Flashes: Bluesky’s Instagram Alternative Now Live on App Store
July 20, 2025
A Decentralized, Algorithm-Free Photo Sharing App
If Instagram feels too curated, Flashes offers a refreshing alternative. Now available on the App Store, this Bluesky-based app provides a scrollable photo and video feed, customizable user profiles, and built-in photo filters—all with no algorithms shaping your view.
Developed by Berlin-based creator Sebastian Vogelsang, Flashes leverages Bluesky’s AT protocol for decentralized functionality. It’s free to download but requires iOS 17 or higher. An Android release is still unconfirmed.
What Makes Flashes Stand Out
Flashes lets users post up to four images or videos (originally capped at one minute but now extended to three minutes with Bluesky v1.99). Posts on Flashes sync seamlessly with Bluesky—likes, comments, and reposts flow between both platforms in real time.
Instagram-Like Features With Bluesky Integration
- Feeds & filters: View and edit photos like Instagram.
- Portfolio mode: Curate which posts show on your profile.
- Wider reach: Posts on Flashes appear on Bluesky, connecting users instantly to Bluesky’s large community.
Unlike Instagram, Flashes connects users directly to over 50,000 Bluesky custom feeds without requiring a fresh follower base.
Getting Started
To use Flashes, you’ll need a Bluesky account. Sign in with existing credentials or register in-app by providing your email, password, and birthdate. Once logged in, you can explore your timeline, interact with posts, or share your own photos and videos.
Flashes is a promising Instagram alternative for anyone seeking a decentralized, user-controlled social media experience.
Source: ndtv.com
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