Honista for Android: an Unofficial Instagram Mod

Honista is an unofficial modified version of Instagram for Android, here based on Instagram 406.0.0.58.159. It is made by an independent team called Honista, not by Meta, and it is distributed as an APK outside Google Play, so before any Honista download it is worth weighing the extra features against the risks.

Quick facts

• Name: Honista
• Based on: Instagram 406.0.0.58.159
• Made by: Honista team (not Meta)
• Platform: Android, 64-bit processors only in recent versions
• Distribution: APK outside Google Play
• Size: about 132.91 MB according to catalogue data
• Status: unofficial modification

What Honista changes

Honista modifies the official Instagram client and adds options that Meta does not provide. Commonly advertised features include downloading photos, videos, reels and stories, a ghost mode that hides viewed stories and read receipts, zooming profile pictures, copying captions and bio text, removing ads and suggested posts, and themes including custom fonts and colours. The developers keep a changelog on their site and note that, because 32-bit processors are becoming obsolete, new releases are built only for 64-bit devices. Despite the polished presentation, the core problem stays the same as with any mod: you sign in to your real Instagram account through an app that Meta has not built or verified, and you install it from a website instead of a store that checks it.

Risks

• Not official. Honista is not affiliated with Instagram or Meta.
• Account restrictions. Using unauthorised clients breaks Instagram's terms and can lead to action blocks or suspension.
• Possible malicious code. Modified APKs may include trackers or code that collects login data.
• Late fixes. Security updates depend on the mod team, not on Meta.

If you want to try it

1. Do not use your main Instagram account.
2. Use a spare device or an emulator such as the Android Studio emulator.
3. Create a separate test account with a unique password.
4. Remove the app and check active sessions in Instagram's security settings afterwards.

The official alternative

Instagram from Google Play lets you save posts to collections, download your data, hide story views from specific people with close friends and privacy settings, and limit sensitive content. Instagram Lite suits older phones.

Price

Honista is distributed free and has no paid tier. The cost lies elsewhere: in the risk to the account, to your personal data and to the other people whose messages and photos pass through the modified app.

Pros and cons

• Pro: media download and ghost mode.
• Pro: no ads or suggested posts.
• Pro: extensive visual customisation.
• Con: not from Meta; violates Instagram's terms.
• Con: account can be restricted.
• Con: unverified code handles your login.

Related apps

Official apps on our site include Instagram, Instagram Lite and Threads. Other Instagram mods here, such as InstaPro 3, Instander and GBInstagram, have the same drawbacks.