Instagram 'zoom in' bug leaves many frustrated, but there's a workaround

The latest hiccup to Instagram has left users frustrated and scratching their heads. A concerning bug affecting the zoom feature while recording Instagram stories has been reported by numerous users.

This glitch appears to have taken root in the latest version of the Instagram app for iPhone devices.

Instagram allows users to capture and share moments through their stories. A key feature within this context is the ability to zoom in and out seamlessly while recording.

However, a vexing bug has crept into the equation, causing an unexpected and exaggerated zooming effect while users record their stories (1,2,3,4,5,6,7).

Normally, users can effortlessly swipe up while holding the record button to zoom in and swipe down to zoom out, allowing for dynamic and visually engaging storytelling.

But due to this bug, a minor swipe-up gesture results in a zoom level that is far beyond the intended magnification.

Users who have encountered this bug have expressed their frustration, with some even resorting to avoiding the zoom feature altogether while recording.

Where’s the petition to fix the Instagram zoom feature?
Source

What a relief not to be the only slimy one who thought it was his phone but it was actually Instagram with his zoom fart
Source

Reports indicate that various iPhone models running both iOS 16 and iOS 17 beta have fallen prey to this glitch.

Strangely, there have been no similar reports from Android users, leading to speculation that the issue might be rooted in the iOS iteration of the Instagram app.

However, all is not lost for those who have been grappling with this zooming bug. First, manually ‘pinch’ the screen to adjust zoom:

Two solutions I have are firstly, while recording a video, if it zooms in, just use your other hand to “pinch” the screen to zoom back out. Keep pinching until it’s to the rate at which you would like.
Source

Secondly, use ‘Hands Free’ mode to record a story:

Secondly, go to the Instagram camera and set it to “Hands Free” mode. Hands Free mode allows you to do the motion at which you would normally take a photo, but instead, it starts a video and you don’t have to hold the button down, meaning no unwanted zooming in will occur.
Source

These solutions might not be ideal, but they serve as a temporary fix. Instagram’s development team will hopefully provide a more permanent resolution soon.

Note: We have more such stories in our dedicated gaming section, so be sure to follow them as well.

PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.