Instagram’s ‘Direct’ standalone app is shutting down

Instagram is shutting down its standalone ‘Direct’ messaging application. Launched in December 2017, Instagram’s Direct app is quite similar to Snapchat with its own set of filters and focus on sharing of photos. The app was then considered as Facebook’s attempt to split messaging from the main app – similar to what it did with a standalone Messaging app.

Instagram did not disclose why it was shutting down the application. It is worth noting that Direct that was never rolled out globally. It was available in select markets such as Italy, Turkey, Israel and Chile among others. According to SensorTower, the app had little over 1 million downloads including Google Play Store and Apple App Store.