Instagram Users to get early access to test features

A recent leak suggests that Instagram may roll out a feature that lets users be the first to know about new advancements. In order to access beta features, testers can currently only sign up for the Android Beta programme.  Users would be able to test out in-development products using a different approach due to the reported "early access" option.

A screenshot shared on Threads by developer Alessandro Paluzzi suggests that the option to join early access may be present in the Settings and activity tab. A new “early access to features” is reportedly visible as the last option. Paluzzi also revealed that the social media platform is working to further incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into its app. It may reportedly allow users to generate themes for chats with AI.

With this new option, Instagram might finally allow users early access to its experimental features similar to Google Search Labs and YouTube Experiments.

At present, Instagram allows users to tweak chat themes with options such as gradients and colours, while also presenting special themes. A screenshot shared by the leaker shows a new Create with AI option alongside other chat themes such as Pickleball, Snack Party, and Minecraft.

A similar feature on WhatsApp was also reportedly under development which might enable users to choose from five preset themes - blue, green (default), grey, red, and purple. As per the report, it might be available via a new theme picker and selecting a theme might change the colour and the wallpaper in the chat's background.

According to another recent report, Instagram is also working to bring cross-posting to the platform. It would reportedly allow users to cross-post content from Instagram to Threads – Meta's microblogging platform which serves as a direct competitor to X (formerly Twitter).

The source speculates that users may need to opt-in to use this feature, as it would not be enabled by default. According to reports, it would function similarly to Facebook's cross-posting feature for Instagram.