago
bring back the old IG with photos from people you follow, not a million different sponsored pages and music....
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)