Instagram Reels Might Be Coming to Your TV Soon.
As I write this, I just got back from a lunch break that dragged on way too long because I couldn’t stop watching short YouTube videos on my TV. And if you enjoy vertical Reels videos on Instagram—and you have an Amazon Fire TV device—now you can do the same. Starting today, you can download the new Instagram for TV app to watch Reels on the big screen using a dedicated interface, which should be much more convenient than simply casting the mobile app from your phone.
The Instagram TV app, currently exclusive to Amazon devices, supports up to five accounts and has full functionality for searching Reels and profiles, as well as liking Reels and viewing comments or reactions (though text and photo posts are not included). Unlike the standard mobile feed, Amazon states that “Reels are organized into channels tailored to your interests,” which can be seen on the horizontal home screen.
These channels are somewhat similar to the YouTube Shorts interface built into the standard YouTube TV app, featuring a small selection of short videos to choose from based on a thumbnail. For example, there are “For You” and “Popular with Friends” sections, but you can also browse through any Reels at will and let the algorithm surprise you. Meta also states that channels can include Reels tailored to specific topics relevant to your interests, such as “sports highlights” or “hidden travel gems,” though the company hasn’t yet provided any screenshots or videos demonstrating this. According to Meta, the new app is currently in “early testing.” It’s launching on Amazon devices in the US, and the company says it will “expand to more devices and countries” as it learns more (Amazon also claims to be the “first” company to receive the app, implying that other companies will receive their own versions in the future).
Which devices support Instagram for TVs?
The Instagram for TV app is currently available on the Amazon App Store for the following devices:
-
Fire TV Stick HD
-
Fire TV Stick 4K Plus
-
Fire TV Stick 4K Max (1st and 2nd generation)
-
Fire TV 2-series
-
Fire TV 4-series
-
Fire TV Omni QLED Series
In addition to adding channels to Reels, Meta says future updates may also include ways to use your phone as a remote control, the ability to share feeds with friends, and a “more intuitive way to change channels.”
Instagram for TV leaves TikTok as the last major short-form video platform without a dedicated TV app, though The Information reported this summer that TikTok plans to catch up soon.
How to watch Instagram Reels on any smart TV or streaming device
While official Instagram for TV support is currently limited to Amazon devices, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you don’t have a Fire TV Stick or monitor. To watch Instagram Reels on your TV without the Instagram for TV app, open Instagram Reels on your phone and start watching. Then, open your phone’s quick settings menu by swiping down from the top-right corner.
On iOS, look for the screen mirroring button (it looks like two overlapping screens), and on Android, look for a button labeled something like “Cast” (it may differ depending on your device). Tap it to see nearby compatible wireless screen mirroring devices, which will allow you to view the Instagram mobile app on your TV and even stream audio. It’s not ideal—my LG OLED TV works with iOS screen mirroring, but not with Pixel casting—but it’s worth a try.