Instagram made a change that stopped lots of third-party apps from working

Instagram effectively shut down many third-party apps after it restricted access to its API on Wednesday, Mac Rumors reports.

Third-party apps let people use Instagram without actually downloading the Instagram app. They worked by loading content using Instagram's public API. But that all came to an end on Wednesday.

Apps like Gramfeed, Mixagram, Fastfeed and Padgram have all stopped working because they no longer have access to the API.

Additionally, other apps like Flipboard and IFTTT have had functionality stop working because of the changes to the API. Some Flipboard users used to use the app view Instagram feeds, but that's no longer possible.

Instagram's decision will anger users of third-party apps, but it makes sense for the company to restrict exactly who has access to its API. It brings more users to its main app, and also avoids the problem of dodgy third-party apps. Snapchat ran into trouble in 2014 after a third-party client, Snapsaved, was found to have been secretly storing thousands of photos and videos that were meant to disappear.

NOW WATCH: This 14-year-old makes up to $1,500 a night eating dinner in front of a webcam in South Korea

Please enable Javascript to watch this video