Many Third-Party Instagram Apps Have Stopped Working
We’ve got some bad news if you use a number of different third-party Instagram apps like Gramfeed and Mixagram.
Some big changes
Originally announced late last year, Instagram’s new rules regarding API access have gone into affect today. The change was first noted by MacRumors.
Starting in December, Instagram started to review and approve any request for API access. It is only granted in some very specific cases. Basically, anything that allowed a user to heavily interact with the service was rejected. You can view the complete new platform policy here.
Any app or site that arrived before mid-November was given until today until their access was shut off.
Gramfeed, for example, has changed its name to Picodash and no longer allows users to view their feed, the popular feed, or who other user followers/following information. The app was recently removed from the App Store:
“Goodbye! As of June 1st 2016, Gramfeed will no longer function. To conform with the Instagram API Platform changes, Gramfeed had to be transitioned to a new service called Picodash and is focused on providing the search and social media management functionality to brands, publishers and journalists.”
What caused the changes?
Instagram has recently updated its app with a new look.
The tightening API access came in part to the Instagram client InstaAgent. In early November, The app was exposed to be what amounted to malware as it stored the username and password of users and sent the information to a remote server in clear text.
It also posted unauthorized images to a user’s feed.
While protecting security is a great reason for the changes, maybe Instagram could finally provide a way for users to access the service natively on the iPad.
Designed for the iPhone/iPod touch, Instagram can be downloaded now on the App Store for free.
In mid-May the app was updated with a more modern icon and design.