Instagram app disappears from Apple Watch

According to 9to5Mac, updating Instagram's iPhone app to version 39.0 removes the app from the Watch after pairing.The release notes for the latest version of Instagram's iOS app list "general bug fixes and performance improvements" and make no mention of the Watch app.

It's worth noting that, starting April 1, Apple requires all Watch apps to be native and built with the watchOS 2 SDK or later (this is for updates; new apps must be built with watchOS 4 SDK), while updates to old watchOS 1 apps (which Instagram was) are no longer accepted.

If the disappearance of Instagram from Watch is permanent, however, it wouldn't be very surprising. Popular apps like eBay, Google Maps, and Amazon have all dropped support for the Watch last year in a similarly quiet manner.

Perhaps all is not lost for Instagram-on-their-wrist lovers. Rumors say Apple is working on a new Apple Watch with a larger screen, which might be (slightly) more suitable for watching Instagram's photo feed. We've contacted Instagram about the missing Watch app and will update the article when we hear from them.