Google Play Store has removed the ad-free Instagram client, OG App, preventing Android users from downloading it straight from the official app marketplace.
The move by Google comes shortly after Apple has taken down the listing of the OG App from its App Store for iPhone and iPad users.
Google Play Store Kicks Out Ad-Free Instagram, OG App
As per the latest news story by Android Police, the unofficial IG client that goes by the name OG App is no longer available in the Google Play Store, where Android users download their apps.
The news outlet notes that the OG App promises its users to provide an ad-free Instagram experience.
But besides that, the developers of the IG client, Hardik Patil, and Ansh Nanda, brought other refinements that the older version of Instagram offered.
For instance, the OG App has disabled the feature that notifies other users that you have read their direct messages. It also prevents the feeds of Instagram users from automatically refreshing.
So it turns out that aside from the ad-free experience, the OG App also sort of brought back its users to how Instagram was back in the day before Reels had taken over the giant social media platform.
On top of the nostalgic move, the devs of the unofficial IG client also provided a more customizable experience. It enables users to set up multiple feeds depending on which accounts they would want to appear.
Apple Removes OG App from the App Store
But despite all this, Apple has swiftly kicked out the OG App from its official app marketplace for iPhone and iPad users.
According to a report by Engadget, the renowned tech giant booted out that third-party Instagram client in late September.
Meta responded to the move of the iPhone maker, noting that it has violated their policies. The spokesperson of the Instagram parent says that: "This app violates our policies and we're taking all appropriate enforcement actions."
However, Engadget notes that it is unclear if Meta reached out to Apple to request its removal from the App Store.
One of the developers of the OG App, Patil, spoke with Engadget after the iPhone maker removed their app from its official app marketplace. He says that "users deserve the right to control what they consume, and OG will continue to defend and fight for that right.
But this time, the third-party Instagram client is no longer available in both the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
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This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Teejay Boris
