Finally! Instagram update lets users pinch and zoom in on images and videos

Only released on iOS, but Android update should come in a few weeks

Instagram has updated its app with one of its most requested features.

Called Zoom, it allows users to pinch and zoom in order to get a closer view of images and videos shared on the platform.

It means the photo and video sharing apps more than 500 million users can get a better look at a friend's shirt or dive into a scene at dance club to see who attended, simply by performing two hand gestures on a smartphone screen.

The new feature lets users zoom in on both photos and videos in the main feed, on profile pages and on the Explore tab.

Zoom was released on iOS, however Instagram says 'Zoom will be available on Android in the coming weeks'.

Although this announcement is not a major milestone for the Facebook owned firm, the ability to zoom in on media is just another feature Instagram has released to compete with Snapchat.

' Over the past six months, you've seen many exciting changes come to Instagram, from a new icon to longer videos and even a new way to share everyday moments with Instagram Stories,' Instagram shared in today's announcement.

' And as things change, we're still focused on improving the core parts on Instagram.'

The social network launched a more monumental feature just earlier this month in another bid to take on Snapchat.

Called Instagram Stories, the feature lets users create 10- second video clips and share them with a select group of followers.

They also have the ability to apply filters, type text and doodle over the clips.

And these videos will only appear on someone's profile for just 24 hours – very similar to how Snapchat runs its service.

Instagram says the new feature was designed for those who worry about annoying their followers by flooding their feeds with pictures and videos.

However, unlike the current video service Instagram offers, those who post the clip can see who took the time to watch it.

Users can also choose to save the videos or post to their Instagram feed, where they will become permanent like normal Instagram videos.

' With Instagram Stories, you don't have to worry about over- posting. Instead, you can share as much as you want to throughout the day — with as much creativity as you want,' the company said in a blog post.

' You can bring your story to life in new ways with text and drawing tools. The photos and videos will disappear after 24 hours and won't appear on your profile grid or in feed.'

(C) Daily Mail, London