Instagram Reportedly Trials iOS App Clip for Instant Reels Viewing

Instagram’s App Clip: Watch Up to Six Reels in a Snap

Instagram is reportedly experimenting with a novel feature for iOS, enabling individuals without the app to still access Reels within Instagram’s familiar interface. This functionality leverages App Clips, introduced to iPhones in 2021 with the iOS 14 update. App Clips serve as previews, granting users a glimpse of specific app features before committing to a full download. Notably, TikTok also employs an App Clip, granting non-users access to its short-form video content.

Insights into this development arise from a recent 9to5Mac report, uncovering an App Clip embedded within Instagram’s beta version 319.0.2, accessible to testers via TestFlight. This App Clip empowers iOS users to enjoy Instagram’s Reels directly within the app’s native UI, rather than resorting to a web browser. Consequently, when a Reel link is shared via iMessage, recipients can seamlessly view it in its intended format, mimicking the Instagram experience sans the need for an account.

Functionality-wise, users can peruse Reels, explore additional trending videos, and effortlessly share content with peers. However, according to the report, once users have scrolled through six Reels, the App Clip nudges them towards downloading the full Instagram app, encouraging a deeper engagement with the platform.

Apple defines App Clips as “a small part of your app that’s discoverable at the moment it’s needed and lets people complete a quick task from your app — even before installing your full app.” Some of these tasks can be renting a bike, making a payment at a restaurant, and more. However, do note that App Clips are still mini apps that need to be downloaded first. They are just smaller in size and will become discoverable when the user encounters a specific command.

App Clips can be triggered through several methods, ranging from NFC tags and QR codes to shared links. Clicking on it opens a drawer at the bottom that shows the name of the app and an Open button, tapping which opens the App Clip in full screen and lets the user perform the task. App Clips can send notifications for up to eight hours after it has been opened.

These are meant to serve as a demo or a preview of the app so that users who are apprehensive about it can give it a test run before going through the longer process of downloading and installing it.