Flashes Launches with 30K Downloads on Day One

Looking for an Instagram alternative that gives you more control and less algorithm chaos? Meet Flashes—the latest photo-sharing app to join the scene, and it's already making waves. After officially launching on the App Store this week, Flashes pulled in nearly 30,000 downloads in just 24 hours. Not bad for a debut.

So, what’s the big deal with Flashes? Well, for starters, it’s built on Bluesky, the decentralized social network that's been gaining serious momentum (with over 32 million users now in the mix). Thanks to Bluesky's open platform, Flashes users aren’t locked into one feed dictated by mysterious algorithms. Instead, you can explore over 50,000 custom feeds, meaning you decide what kind of content shows up on your timeline. Love landscape photography? There’s a feed for that. Obsessed with street style? There’s probably a feed for that too.

And here’s another win: posts you share on Flashes aren’t stuck inside the app. Since it’s running on Bluesky’s network, your photos can be seen by people across the wider Bluesky community, giving your work even more exposure beyond just Flashes users.

Of course, comparisons to Instagram are inevitable. Flashes does have familiar features like built-in photo filters, but it’s clear the app is going after a more creative crowd. For example, there’s a "Portfolio Mode" that lets you curate which photos appear on your profile, so visitors see your best work right away—perfect for photographers and visual artists wanting to make a strong first impression.

Flashes is also making space for community-driven content. One of its latest updates highlights a curated feed featuring photos from Blacksky, a community within Bluesky that’s been developing tools and features specifically for Black creators, like custom feeds and moderation services.

As for what's next, founder Vogelsang says he’s already talking to investors and is open to funding opportunities to keep the momentum going. By Thursday, Flashes had crossed 40,500 downloads, making it one of the most promising projects to emerge from the growing Bluesky ecosystem.

With decentralization on the rise and creators craving more control over their work, Flashes might just be the fresh, algorithm-free photo app we didn’t know we needed.