Instagram seems to be replacing blue in favor of purple color for buttons

Instagram’s signature blue buttons are fading to purple. Users logging into the app this month are spotting a fresh coat of paint on buttons like “Follow” and “Message,” swapping the app’s longtime blue accents for a new purple vibe. The change is part of a broader profile redesign that’s been in the works since late 2024.

Back in October, we spotted Instagram testing a sleeker look for profile pages, swapping solid-colored buttons for outlined ones. At the time, we didn’t notice any changes to the accent color. But the latest version of this update, rolling out widely this month, has ditched blue entirely for purple. The shift is catching users off guard.

“Why tf is everything purple,” posted one confused Reddit user this week, sharing a screenshot of their updated profile. Others on social media aren’t thrilled. “Instagram’s primary color is now Purple? Hmm,” wrote a user on X. Another pleaded, “Whoever is changing the color scheme and grid size on Instagram… ENOUGH.”

The purple buttons aren’t the only headache. Users are also reeling from Instagram’s recent switch to rectangular profile grids, which replaced the app’s classic square layout. That change sparked chaos for photographers, artists, and creators who spent years carefully arranging their feeds.

Now the purple buttons are adding fuel to the fire. While some shrug it off as a minor tweak, others see it as another misstep. “They are changing and their updates get worse,” wrote a user on Reddit. So why purple? Instagram hasn’t officially explained the switch, but it’s likely part of a larger rebranding effort.

But longtime Instagram users are struggling to keep up. For some, the purple buttons are just another jarring shift in an app that feels less familiar by the month. That said, the backlash isn’t surprising. People get attached to the apps they use daily, and even small tweaks can feel disruptive. Remember when Snapchat changed its layout in 2018? Users revolted. Instagram’s team is likely hoping this blowback fades as everyone gets used to the new look.

For now, it seems the update is still rolling out at a snail’s pace. Not everyone has received the new UI or updated purple accent color yet. But you might as well brace yourself for it because it’s coming eventually.