Instagram is preparing to bring Reels from your phone to your TV. Meta has started testing a new Instagram app designed specifically for TVs, enabling users to watch Reels on a significantly larger screen.
The test is launching first in the United States and will be available on Amazon Fire TV devices.
The TV app is focused entirely on Reels. When you open it, you will see personalized rows of videos selected based on your interests. These videos are displayed in horizontal collections, making it easy to browse using a TV remote. Once you select a video, it plays in full vertical format, similar to how it looks on a phone, with the caption on one side and engagement details like likes and shares on the other. When one video ends, the next one slides up smoothly from the bottom of the screen.
Instagram says the app will show Reels from accounts you already follow, along with popular and recommended videos tailored to your viewing habits. After signing in, users will see rows called Channels, which group Reels by topics such as sports, food, music, trends, or seasonal events. Some Channels highlight what is trending across Instagram, while others are personalized based on how you use the platform.
The TV app also includes search features, allowing users to find specific creators, browse profiles that focus on Reels, and explore content based on their interests. Instagram says up to five accounts can be logged in on a single TV, making it easier for different people in the household to enjoy their own personalized feeds.
Meta has shared that more features may be added later. These could include using a phone as a remote control and easier ways to move between Channels, similar to flipping through TV channels.
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For now, the Instagram TV app is limited to the US and supports most Fire TV Stick models, as well as Fire TV Series 2 and Omni televisions. Meta has not yet shared when or if the app will expand to other platforms or regions.
