Instagram Reels May Be Coming to Your TV
As I write this, I’m coming off a lunch break that lasted a little too long because I couldn’t stop watching YouTube Shorts on my TV. And if Instagram Reels are your own vertical video poison and you own an Amazon Fire TV device, now you can do the same. Starting today, you can download the new Instagram TV app to watch Reels on your big screen through a dedicated interface that should feel much more natural than just streaming the mobile app from your phone.
Currently exclusive to Amazon devices, the Instagram for TV app supports up to five accounts and comes with full functionality for searching Reels and profiles, as well as liking Reels and browsing comments or reactions (although text posts and photo posts are not included). Unlike the standard mobile feed, Amazon says “Reels are organized into channels tailored to your interests,” which you can view on a horizontal home screen.
These channels are somewhat similar to the YouTube Shorts interface built into the standard YouTube TV app, showing you a small selection of short films that you can choose from based on a thumbnail. Examples include “For You” and “Popular With Friends,” but you can also always browse any reel at your leisure and let the algorithm take you for a ride. A Meta post also states that channels could include Reels tailored to specific topics that match your interests, like “sports highlights” or “hidden travel gems,” although the company has yet to provide screenshots or videos showing this.
According to Meta, the new application is currently “an initial test”. It’s starting with US-based Amazon devices, and the company says it will “expand to more devices and countries” as it learns more (Amazon also says it’s the “first” company to get the app, implying others will get their own versions in the future).
What devices support Instagram for TV?
Currently, the Instagram TV app is available on the Amazon Appstore for what Amazon tells me is a wide range of Fire TV devices, including partner devices like the Panasonic W70B LED 4K TV. While a full list is not available at this time, the company’s blog post announcing the app specifically mentions support for the following devices:
In addition to adding channels to the Reels experience, Meta says future updates could also add ways to use your phone as a remote, share streams with friends, and explore “a more intuitive way to surf channels.”
Instagram for TV leaves TikTok as the last major short-form video platform without a dedicated TV app, although The Information reported earlier this summer that TikTok is looking to catch up soon.
What do you think of it so far?
How to Watch Instagram Reels on Any Smart TV or Streaming Device
Although official Instagram support for TV 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 display. To watch Instagram Reels on your TV without using the Instagram for TV app, open Instagram Reels on your phone and start browsing. Next, open your phone’s quick settings menu by swiping down from the top right corner.
On iOS, look for the screen mirroring button (which looks like two overlapping screens) and on Android, look for a button that says something like “Cast” (this varies depending on your device). Tap it to see all compatible wireless screen mirroring devices nearby, which will allow you to view the Instagram mobile app on a TV screen and even send audio with it. It’s not foolproof (my LG OLED TV works with iOS Screen Mirroring but not Pixel Casting), but it’s worth a shot.
Updated 12/16/2025: Updated with comment from Amazon confirming that the Instagram for TV app is available for additional devices beyond those mentioned in the company’s announcement post.
