App

Upscrolled App Download for Android (APK) & iPhone 2026

zarkachatFebruary 3, 2026Last Updated: February 3, 2026

Upscrolled App Download for Android (APK) & iPhone, launched by Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian developer Issam Hijazi through his Australian company Recursive Methods, has rapidly evolved from a niche alternative into a mainstream contender—surging to become the #2 free app on the iOS App Store in early 2026 With over 2.5 million users as of February 2026, this microblogging and short-form video platform positions itself as a space for “authentic connection and genuine expression,” attracting users seeking alternatives to conventional social networks amid growing concerns about content moderation and algorithmic control Blending familiar features reminiscent of Instagram, TikTok and X, UpScrolled enables users to share photos, videos, text posts, real-time stories, and engage in instant messaging—all within an interface designed to prioritize meaningful interactions over passive scrolling. The app’s explosive growth in January 2026 coincided with shifting dynamics in the social media landscape, particularly as users explored alternatives following TikTok’s U.S. restructuring.

What is an Upscrolled app?

UpScrolled (UpScrolled) is a social media app for sharing photos, videos, and text posts, with a strong focus on free expression and transparent ranking of content.

What Upscrolled does

Lets you post photos, short and long videos, text posts, and stories, plus chat in real time with other users.
Offers a feed that is mainly chronological for people you follow, with a separate Discover section showing popular posts based on visible engagement (likes, comments, shares), not hidden algorithms.
Targets people who feel big apps (like the TikTok app or Instagram) over‑moderate or shadow‑ban content, and promises that every post has a fair chance to be seen.

Key features and policies

Combines elements of X (Twitter) and Instagram: text‑heavy discussions plus visual content and stories.
Age rating 16+ with in‑app controls; it moderates illegal content (e.g., drugs, serious crime) but otherwise allows wider political and social speech than many competitors.
Collects usual social‑app data (account info, location, photos, usage) mainly for security and account management, and states that user data is not sold to third parties and can be deleted by the user.

Why it’s getting attention

Created by Issam Hijazi, a Palestinian‑Jordanian‑Australian developer, it grew quickly in the US after controversies and structural changes around TikTok.
Positions itself as a platform where people can freely talk about sensitive topics (such as Palestine and Gaza) without sudden takedowns or muted reach, which attracted many early adopters.
Market itself as “your voice amplified” and emphasizes that there is no silent shaping of feeds, with any future AI‑based recommendations being optional and clearly explained.

Who is Issam Hijazi, the founder?

Issam Hijazi is a Palestinian‑Jordanian‑Australian technology entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of the social media platform UpScrolled.

Background

Described in public profiles as a technologist based in Australia, leading UpScrolled and the company behind it (Recursive Methods Pty Ltd).
Identifies as Palestinian, with reports noting that much of his extended family has been killed in the Gaza war, which strongly shaped his decision to build an alternative social platform.

Role and views

Known mainly for creating UpScrolled, promoted as a “no‑censorship” or low‑censorship alternative to mainstream social networks, especially around content about Palestine and Gaza.
Has gained media attention after speeches at Web Summit Qatar, where he sharply criticized major tech companies and what he describes as pro‑Israel or “Zionist” influence over social media and news narratives; some outlets and organizations have condemned parts of his remarks as antisemitic.

If you like, I can next explain how his political stance affects what you see and what is allowed on the UpScrolled app.

What features make UpScrolled different from TikTok?

Upscrolled is built to feel familiar to TikTok users, but some core design choices are different and closer to Instagram/X than to a pure short‑video app.

Content types and main feed

TikTok is video‑first: almost everything is short vertical video, and the default is the “For You” recommendation feed. Upscrolled mixes text, photos (multi‑image posts) and videos (up to around 20 minutes) in one main feed, so it behaves more like Instagram/X than a reels‑only app.
On Upscrolled, the default tab is the Following feed, showing posts from accounts you follow first; TikTok’s default is a personalized algorithmic feed dominated by what the system thinks you’ll watch, not just people you follow.

Algorithm, ranking, and censorship

Upscrolled’s core promise is a largely chronological feed with “no manipulation,” no shadowbans, and minimal moderation beyond clearly illegal or abusive content; it also markets itself as an answer to perceived political censorship on big platforms.
TikTok, in contrast, depends heavily on opaque recommendation algorithms, personalization signals, and aggressive moderation that can quietly reduce reach or remove certain political topics; users do not get a purely chronological main feed by default.

Discovery and user experience

Upscrolled separates Following and Discover: Discover shows popular posts based on engagement and light time‑decay, but there is no dedicated short‑video “For You” page tuned to keep you watching endlessly the way TikTok does.
TikTok’s experience is optimized for continuous scrolling of short clips (swipe up, new video, endlessly), whereas Upscrolled’s mix of text, images, and videos makes it feel more like a hybrid timeline/social feed and a bit more “manual” to explore.

Editing tools and maturity

TikTok has advanced in‑app editing: sounds, templates, effects, filters, stitching/duets, live features, and robust analytics for creators. Upscrolled currently offers more basic tools (trim, crop, simple filters) and is still early in building creator‑focused features.
Many Upscrolled videos right now are reposts from other platforms, while TikTok is a mature ecosystem where most content is created natively for its format and trends.

Positioning and community

Upscrolled openly positions itself as a freer alternative born out of frustration with how stories about Palestine, Gaza, and other sensitive topics were handled on major platforms; this shapes a strongly political and news‑heavy early community.
TikTok’s community is far broader and more entertainment‑oriented (music, memes, dance, challenges), with political content present but not its core identity.

Can You Earn Money from Upscrolled App?

1. Direct Monetization (Not yet available)

Ad Revenue Share: UpScrolled does not currently run a traditional ad network that pays creators.
Tips/Gifts: There is no “Live Gifting” or “Digital Tips” feature similar to TikTok or Instagram Stars integrated into the app yet.
Creator Funds: No official fund exists to pay users for views or engagement.

2. Indirect Monetization (How creators are currently making money)

Since the app features a chronological feed and no shadowbans, many creators are using it to build a highly engaged audience that they can monetize elsewhere:

Affiliate Marketing: Posting links to products in their bio or posts (since the app promises not to “throttle” posts containing outside links).
Brand Deals: Brands are beginning to look at UpScrolled for “unfiltered” influencer marketing, especially for audiences interested in social justice and niche hobbies.
Traffic Referral: Using UpScrolled to drive traffic to Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee, or personal websites.