Here Is Why Instagram Shuts Its Apple Watch App

Despite some dramatic improvements in Apple Watch speed, some apps have been actively pulled from watchOS over last several months. Well, now Instagram is the latest major app to remove its Apple Watch app.

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Instagram Shuts Its Apple Watch App

Instagram was among the first social network apps to debut in the early days of watchOS, but the app hasn’t been updated in years to take advantage of current features. The latest update version 39.0 to the iPhone client, comes with a changelog simply stating “general bug fixes and performance improvements,” and removes the Watch app.

Well with the removal, Instagram has joined the club of apps (which includes Slack, Whole Foods, eBay, Amazon, and Google Maps) that has abandoned Apple Watch.

So, why Instagram abandons Apple Watch? According to 9to5Mac, this is likely because Instagram for Apple Watch was built during the original cycle of WatchKit 1.0 apps where functionality relied completely on the paired iPhone. And as of April 1st, updates to Apple Watch apps must use the watchOS 2 SDK or later, while new Watch apps have to be built with the watchOS 4 SDK.

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Many found the Instagram Watch app to be used for notification functionality, but the removal of the app from the Apple Watch has resulted in usability improvements. What do you guys think about it? Do you have an Apple Watch? Let us know in the comment section below.

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