Instagram video calls: Leaked feature hints at huge change for the app

It could be about to turn into a full-blown communications service

Instagram Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Kevin Systrom speaks during the launch of a new service named Instagram Direct in New York December 12, 2013 (REUTERS/Lucas Jackson)

Instagram may be about to launch video calls, a new leak suggests.

The feature would allow you to hold video chats with other Instagram users through the app, as you can already do on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.

Its launch would mark a huge change in direction for the picture-sharing social network.

Instagram has always mainly revolved around the main central feed, rather than messaging features, and video calling could transform it into a full-blown communications service.

A symbol for the feature has been spotted in an unreleased version of the app.

It was discovered by WABetaInfo, which says it is currently in development, and is yet to be enabled by the company.

You’ll be able to hold a video call with other users after you open an active chat with them. If you haven’t already exchange messages, the feature won’t be available.

The video call button will appear in the navigation bar within a chat, but little else is currently known about the feature.

The Independent has asked Instagram for more details, and this article will be updated with its response.

In December, Facebook – which owns Instagram – admitted that social media can be bad for you, but added that it all comes down to how you use it.

“According to the research, it really comes down to how you use the technology,” the company wrote. “For example, on social media, you can passively scroll through posts, much like watching TV, or actively interact with friends — messaging and commenting on each other’s posts.

“Just like in person, interacting with people you care about can be beneficial, while simply watching others from the sidelines may make you feel worse.”

Instagram is constantly testing out experimental features, and there’s a chance the video calling feature won’t ever launch.

You can, however, get access to new and experimental features by signing up to the Instagram beta app.