# Instapaper

> A simple tool to save web pages for reading later.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.instapaper.android](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.instapaper.android)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.instapaper.android`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Instant Paper, Inc.
- **Category:** TOOLS
- **Downloads:** 965,105
- **Rating:** 4.61 / 5 (12,865 ratings)
- **Version:** 6.4.1
- **Last updated:** 2026-08-13
- **First published:** 2012-06-03
- **Publisher country:** US
- **Size:** 30 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-12
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instapaper.android)
- **Website:** [http://instapaper.com](http://instapaper.com/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://instapaper.com/privacy](https://instapaper.com/privacy)

## Description

Instapaper is an easy-to-use Chrome extension designed to save and store articles for offline reading anytime, anywhere. It strips away clutter and full-sized layouts from web pages, delivering a clean, optimized text view perfect for both mobile and desktop devices. Users can enjoy distraction-free reading with adjustable fonts, dark mode, and customizable spacing, enhancing comfort whether reading on a tablet, phone, or computer.

With Instapaper, you can download up to 500 articles on your device and store unlimited articles on its website. It features offline access, organizing folders, sorting by popularity or date, and integrated dictionary and Wikipedia lookups. The extension also supports sharing through browsers or apps, previewing links within the app, tilt scrolling, and page-flipping for an immersive reading experience. Instapaper ensures you stay connected with your favorite content, even without internet access.

## Rankings

- #69,706 — Overall
- #30 — article

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_AD_ID`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_ADSERVICES_ATTRIBUTION`
- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE`
- `android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MEDIA_PLAYBACK`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS`
- `android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.WRITE_SETTINGS`
- `com.android.vending.BILLING`
- `com.google.android.finsky.permission.BIND_GET_INSTALL_REFERRER_SERVICE`
- `com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID`
- `com.instapaper.android.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`

## Review summary

Users praise Instapaper as a strong Pocket replacement with ad-free offline reading and solid save-for-later capabilities. However, recurring issues include syncing glitches, inconsistent site compatibility, and serious stability concerns like data loss. They also note the lack of data export/backup and readability limitations (fonts and alignment). Overall, it’s highly valued for offline reading but faces stability and feature-gap challenges that affect long-term usability.

### Pros

- Excellent for saving articles to read later with offline access
- Ad-free, clutter-free reading experience
- Strong Pocket replacement / better than Pocket
- Great overall offline reading capability on mobile
- Supports on-page highlighting when browsing (valued feature)

### Cons

- Syncing problems causing old/deleted items to pop up and new items slow to appear; requires cache clearing
- Inconsistent site compatibility; many sites do not render correctly or articles cannot be read
- Serious data instability: app can fail or wipe data
- No easy export/backup of saved items
- Readability limitations: limited fonts and no justified alignment (missing RTL/LTR justification)

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.instapaper.android)