Instagram Now Wants You To Watch Reels On TV, Not Just Your Phone: All Details

If you enjoy watching Instagram Reels but feel the phone screen is too small, Meta-owned social media platform Instagram has something new for you. The popular Meta-owned company has launched a Reels-first

app made specially for televisions, allowing users to watch vertical videos on the big screen for the first time.The idea behind the app is simple. Instagram says many users like watching Reels together with friends and family, and TV screens make that shared experience better.

How The Instagram TV App Works

Unlike the regular Instagram mobile app, this TV version is fully focused on Reels. Once users log in, they see Reels neatly organised into interest-based channels. These include music, sports highlights, travel, trending moments and other popular categories.The home screen shows horizontal rows of video thumbnails, making it easy to browse content using a TV remote. Clicking on any thumbnail opens the Reel in full portrait mode, just like on a phone.ALSO READ: WhatsApp Update: Just Like Instagram, You Will Soon Be Able To Save Status Drafts - Here Is How Captions, likes, and other engagement details appear on the sides of the screen.To keep the experience familiar, users can swipe up (using the remote) to move to the next Reel, similar to how it works on smartphones.

Multiple Accounts And Creator Search

Instagram has also added support for up to five accounts on a single TV. This means different family members can log in and get personalised Reels based on their interests.Users can also search for creators, browse profiles, and explore content beyond what appears on the home feed, making the app more than just passive viewing.

Availability

At the moment, the Instagram Reels TV app is being tested in the US and is available only on Amazon Fire TV devices. Instagram says this is a pilot phase, and the app will expand to more devices and regions based on user feedback.The company is also working on new features. These include using a smartphone as a remote control and options to share or watch feeds together with friends, making the experience more interactive.