What Instagram layout options are available to you
Instagram offers several ways to change how your feed and profile appear. The main layout options are the standard feed (chronological or algorithmic), the Reels tab for short videos, the Explore page for discovery, and your profile grid. You can also switch between light mode and dark mode, adjust text size, and change how your Stories appear. Most of these changes happen in your phone's Settings app or directly in Instagram's settings menu.
The layout you see depends partly on your device — iPhone and Android sometimes roll out features at different times — and partly on your account type. Business and Creator accounts have additional layout options that personal accounts do not, including the ability to see Insights and switch between different profile views.
Key Takeaways
- You can switch between light mode and dark mode in Instagram Settings under Appearance, and this change affects how your entire feed and profile look.
- Your feed can show posts in chronological order or algorithmic order; tap the Instagram logo at the top left to toggle between them when available.
- Creator and Business accounts can switch between a grid view and a list view on their profile by tapping the grid icon in the top right of their profile.
- Text size, contrast, and other accessibility options are found in your phone's Settings app under Accessibility, not in Instagram itself.
- Reels, Stories, and the Explore page cannot be hidden, but you can mute accounts and control what content appears in your feed.
Switching between light mode and dark mode
Open Instagram and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Look for Appearance and tap it. You will see three options: Light, Dark, and Use device settings. Tap whichever you prefer.
If you choose Use device settings, Instagram will match whatever your phone is set to. This is the most common choice because it means Instagram will automatically switch to dark mode in the evening if your phone does. On iPhone, this setting is in Settings > Display & Brightness. On Android, it is in Settings > Display > Dark theme.
Changing your feed to chronological order
By default, Instagram shows you posts in an order it thinks you will engage with most — this is called algorithmic order. To see posts in the order they were posted instead, tap the Instagram logo at the very top left of your feed. A small menu will appear with two options: Home and Favorites. Tap Home to return to algorithmic order, or stay on Favorites to see only posts from accounts you have marked as favorites.
Note that this toggle does not always appear. Instagram tests this feature with different users at different times, so you may not see it even if you have the latest version of the app. If the toggle is not there, you cannot change your feed order at this moment.
Switching your profile view on Creator and Business accounts
If you have a Creator or Business account, you can change how your profile grid appears. Go to your profile by tapping the person icon in the bottom right. In the top right corner of your profile, you will see a grid icon. Tap it to cycle through different layout options — usually a standard grid, a carousel view, or a list view depending on your account type and region.
To switch your account type from Personal to Creator or Business, go to Settings and privacy > Account type and tools > Switch to professional account. This takes about a minute and gives you access to Insights (data about who sees your posts) and additional layout options.
Adjusting text size and accessibility settings
Instagram respects your phone's accessibility settings. To change text size across Instagram, go to your phone's Settings app. On iPhone, tap Display & Brightness > Text Size and drag the slider. On Android, tap Display > Font size and choose your size. These changes affect Instagram and all other apps.
For higher contrast or other visual adjustments, iPhone users can go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Increase Contrast. Android users can go to Settings > Accessibility > Vision > High contrast text. Instagram will display using these settings automatically.
Controlling what appears in your feed without hiding tabs
You cannot hide the Reels tab, Stories, or the Explore page — they are permanent parts of Instagram's layout. However, you can control what content shows up in your feed by muting accounts and adjusting your preferences. To mute an account, press and hold their username on any post, then tap Mute. You can mute their posts, their Stories, or both.
You can also tap the three dots on any post and select Not interested. Over time, Instagram learns what you do not want to see and adjusts your feed. If you want to see less of a certain type of content entirely, muting accounts that post it is the most direct way to change your layout experience.
Troubleshooting layout changes that do not appear
If you change a setting and it does not take effect, first close Instagram completely and reopen it. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, find Instagram, and swipe it away. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Force stop. Then reopen Instagram.
If the problem persists, check that you have the latest version of Instagram. Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android), search for Instagram, and tap Update if one is available. Instagram rolls out new features gradually, so even with the latest version, some layout options may not be available to your account yet. If a feature you read about is not in your app, it may arrive in a few weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get back to the old Instagram layout?
Instagram does not offer a way to revert to older layouts. The app updates automatically and you cannot downgrade. If you dislike a recent change, you can provide feedback by going to Settings and privacy > Help > Report a problem and describing what you want to change.
Why does my feed look different from my friend's feed?
Instagram tests different layouts with different users, so two people with the latest version may see different options. Your account type (Personal, Creator, or Business) also affects what you see. Additionally, your feed order is partly algorithmic, so even with the same settings, you and your friend will see different posts.
Can I make Instagram show only photos, not Reels?
No, you cannot hide the Reels tab or prevent Reels from appearing in your feed. You can mute individual accounts that post Reels frequently, or tap Not interested on specific Reels to train Instagram to show you fewer of them, but you cannot remove Reels from the layout entirely.
Does changing to dark mode save battery?
On phones with OLED screens (most newer iPhones and many Android phones), dark mode does use slightly less battery because black pixels require less power. On phones with LCD screens, the difference is negligible. The main reason to use dark mode is comfort in low light.
What is the difference between Creator and Business accounts?
Both offer layout options and Insights that Personal accounts do not. Creator accounts are designed for people who make content; Business accounts are for companies and organizations. The layout and feature differences are minimal. You can switch between them anytime in Settings and privacy > Account type and tools.