Instagram may look different because of an update, a temporary test or a setting. Your phone, account or a technical problem may also play a role. First, check exactly what has changed. Have the colours changed, is a button in a different place or are your photos not loading? That determines what you should check first.
Below, you can read how to recognise the differences and what you can try yourself.
An Instagram update can change buttons and screens
After an update, a button may be somewhere else or a screen may have a different layout. Does your phone update apps automatically? Then you may notice such a change without having done anything yourself.
Open the app store on your phone and check whether an update for Instagram is available. Also check whether you can see when the app was last updated. Did that coincide with the change? Then the update may be the cause, but you cannot know that for certain yet.
A different layout is not the same as an outage. Is a button in a new place, but does it still work? Then reinstalling is not the first step. Are photos staying blank or does Instagram close by itself? Then check whether there is a technical problem.
There is no fixed way to restore every old layout. So do not search endlessly for a restore button if only the design is different.
Instagram may differ by account, phone or region
Instagram does not have to look the same for everyone. A temporary test may explain it. Instagram may also introduce a new design step by step, meaning not everyone sees it at the same time. Without confirmation, you cannot know whether your account is part of such a test.
Your region, language, account type and phone may also play a role. You cannot determine from one moved button alone which cause applies to you.
Do you already have two accounts? On the same phone, open the same screen for both accounts. This lets you compare more effectively than placing your profile next to a friend’s messages screen.
- Two accounts look different on the same phone. Compare the account settings. A test may also explain the difference.
- The same account looks different on two phones. Compare the app version and the phone settings.
- The app looks different from the website. Keep in mind that the app and website may have a different layout.
Also pay attention to which information you are comparing. According to Sled’s explanation of the number of followers the total appears at the top of your profile. Changes can be seen in Insights, the section with statistics. So a different number on another screen does not automatically mean that the design has changed.
These settings can change how Instagram looks
Has the background become dark? Then check the theme. Are mainly the letters larger? Then check the text size on your phone. The table shows where to start for each change.
| What is different? | What can you check? |
|---|---|
| The background is dark instead of light | Check the theme on your phone and, if available, the theme option in Instagram. |
| Text and elements appear larger | Check whether the text size or screen magnification on your phone has been adjusted. |
| Words appear in another language | Check your phone’s language and, if available, the language setting for Instagram. |
| You do not see a green dot next to someone | The dot refers to someone’s online status. That is different from a change to the overall design. |
According to Catchr’s explanation of online status on Instagram a missing green dot does not automatically mean that someone is offline. Settings or connection problems may play a role.
Cannot find a setting that is mentioned? Continue with the other checks. Not every option is available everywhere or located in the same place.
Has the background mainly turned black? Then read why your Instagram is black. Are you instead suddenly asked for your age? For that, see why Instagram asks for your date of birth.
What can you do if Instagram suddenly works differently?
Try one step at a time and check each time whether anything changes. This prevents you from changing all kinds of settings without knowing what helps.
- Note what is different and when it started. An example: “Photos have not loaded since this morning, but my profile still opens.”
- Close Instagram completely and open the app again. Then check the same screen to see whether the problem is still there.
- Check whether an update is available. Use the official app store on your phone. An update does not guarantee that the old design will return.
- Test your connection if photos or messages are not loading. If possible, switch between Wi Fi and mobile data. Keep your data allowance in mind.
- Restart your phone. Open Instagram and check whether the same screen is still causing problems.
- Try opening your account in a browser. Does it work there? That may indicate that the problem is with the app or your phone.
Suppose a button is still in a different place after these steps, but it works. Then you do not need to check your connection further for that change. Does a screen remain blank while other apps load normally? Then reporting the problem is more useful.
Do you still want to delete and reinstall Instagram? First check that you can log in again afterwards and that you have access to your login codes. Drafts stored only on your phone may be lost.
Is your question not about the design, but about which posts people see? Then read why your followers do not see your Instagram posts. Different checks are needed for that.
Report an Instagram problem if a feature does not work
Can you still not use an important feature after the checks? Report the problem to Instagram. Examples include a screen that remains blank or a button that repeatedly does nothing.
Look in the app for help or an option to report a problem. The name and location of that option may differ. Cannot use the app? Then check the official Instagram website to see what help is available.
In your report, write which phone model you have, when the problem started and which screen does not work. Also explain what you have already tried. If possible, add a screenshot. First make private messages and other personal information unreadable.
Does everything work and is only the layout different? Then you can share what you think about it. A report does not automatically make the old design return. If you also publish your own content, our Instagram services includes packages for followers and likes. The product pages show the available quantities and prices.
