Instagram launches new app – mobil.se

Instagram tests new interface prioritizing Reels and direct messages Instagram has begun testing a redesigned interface in India and South Korea that opens the app directly to the Reels tab, according to a report from Mobil.se dated September 29, 2025. In the updated layout, the Stories section remains at the top of the navigation bar, even as the direct messages button has been moved to the center of the tab bar. The Reels tab now appears in the second position, allowing users to swipe between views to navigate the app. The revised following tab includes three distinct views: an “All” feed showing recommended content from followed accounts, a “Friends” section featuring posts from mutual connections, and a “Latest” view displaying the most recent posts and Reels from accounts users follow. Instagram confirmed the test is currently limited to a small group of users but stated the goal is a global rollout. The company cited its recent report of over 3 billion monthly active users across its platforms and the sharing of 4.5 billion short videos monthly as key motivations for emphasizing Reels and direct messaging in the app’s interface. The update reflects Instagram’s ongoing effort to adapt its user experience to shifting engagement patterns, particularly the rising popularity of short-form video content and private sharing features. By surfacing Reels immediately upon launch and improving access to direct messages, the platform aims to streamline how users discover content and connect with close contacts. The test builds on Instagram’s broader strategy to compete in the short-video space while reinforcing its core social functions, though no timeline has been provided for when the changes might expand beyond the initial test markets.