Yearning for the Instagram of yesteryear, where photos reigned supreme? Enter Flashes, the Bluesky-based app poised to reignite your love for visual storytelling. Forget endless scrolling through text and noise – Flashes puts images front and center, exactly where they belong. Ready to rediscover the joy of pure, unfiltered photo sharing? Let’s dive into what makes Flashes special and how you can join the visual revolution.
Good to know : check our tips to customize your Bluesky feeds.
What Is the Flashes App and Who Can Use It?
Forget endless algorithms and centralized control. Flashes is crashing the social scene, riding the next wave of user-first platforms. Built on the revolutionary AT Protocol – the same engine powering Jack Dorsey’s Bluesky – Flashes hands the reins back to you. Decentralized. Algorithm-free. Finally, social that’s actually social.
Here’s a twist: Flashes, the latest buzz on Bluesky, wasn’t hatched in their own labs. Instead, it’s the brainchild of Sebastian Vogelsang, a Berlin-based indie dev who’s diving deep into the platform’s open waters. Think of him as Bluesky’s secret weapon, also the mastermind behind the popular Skeets app – a killer third-party client giving Bluesky a run for its money.
Flashes is live on the App Store! Grab it now, but make sure you’re rocking iOS 17 or newer. Android users, hold tight – we’re working on it, but no ETA just yet.
You will also need to have a Bluesky account to start using Flashes.
How the Flashes App Works
To gain access to Flashes, all you have to do is sign in with your Bluesky credentials.
Flashes: Your Bluesky feed, reimagined. It effortlessly transforms your existing follows into a visually stunning, Instagram-esque experience. Ditch endless scrolling through text – Flashes delivers the images and videos you crave in a sleek, familiar format. Perfect for those who prefer a feast for the eyes over a wall of words.
This integration goes both ways. Every post you make on Flashes also appears in your standard Bluesky timeline.
Imagine Instagram, but on steroids. Flashes lets you ditch the single-photo tyranny and unleash a visual symphony – weaving grids of up to four photos per post, or even a minute-long video spectacle.
Tip : who needs X when you have Bluesky? Learn how to delete your former X (Twitter) account.
Using the Flashes App as Instagram Alternative
Flashes launches, and bam! You’re staring at your profile. Tell me that doesn’t feel a little…Instagram-ish?
Your profile: it’s your digital handshake. Notice that picture up top? That’s you. Beside it, your handle and the story of your network: who follows you, and who you follow. Below, craft your introduction – a name and a brief bio, just like on that other app. Now, for the real magic: fine-tune your presence. Toggle likes, curate lists, and personalize your feeds. Control what the world sees, and make your profile uniquely yours.
Your Flashback Vault Awaits! Peek below for a grid showcasing your captured moments. Craving a closer look at those photos and videos? Simply hop over to theMediatab.
Ready to showcase your Agame? Head straight to thePortfoliotab. Think of it as your personal art gallery, where you curate a stunning grid of your best images and videos. To unlock this feature, simply tapEdit profileand activate the Portfolio magic. Let your work shine!
Toggle on the option toEnable Portfolio. Below, press thePortfolio Settings->Manage Portfolio.
Want your stunning visuals to shine in yourPortfolio? Simply handpick your favorite images. Once you’ve made your selections, head back to yourProfile. Behold! Your chosen images will be showcased in a captivating grid layout under the first tab.
Switching over to theLikestab unveils a gallery of your Bluesky/Flashes affections, each post presented in a visually striking format.
Flashes automatically pulls in your Bluesky lists under “Lists,” turning them into custom feeds populated only by the accounts you’ve curated.
Finally, theFeedstab. Think of it as your personalized news stream, curating content from custom feeds you’ve built with powerful tools like Graze or Skyfeed. Dive in and discover a tailored experience!
Creating a new post on Flashes
The app’s interface practically mirrors Instagram, right down to the bottom menu bar. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the prominent “+” button smack-dab in the center, begging you to create your next post.
Unleash your inner storyteller! Tap the button to pluck a memory from your gallery – a cherished photo or captivating video ready to share. Or, seize the moment! Instantly capture life unfolding with a quick snap using the “Photo” or “Video” shortcuts below.
Transform your photo with a single swipe! Browse the stunning filter collection until you find the perfect mood. Ready to share your masterpiece? TapNext.
Add a description (and an ALT description, if you want), set your privacy settings (who can reply) and pressPublish.
Level up your description! Think Instagram hashtags: adding tags to your post helps others discover it through keywords. #VisibilityBoost #FindMe #TagIt
But unlike on Instagram, you can further customize your post by adding things like text, stickers, and more.
Blast your Flashes photos onto Bluesky! Instantly share your moments and watch the likes and comments roll in.
Browsing Your Flashes feed
Accessing your feed in Flashes is simple. Tap on theHomebutton at the bottom and start swiping.
Tired of seeing the same old faces on Bluesky? YourFollowingfeed is your comfort zone, sure, but adventure awaits! Tap thatFollowingbutton at the top and dive into a whole new world of content. Who knows what you’ll discover?
Want to know what’s hot right now on Flashes? Dive intoTrendingand see what’s buzzing. Craving visual inspiration?Bluesky Imagesdelivers a stream of captivating pictures straight from Bluesky. Or, unlock a world of possibilities withDiscoverand explore something completely new.
Searching on Flashes
Unleash your inner explorer on Flashes! Tap the magnifying glass icon your portal to discovering trending posts, finding fascinating users to follow, and diving into a world of captivating content. Search by keyword and let the adventure begin!
Dive into your passions! With Feeds, curate a personalized stream of content based on exactly what you love. Obsessed with books? Simply search “books” to get the latest on mustread releases and hidden literary gems. Unlock your personalized reading list – hit “Add” and watch your Feed flourish!
Dive back into your personalized content! To access your saved feeds, simply return to theHometab. Then, tap the feed name displayed at the top of your screen and chooseSaved Feedsfrom the menu. From there, select the curated experience you’re looking for.
Sending Direct Messages
Flashes isn’t just about sharing fleeting moments; it’s about connecting too! Spot that blue paper airplane soaring in the topleft corner of theHometab? That’s your gateway to direct messages. Slide into your inbox and start a conversation!
Think of it like Instagram: your paper plane messenger awaits in the feed’s upper right, ready for launch.
What about Reels?
Now go back to Home and switch to theVideotab.
Ready to ditch the basics? Dive into the world of Flashes and see what you can create! Or, if it’s not your vibe, we’ve got a curated list of Instagram alternatives just waiting to unleash your inner photographer.
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