Instagram Adds Sound and Data Usage Controls to iOS, Android Apps

Instagram released updates for both its iOS and Android apps Thursday.

The updates include sound and data usage controls for videos on both versions of the app, and the Android version now has a photo straightening feature, which was already available on iOS. If you take a photo that is crooked or tilted, the app offers the option to straighten it at the push of a button.

Instagram didn't release a blog post fully explaining the update, the company simply tweeted about the changes from its official account (embedded below). Our request for comment was not immediately returned.

Today's Android update includes photo straightening and new sound and data usage controls for Instagram videos: http://t.co/nH3gArR2Fy

- Instagram (@instagram) October 10, 2013

From our tests, however, it appears users can now set up the app to mute video sound altogether, or make it consistent with the phone's ringer. For example, if your ringer is on, the video sound will play automatically unless you choose the mute option in the app's settings. If your ringer is on silent, the videos in your feed will be silent. A small microphone icon in the video's upper righthand corner allows users to turn the sound on or off without switching the phone's ringer.

The data usage controls allow users to decide whether or not they'd like videos to pre-load automatically, or only when the phone is connected to Wi-Fi. The setting would saves users' data by not automatically downloading videos when they are using their 3G or 4G data plans.

The data usage controls appear to align with changes that Instagram's parent company, Facebook, has been focused on for months. Facebook has been vocal that the future of its mobile offering will rely on bringing users an app that minimizes the data requirements so that it's more affordable and available to those outside of the United States.

All controls can be configured in the app's settings.

Both versions of the app are currently available for download in the Google Play store and the App Store.

Image: Thomas Coex/AFP/GettyImages, Google