Like the question implies, I really want too get off of instagram. Its not the same space anymore, especially with the consistent push from Meta to use AI. Ive even made my profile private so those features don’t automatically turn on. Its gotten crazy there.
The limitation of smaller platforms like Pixelfed is that basically no one uses them. If you are using Instagram to keep track of people in your local community you are unlikely to find anything else.
If you like reels, check out loops
Not the standard answer, but here’s another opinion: I think Signal is a good alternative.
Depends on how you use Instagram. If you’re just sharing with closed groups of friends and family then just make some groups in Signal and share pictures with each other there.
If you want to post to everyone or look at everyone else’s posts then this obviously isnt going to work. But if your use case is as I describe above then just try using your private chat app.
Can someone easily merge from Google Messages to Signal? I’ve heard of signal and im also looking for another message alternative; more so for that and insta. Pixelfed is really catching my eye for insta.
How do you mean merge?
It’s basically another messenger.
Signal is a great app to replace your messenger with. Keep in mind that it doesn’t save whatever media you post there in your gallery.
Matrix is another solution, but you’d have to self host that. I have no experience with it.
Threema is a swiss app which I think was pretty privacy respecting as well? It doesn’t use phone numbers either IIRC.
Like Google unfortunately uses RCS and everyone i know uses RCS because either they have apple or are using Google messages with RCS. So if I was to go to Signal for example, would my chats transfer over or would I have to start over because RCS is not used?
Signal used to do text messaging as well but they removed the feature. As they felt it was unclear when a message was fully encrypted ( signal message ) and when it wasnt ( text /RCS message ).
I don’t think there’s a privacy friendly chat app that also does RCS.
Also want to mention that GoToSocial has an option to change the layout to a instagram like gallery: https://docs.gotosocial.org/en/v0.22.0/user_guide/settings/#select-layout
I know this is hardly an replacement for what instagram is like nowadays. But for those who just want to share their photos thats a great way thats often overlooked.
Yes, I’m using that after a short foray into Pixelfed. And together with @[email protected] 's Impressia iOS app it’s a really good experience.






