Flashes, a Bluesky-Based Instagram Alternative, Starts Beta Testing

If you’re getting tired of Instagram, a Bluesky-based alternative known as Flashes is now available in beta.

Flashes supports posts of up to four images and videos up to one minute in length. Like Instagram, it will support direct messages, and users will be able to post images on Flashes and Bluesky at the same time.

The app was announced earlier this month and uses the same basic technical framework as Bluesky, the AT Protocol, according to TechCrunch, which first reported the launch. However, though closely integrated, it was developed by third-party Berlin-based developer Sebastian Vogelsang, rather than Bluesky’s core team.

Flashes will filter your Bluesky newsfeed, leaving only photos and videos. Vogelsang told TechCrunch he plans to roll out additional features in the future, including push notifications, multiple accounts, bookmarks, and eventually image-editing options and support for Stories.

It’s currently available for download on iOS using Apple’s TestFlight developer testing platform. It may not be all smooth sailing for now; the developer posted on Bluesky about being in communication with Apple’s engineering team about solving technical issues.

The new app comes as Bluesky hit yet another milestone—31 million users—as users continue to flee from X amid numerous controversies. The platform expanded its user base nine times over in 2024.

Bluesky also announced another new feature earlier this week, with an executive telling TechCrunch it will now allow users to limit replies purely to users they follow and to make this their default setting if they wish.

Meta, meanwhile, is also cribbing from Bluesky; it rolled out support for custom feeds on Threads in November, and Threads users can now make custom feeds public and follow other people’s feeds.

About Will McCurdy

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I’m a reporter covering weekend news. Before joining PCMag in 2024, I picked up bylines in BBC News, The Guardian, The Times of London, The Daily Beast, Vice, Slate, Fast Company, The Evening Standard, The i, TechRadar, and Decrypt Media.

I’ve been a PC gamer since you had to install games from multiple CD-ROMs by hand. As a reporter, I’m passionate about the intersection of tech and human lives. I’ve covered everything from crypto scandals to the art world, as well as conspiracy theories, UK politics, and Russia and foreign affairs.

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