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Instagram Apple TV app: Reels, videos, and live streams arrive on the big screen

27.10.2026 • 10h59

Meta's famous social network continues its conquest of the big screens with the launch of its official app on Apple TV. Available since the end of October on the tvOS App Store, this new interface allows users to enjoy Reels, long videos, and live streams while comfortably settled on their sofa. A key step in Instagram's strategy to establish itself in living rooms, far beyond the simple smartphone.

Instagram is no longer the exclusive preserve of our touchscreens. The Menlo Park giant is accelerating its expansion onto connected televisions with the quiet rollout of its dedicated app for Apple’s ecosystem. Initially spotted by our colleagues at MacRumors following a discreet App Store update on October 23, this new version makes it possible to find content from your favorite creators directly on your TV. Until very recently, archived versions of the app listing mentioned only the iPhone and iPad (the latter having also received its dedicated version in September 2025, after years of complaints from the community).

Instagram Reels to share from the sofa Designed for the comfort of the living room, the Instagram app for Apple TV logically places the emphasis on video. While the famous Reels, video sequences that play automatically based on the viewer’s interests, remain at the heart of the experience, the platform’s Apple TV app also allows users to discover longer content and access live broadcasts (Live). The goal is to offer friendly, shared viewing with family or friends. A major strength in terms of usability is that it is possible to resume playback of videos from one device to another completely seamlessly.

From Fire TV to Apple TV, the Smart TV loop is complete This arrival on Apple’s set-top box confirms a strategy launched by Meta several months ago. Indeed, the company began testing its TV interface as early as December 2025 on Amazon Fire TV sticks in the United States. Deployment then continued at the start of 2026 on the Google TV OS, then on Samsung Smart TVs powered by Tizen last June. Integration into tvOS therefore completes the social network’s presence on the main living-room operating systems.

Microdramas and long-form videos on the program Beyond simple short formats, this port hides a genuine editorial ambition. Meta is keenly eyeing content capable of “serializing” and “microdramas,” those series made up of very short sequences designed for mobile but well suited to the big screen. Since the television naturally provides a context conducive to longer viewing sessions, the company intends through this to multiply viewing opportunities and build audience loyalty in the face of giants like YouTube or TikTok. The Instagram app for Apple TV is available as a free download on the App Store even though it is not yet active.

Reminder of the key features of the Instagram Apple TV app:

• Type: tvOS app (social network and video)

• Compatibility: Apple TV boxes

• Required system: tvOS 26.0 (or later)

• Key features: Reels playback, long videos, live broadcasts (Live)

• Usability: continuous playback synchronized across devices (cross-device functionality)