Instagram is testing a brand new function referred to as Candid Challenges, which bears a putting resemblance to BeReal, a photograph sharing app standard amongst Gen. Z. The at present unreleased function was noticed by Alessandro Paluzzi, a developer identified for reverse engineering apps and discovering early variations of upcoming updates. An Instagram spokesperson confirmed the function is an “inside prototype,” however declined to offer further particulars.

According to Paluzzi, Instagram customers taking part in Candid Challenges will see a notification at a distinct time every day to snap a photograph of their environment. Upon getting the immediate, the Instagram digital camera may also open with each entrance and rear-facing shooters, and provides customers a two-minute window to snap a pic. Content shared through the challenges will seem within the Stories tray.

If that sounds acquainted, it’s as a result of the performance sounds practically similar , a selfie app marketed as a extra candid and genuine different to mainstream social media platforms. The app, which initially launched in 2019, additionally prompts customers to take a photograph utilizing their cellphone’s entrance and rear-facing cameras at a random time every day. The each day prompts additionally expire after two minutes, after which customers can view all of the photographs shared by their pals that day.

It’s not but clear if or when Instagram intends to launch the function. An Instagram spokesperson described the function as an “inside prototype” that is “not testing externally.” But the truth that the corporate is testing the performance suggests it is at the least contemplating replicating the app within its personal service.

BeReal has a giant following amongst Gen. Z, and has been rising in reputation over the past a number of months. BeReal is at present sitting within the prime place in Apple’s App Store, forward of each Instagram (No. 8) and Facebook (No. 18). It’s been among the many ten free apps for a lot of this summer season. 

Mark Zuckerberg has stated Meta’s future depends on interesting to , who’re more and more spending their time on platforms. And whereas TikTok is at present its prime competitor, the corporate is thought to its rivals and has usually copied options from different providers. Instagram additionally lately added a brand new “Dual” setting to its in-app digital camera that mimics the taking pictures type popularized by BeReal.