Flashes, Bluesky Photo App, Launches on App Store

Bluesky users now have a dedicated platform for sharing visual content with the launch of Flashes, a new photo and video app designed specifically for those who prefer a more image-centric experience. Originally teased earlier this year and created by Sebastian Vogelsang, Flashes offers an alternative for Bluesky users who want to focus on visual storytelling rather than the microblogging format that Bluesky itself supports.

The app allows users to post up to four photos or a one-minute video in each post. A unique “Portfolio” mode lets users curate their profiles, showcasing only the media they choose to share. Additionally, Flashes offers a feature that hides engagement metrics such as likes, comments, and reposts, potentially reducing social media pressure and improving mental well-being for some users. An automatic alt-text generator is also built into the app, making it more accessible for those with visual impairments.

Flashes integrates seamlessly with Bluesky, which allows users to customize their content discovery experience by choosing from more than 50,000 different feeds. The app’s focus on visual content provides a refined, photo-first approach within the decentralized network that Bluesky offers.

Despite being newly launched, Flashes has already garnered significant attention, with its Bluesky account gaining more than 68,000 followers in just two weeks and its beta test reaching its 10,000-user capacity within hours. Vogelsang’s vision for Flashes is to provide a user-friendly, visual-first platform that ensures content ownership and decentralization, allowing creators to thrive without being locked into one platform.