Bluesky, the open-source social media platform taking the internet by storm, has already surpassed 30 million users. As it continues to grow, the platform actively incorporates user feedback, introducing features like photo and video support, enhanced interaction tools, content filters, and now a dedicated media-sharing app.

Originally designed as a competitor to text-based platforms like X (Twitter), Bluesky is now expanding into new territory, positioning itself as a potential Instagram alternative. The move is great news for Bluesky users, who can now choose between a text-focused platform and a media-driven experience while using the same account login. Even better, Flashes doesn’t require an existing Bluesky account, so users can create a separate login if they prefer to keep their accounts unlinked.

In this article, we’ll explore how Bluesky Flashes differs from the main Bluesky platform, how to post photos and videos, and what you need to know about aspect ratio sizes on the new app.

Table of Contents

• What is Bluesky Flashes?
• Photo Aspect Ratios and Resolutions
• Video Aspect Ratios, Resolutions, and Length Limits
• How to Post Photos and Videos on Bluesky Flashes

What is Bluesky Flashes?

Bluesky Flashes is the newest media-focused social platform of 2025, designed to compete with apps like Instagram. For users frustrated with Instagram’s recent aspect ratio changes, Flashes offers a refreshing alternative by bringing back the classic square profile grid while supporting multiple aspect ratios across posts.

This flexibility allows users to maintain a uniform profile layout without sacrificing their content’s original format. Flashes give content creators full control over how they share media, ensuring their work is displayed as intended rather than restricted to strict size limitations. Like Bluesky, Flashes also includes customization options for limiting who can interact with posts.

The app simplifies navigation by giving users control over what they see. A drop-down menu at the top of the screen allows quick switching between different feeds, including any pinned feeds from Bluesky. This makes it easy for new users to customize their experience right from the start.

Overall, I found Flashes to be intuitive and user-friendly, with a positive and supportive community. The lack of ads and the platform’s early-stage growth contribute to a more engaging and encouraging environment. While testing different photo and video sizes, I received several positive interactions from other users despite not including alt text, post descriptions, or a cohesive content theme.

If you have ever looked for a growing platform with an engaged community, Flashes could be the perfect place to grow your presence.

Photo Aspect Ratios and Resolutions

Flashes does not impose strict resolution or aspect ratio limits on uploaded images like other photo apps. Instead, images appear in their original aspect ratio but are scaled down to fit within the post feed. In testing, I was able to upload and post images as large as 10,000 x 10,000 pixels, though this noticeably impacted app performance. I also tested an image with an extreme 15:1 aspect ratio, and Flashes displayed it without any issues.

Despite these generous upload limits, following standard aspect ratios will help ensure your content looks its best. Using a 1:1 (square), 4:5 (portrait), or 3:2 (horizontal photography) ratio will prevent excessive cropping and keep photos well-framed in the feed.

Among these, the 4:5 portrait ratio offers the best balance of visibility and space efficiency.

To optimize your photos for this size or any other, mobile image resizers like Kapwing make it easy to adjust dimensions without losing important details.

Kapwing provides over 15 preset social media sizes, allowing you to resize your content instantly for any platform.

How to Download Photos on Flashes

Flashes allows users to download photos directly from the app without watermarks.

To save an image, tap to view it on the full screen, then select the three-dot icon in the bottom right corner.

From there, tap Save to Photos, and the image will be downloaded to your device’s camera roll.

Video Aspect Ratios, Resolutions, and Length Limits

Like photos on Flashes, videos are supported in a wide range of resolutions and aspect ratios, up to 4K (4096 x 2160 pixels) and ultra-widescreen (21:9). However, larger video files tend to slow down the app, so keeping file sizes manageable will help ensure smooth playback. If a video takes too long to load, viewers are likely to scroll past it.

Not all aspect ratios are displayed consistently in the feed. For example, vertical videos in the standard 9:16 mobile aspect ratio are cropped to a 1:1 square.

However, tapping on a video will open it in full screen, where it appears in its original aspect ratio. While full-screen viewing restores the intended format, it is important to consider how your video looks in the feed, as this is the first impression viewers will have. If needed, online video resizers can help adjust aspect ratios to fit different formats.

Flashes has a strict video length limit, requiring videos to be under 60 seconds to post. Since the app does not allow you to upload any video greater than 60 seconds, you will need to edit longer videos in an external editor before uploading.

How to Download Videos on Flashes

Downloading videos from Flashes requires external help, as the app does not offer a native download option.

To download a video, start by tapping the three-dot icon on the post. Select Share, then choose Copy to copy the video link.

Next, open Kapwing in your browser and paste the copied link into the URL box on a new project. The video will automatically import into the editor, allowing you to make edits such as trimming, overlaying text, or removing the audio.

Once you are ready to save the video, select Export in the top right. Choose MP4 as the file type and select your preferred resolution before downloading the video to your device.

How to Post Photos and Videos on Bluesky Flashes

The best way to start building a presence on Flashes is by engaging with the community and consistently sharing content.

To post photos or videos, tap the lightning bolt icon at the bottom of the screen to create a new post.

Next, choose media from your device’s camera roll or select Photo or Video from the bottom menu to capture content within the app. Any media captured in-app will default to a 1:1 square aspect ratio, with videos limited to 60 seconds in length.

If uploading from your camera roll, you can select up to four images or one video per post. To upload multiple files, tap the file icon with two overlapping rectangles. Flashes also includes a tool opposite the file icon that can automatically crop images to square for profile display.

Once you’ve selected your media, you can add a post description (up to 300 characters), alt text for accessibility, and content moderation tools, such as warnings and interaction settings.

If posting a video, you will be prompted to trim the clip or select a thumbnail using a slider tool. Adjust these settings as needed, then tap Publish to share your post.

Deleting a Post

Recently, social media platforms have started making the process of deleting a post more complicated, but Flashes keeps it simple with a two-tap process.

To delete a post, go to your profile and locate the post you want to remove.

Tap the three-dot icon in the bottom right corner, then select Delete from the menu.