Instagram+ (also written Instagram Plus) is an unofficial, modified copy of the Instagram Android app, distributed as an APK outside the Google Play Store. It is not made or approved by Meta. Mods like it promise downloads and privacy tricks, but they put your password, phone and account at risk, and most of their useful features now exist officially.
Last updated: October 2026 ยท How we researched this: we reviewed what Instagram mods advertise, compared each claim with Instagram’s official features and Terms of Use, and read malware research from McAfee, ESET and Kaspersky on modded social apps.
Key takeaways
- There is no official “Instagram+” or “Instagram Plus.” Any app with that name is a third-party mod.
- Mods require you to log in, so whoever built them can potentially capture your credentials.
- Using a modified client breaks Instagram’s terms and can get your account limited or disabled.
- Downloading Reels, hiding read receipts and limiting screen time are now official features.
What is Instagram+ (Instagram Plus)?
The app belongs to a family of Android mods that also includes names like GB Instagram and InstaPro. Developers take the official Instagram app, change its code, add extra features and re-sign it. Users then install the APK by enabling “Install unknown apps.”
Because the app is re-signed by someone else, it cannot update through Google Play. You rely on an anonymous developer for every update, and you have no way to verify what the code does with your data. We do not link to or recommend any of these mods.
Mod features vs. official Instagram features
Most people want a mod for a handful of features. Here is what Instagram itself now offers, as of October 2026:
| Feature mods advertise | Official alternative |
|---|---|
| Download videos and Reels | Download button on public Reels (if the creator allows it); Download your information for your own content |
| Download photos | Save to private collections; save your own originals to your camera roll |
| Hide “Seen” in DMs | Turn off read receipts in your message privacy settings |
| Fewer distractions | Daily time limit, Quiet mode, and the option to hide like counts |
| No ads | Meta’s paid ad-free subscription in some regions, such as the EU |
| View Stories anonymously | No official option. This feature disrespects other users’ privacy |
| Copy captions and bios | Captions can be copied on the desktop site at instagram.com |
For a closer look at saving videos and photos the official way, see our Instagram video downloader and Instagram photo downloader guides.
Why Instagram+ and other mods are risky
1. Credential theft and account takeover
You type your password into the mod itself. In 2022, McAfee documented an Instagram mod app that sent users’ logins to its operators and used the accounts without permission. ESET reported similar Instagram credential stealers years earlier.
2. Spyware hidden in modded apps
Modded messaging apps have carried spyware. Kaspersky found WhatsApp mods with a hidden module that could upload files and record audio. The same distribution model, APKs shared on websites and Telegram channels, is used for Instagram mods.
3. Account limits and bans
Instagram’s Terms of Use forbid accessing the service or collecting information in unauthorized or automated ways. Logins from modified clients can trigger security checks, temporary blocks or a disabled account.
4. No security updates
Mods are often based on older Instagram versions. Security fixes from Meta arrive late or never, and the mod can stop working whenever Instagram changes its servers.
Warning signs that a mod has already been abused
- Posts, follows or likes you did not make.
- Emails from Instagram about a new login or a changed email address.
- Pop-up ads appearing outside the app, or a phone that suddenly runs hot and slow.
How to remove a mod and switch back safely
- Uninstall the mod from Settings, then Apps.
- Install the official Instagram app from Google Play. The developer is Instagram.
- Change your Instagram password and turn on two-factor authentication in Accounts Center.
- Under Password and security, check where you’re logged in and remove unknown sessions.
- Turn off “Install unknown apps” for your browser and file manager.
- Run a Google Play Protect scan.
Our Instagram downloader APK guide explains more about checking your phone after sideloading.
Who should never use Instagram mods
- Creators, influencers and shops whose income depends on the account.
- Marketers managing client or company profiles.
- Anyone whose phone holds banking, work email or two-factor codes.
- Teens and children, who also lose Instagram’s built-in teen protections.
If Instagram is part of how you earn, protect it like any business asset and build it into your wider digital marketing strategy.
Instagram+ FAQ
Is Instagram+ an official app?
No. It is a third-party modification of the Instagram app. Meta does not publish or support it, and it is not available on Google Play or the App Store.
Can Instagram ban you for using Instagram+?
Yes. Instagram’s terms prohibit unauthorized access, and accounts used through modified apps can be limited, locked or disabled.
Is Instagram Plus available for iPhone?
Not through the App Store. iPhone versions of mods rely on sideloading methods that carry the same security and account risks, so the official app is the safe choice.
Can I get Instagram Plus features without a mod?
Many of them. The official app lets you download public Reels, save posts to collections, turn off read receipts, hide like counts and set time limits.
Conclusion
Instagram+ looks like a free upgrade, but it is an unofficial mod that asks for your password and runs code nobody can verify. Most of its features now exist in the official app. Uninstall mods, secure your account, and stick with Instagram from Google Play or the App Store.
