All I can say is that there we multiple good ones but Instagram crippled them, devs have repeatedly expressed their frustration and gave up practically. So no there is no frontend for Instagram that’s works anymore. Thanks meta!

What works best for me is the web version on desktop with an ad blocker. Runs relatively smoothly, no annoying ads.

It works as long as you’re on an IP address that Meta approves. If you’re using a VPN (or even PiHole iirc) it doesn’t work.

So I have to use their malware on my phone when someone sends me a DM on there.