Instagram API - how to request more permissions for a Live client?

Question

We have a production app using the Instagram API - currently with only the basic permission scope approved. A couple of months down the line, we are now adding further functionality which requires the public_content permission. During development, I have used a new Sandbox Client ID, but now I'd like to have the current Live app submitted to request the public_content permission so that I can make the new functionality available to it. The Sandbox mode documentation states:

If you need access to more permissions, you can submit for review again and you will not lose access to the permissions that you have already been granted.

My question is: How can I submit a request for more permissions from Instagram when the Client is already out of Sandbox Mode?

The fact that it is already out of Sandbox Mode (with basic permissions), means that I cannot demonstrate the new functionality - after all, already being Live means I cannot authorise public_content from users. Instagram state We only review final and production version apps. Submissions with test and development version apps will not be approved. I don't see how this can be achieved?

I'm assuming that in this scenario, Instagram either does not expect you to have the functionality live (and perhaps a description/video will suffice for the extra permissions). Either that or they expect you to submit a new Sandbox app which demonstrates the functionality - but then this clearly won't be a production app. I'm clearly missing something, and the lack of documentation on this from Instagram isn't helping.

Would appreciate the help!

Answer 1

Just use the same process you used before. Click the "Manage" button for your client then, click "Start Submission" button under the "Permissions" tab. You'll need a new video demoing the permissions you want. This means, you need to set up the Sandbox so you actually can demo your use case for the permissions you want (fun stuff! lol).

Protip: Save your submission to a Word document so you can amend it. I made the mistake of not saving my original submission so when I went back, I had to work hard to make sure my language was in compliance with the use cases and stuff.

It's pretty simple to do what you want to do since you've already gotten through the approval process once - getting the sandbox set up can be tricky unless you have friend who will accept your sandbox invites (feel free to invite me @mikeghen, I'll accept).

If you're getting rejected, reread the use case you're applying for, make sure you actually can get the permissions you want using that use case, and then reread your document with the submission you submitted, you probably aren't being clear (Protip: don't say too much, be concise and let the video do the talking). I kind of feel silly for asking a similar question: Adding Features to Approve Instagram Client

Again, setting up a new Sandbox is probably where your struggling.

Protip: I suggest making another client (so you have a dev and production client) and then get the permissions you need using the dev client. Once you get the permissions you need, dev becomes production and production becomes dev.

Thank you for highlighting that line in the Sandbox docs, I didn't see that before. But I think that answers my question.