Instagram removes third-party AR filters from app as announced earlier

Instagram seems to have officially removed most (if not all) third-party AR filters from its app, leaving users frustrated and confused. The change isn’t a surprise — it was announced last August when Meta said it would shut down its Meta Spark platform. But even with advance notice, the sudden disappearance of filters has caught many users off guard.

Meta Spark was the platform creators used to make AR effects and face filters for Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. These were the filters that turned you into a cartoon character, gave you silly hats, or added some sparkle to your selfies. As of today, they’re all gone. Now, only the AR filters made by Meta itself are available for the most part, and, let’s be honest, they aren’t exactly thrilling.

When you open the filters/effects page, you might see the following notice pop-up:

Users on Reddit haven’t been shy about sharing their disappointment. One person wrote, “I spent two years collecting these filters.” Another mentioned that the filters disappeared from multiple devices in their household. Many are calling the move a huge mistake, especially since Instagram hasn’t offered anything new or exciting to fill the gap.

Meta initially framed the decision as part of a broader shift in focus. In their announcement last year, they said they wanted to prioritize AR projects that align with their future plans, like augmented reality glasses. But to users, it just feels like another big company stripping away something fun and creative without offering a good reason — or a good replacement.

What’s really stinging is how much people loved these third-party filters. They weren’t just random gimmicks; they were tools for self-expression, creativity, and even professional projects like cosplaying and small business branding. Now, users are scrambling to find alternatives on other platforms like Snapchat or TikTok.

Adding insult to injury, some users are speculating that Meta’s decision might also be tied to recent controversies about “unrealistic beauty standards.” Whether that’s true or not, many argue that taking away third-party filters doesn’t solve anything. If anything, it leaves people with fewer options to express themselves in unique, creative, or silly ways.

For now, Instagram users will have to make do with what’s left. But judging by the reaction online, it’s clear this change has left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths. Given the fact that this decision has been in the pipeline for a while, it’s unlikely that Meta will bring back filters following the backlash. But hey, maybe they’ll have a change of heart like they did with fact-checking. With enough pushback, anything’s possible.