Here's how to join Flashes — Bluesky's answer to Instagram

How To
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Get early access to to Flashes, the Instagram alternative

Flashes
(Image credit: Flashes)

If you're looking for an Instagram alternative, Flashes might be just the thing. Think of Flashes as Instagram but built on Bluesky's open-source platform.

This new photo-sharing app works with Bluesky the growing Twitter alternative that's already attracted millions of users seeking a different kind of social media experience.

What is Flashes?

Simply put, Flashes is a new photo-sharing app that works with your Bluesky account.

It filters out everything except photos and videos from your Bluesky feed, creating something that feels a lot like Instagram. You can share up to four photos in one post and videos up to a minute long.

The developers are planning to add more features soon, including photo editing tools, Stories (like Instagram) and the ability to manage multiple accounts.

1. Sign up

Since Flashes is currently in beta, you'll need to have TestFlight to view the app.

TestFlight is a platform is used for testing new apps before their official release. Currently, Flashes is only available on iOS.

You'll need to sign up first to view Flashes in TestFlight. To do this, input your email into the Google form and click Submit.

2. Accept the invite

After signing up, you'll be added to the waiting list. When a spot becomes available, you'll receive an email with either a link or code to start using Flashes.

It's important to note that the waiting period can vary for this. If you have TestFlight access, you can start right away.

3. Explore Flashes

Once you're up and running in TestFlight, you can sign into Flashes. To do this you'll need to have a Bluesky account and an auto-generated app password.

You need to log into Bluesky, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, followed by App Passwords, where you can generate a specific password for Flashes.

Once you have the autogenerated password, sign in and enjoy what Flashes has to offer!

Now you've learned how to join Flashes, why not check out some of our other social media how-tos. Want a faster TikTok? Here's how to clear your cache, or if you're seeing the same content repeatedly, here's how to refresh the TikTok algorithm.

And if you use Threads, learn how to only see Threads from people you follow for a cleaner feed.

Kaycee Hill
Kaycee Hill
How-to Editor

Kaycee is Tom's Guide's How-To Editor, known for tutorials that get straight to what works. She writes across phones, homes, TVs and everything in between — because life doesn't stick to categories and neither should good advice. She's spent years in content creation doing one thing really well: making complicated things click. Kaycee is also an award-winning poet and co-editor at Fox and Star Books.

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