Instagram launches app for Apple TV, bringing Reels to the big screen

Instagram is no longer limited to the small screen of a mobile phone. Meta has now made the popular social media platform available for Apple TV as well. Users will be able to watch Reels on a big screen, along with other videos and live shows on their television.

The company has tried to take Instagram's video experience beyond the smartphone and into the living room. Friends and family can sit together and watch Instagram content. Instead of watching Reels alone on a mobile phone, users can enjoy them with friends and family on the big TV screen.

The Instagram app has now appeared on the App Store for Apple TV. Earlier, the app's listing on the App Store offered support only for iPhone and iPad, and Apple TV was not included. The company has now released the app for Apple TV too. Users can download Instagram on Apple TV and watch Reels on the big screen.

The app can be downloaded free of charge. It also offers an in-app purchase option. One thing needs to be kept in mind, however: to watch Instagram on the big screen, the Apple TV must run tvOS 26.0 or a newer software version.

The TV experience will not be limited to short videos. Users can watch videos from their favourite creators and also search for content according to their interests. Besides Reels, the app will offer the option of watching longer videos and live shows. Another feature allows users to continue on the TV a video they were watching partway on another device.

Meta has made this expansion in stages rather than all at once. A trial began in December 2025 with Instagram support on Amazon Fire TV devices. The Instagram app was then extended to Google TV in February 2026 and to Samsung smart TVs in June 2026. With the app now available on Apple TV as well, Meta has sought to take its video platform to as many people as possible.