How to Use Flashes the Bluesky Instagram Alternative

Flashes, the photo- and video-sharing app built for the Bluesky ecosystem, is now officially available on the App Store. Designed as a Bluesky Instagram alternative, Flashes offers a decentralized, algorithm-free experience for users who want more control over their visual content. 

The app has already gained momentum, surpassing 28,000 downloads within 24 hours of leaving its beta phase. Developed on Bluesky’s AT Protocol, Flashes prioritizes a clean, media-focused interface—making it an ideal choice for photographers, content creators, and brands looking for a fresh approach to social media without algorithmic interference.

What is Flashes by Bluesky?

Flashes is a standalone app that enhances the Bluesky experience by focusing solely on visual content. It filters out non-image and non-video posts from your existing Bluesky feeds, making it a streamlined space for sharing media.

Key features of Flashes include:

• Uploading up to four photos or one-minute videos per post
• Syncing posts and comments between Flashes and Bluesky
• Using the same feeds as your Bluesky account, with an emphasis on visual content

Created by Berlin-based developer Sebastian Vogelsang, Flashes serves as a minimalist, visually focused alternative to platforms like Instagram.

How to Use Flashes: The Bluesky Instagram Alternative

To start using Flashes, you’ll need a Bluesky account. The app syncs seamlessly with your profile, cross-posting your photos and videos directly to Bluesky.

Main features of Bluesky Flashes app:

• Feed Customization: Personalize your feed by adjusting settings to hide repeated posts, show replies, display only followed users, show reposts, or include quote posts.
• Posting Content: Upload up to four photos or one-minute videos per post.
• Interactivity: Like and comment on posts, with interactions mirrored across both platforms.
• Portfolio Mode: Choose which media appears on your profile to curate a polished feed.

How to Download Bluesky Flashes App

Flashes is available for iOS devices on the App Store. Follow these steps to download:

1. Open the App Store
2. Search for “Flashes for Bluesky” by Birdsong
3. Download and install the app
4. Log in using your Bluesky credentials

💡 An Android version is currently in development but has yet to be released.

Flashes App Tutorial: Getting Started

If you’re new to Flashes, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the app and make the most of its features:

1. Set Up Your Account: Log in with your Bluesky credentials. Your Flashes profile is linked to your Bluesky account, so you don’t need to create a new one.
2. Explore Feeds: Browse your Bluesky feeds, now filtered to highlight visual content. This keeps the focus on images and videos without the distraction of text-based posts.
3. Post Content: Tap the “New Post” button to upload up to four images or a one-minute video. Your post will automatically sync with your Bluesky profile.
4. Customize Feeds: Adjust settings to control how your feed looks. You can hide reposts, filter replies, or only show posts from people you follow.
5. Engage with Others: Like, comment, and interact with posts seamlessly across both platforms. Any interaction on Flashes will also appear on Bluesky.
6. Manage Your Profile: Use Portfolio Mode to choose which posts are visible on your profile, letting you highlight your best content.
7. Control Your Feed Display Preferences: Since your Flashes feed mirrors your Bluesky feed, you can tweak the settings to change how posts are displayed.
8. Stay Updated with Notifications: Notifications come from your Bluesky account, including updates on text-based posts. Flashes doesn’t have its own notification system.
9. Access Messages: Check and reply to your Bluesky messages directly from your Flashes profile without switching apps.
10. Edit Your Profile: Any changes to your Bluesky profile will automatically update on Flashes, and vice versa, keeping everything in sync.

Bluesky Flashes vs. Instagram

Flashes sets itself apart from Instagram by prioritizing decentralization and user control. Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

Flashes gives users more control over what they see and how they interact with content, without algorithms deciding what gets shown.

Using Metricool to Grow Your Bluesky and Flashes Presence

If you’re managing content on Bluesky, you can use Metricool to schedule and analyze your posts—including those on Flashes. Since Flashes automatically syncs with Bluesky, any photos you schedule for Bluesky through Metricool will also be published to Flashes. This makes it easy to maintain an active presence on both platforms while streamlining your content strategy.

With Metricool’s Bluesky analytics, you can track your performance, measure engagement, and refine your content strategy. Since interactions on Flashes mirror those on Bluesky, monitoring your analytics in Metricool will help you understand which types of posts resonate most with your audience.

Whether you’re a content creator, brand, or business, using Metricool with Bluesky and Flashes allows you to plan your posts efficiently and grow your community without relying on algorithm-driven visibility. If you’re ready to establish your presence on Flashes, Metricool makes it easier than ever to stay consistent and track your progress.

Gretchen Oestreicher , 27 February 2025