Pixelfed, a decentralized photo-sharing platform created as an alternative to Instagram, has officially launched its mobile apps for Android and iOS, TechCrunch reports. The service is based on the ActivityPub protocol, which is also used by Mastodon and other decentralized social platforms.
Pixelfed is part of the growing fediverse network, a collection of social networks that are interconnected and can share data. This approach allows users to more easily transfer data from one platform to another, thus maintaining control over it.
Pixelfed was created in 2018 by developer Daniel Superno. The platform offers an Instagram-like experience: users can share photos and videos, send private messages. However, Pixelfed stands out for its ad-free policy, open source code, and chronological news feed, making it an attractive choice for those who want to avoid algorithmically driven platforms like Instagram and Threads.
The launch of Pixelfed’s mobile apps came at an important time, which may give the service additional popularity. Amid the possible blocking of TikTok in the US, users are looking for alternatives that are not tied to large corporations such as Meta. Especially after the recent scandalous changes. Thanks to its decentralized structure and privacy policy, Pixelfed could be a promising option for those seeking more control over their social media experience.
Before the release of the official apps, Pixelfed users mostly accessed the platform through web browsers or third-party applications such as Impressia. Now, with the launch of its own mobile apps on major platforms, the service is gaining momentum. The Android version came out a little earlier than the iOS app and quickly became No. 1 in the Social Networking category on Google Play in several countries, including the United States, according to Superno’s report on Mastodon.
The developer also reported that Pixelfed’s most popular server, pixelfed.social, saw a significant increase in users: over 11 thousand new users registered on it in the last 24 hours, and over 78 thousand posts were made on Tuesday.
Unlike traditional social networks, Pixelfed does not collect user data and remains free to use. The platform allows users to join existing community servers or create their own, as is the case with Mastodon.
