Instagram could launch Reels as a standalone app

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A new report from The Information suggests that Meta is taking an even bolder step by planning to spin off Reels into a standalone app. 

Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, reportedly informed employees about the initiative, which would separate Reels from Instagram’s core platform. 

Currently, Reels exists as a dedicated tab within Instagram, but if launched independently, the new app would function similarly to TikTok, operating as a distinct entity rather than being integrated into a larger social media experience.

This strategic shift is part of Instagram’s broader initiative, known as Project Ray, aimed at improving video recommendations for new users in the US and increasing the distribution of three-minute videos. 

It remains unclear whether Meta will completely remove Reels from Instagram or maintain dual functionality across both apps.

Regardless, launching a separate Reels app would mark Meta’s most aggressive attempt yet to position itself as a viable TikTok alternative. 

Meanwhile, Instagram has faced scrutiny over content moderation issues, with users recently reporting a surge in disturbing material.

The company acknowledged the issue as an error and has since implemented a fix.

Instagram wants Reels to be TikTok’s replacement  

Since the beginning of 2025, TikTok has been under significant pressure in the United States, with its parent company, ByteDance, facing demands from the Trump administration to sell its US operations. 

The situation escalated in mid-January when the app was briefly removed from digital storefronts before being reinstated with a 75-day extension to secure a buyer. 

Despite the uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future, rival companies have quickly moved to capitalize on the disruption.

One of the first competitors to gain traction was RedNote, an emerging short-form video platform that surged in popularity when TikTok was on the verge of being taken down from the Google Play Store. 

Meanwhile, Meta also took swift action. Instagram introduced “Edits,” a video editing app positioned as a direct competitor to CapCut, another ByteDance-owned product widely used for editing TikTok videos.

Would you use Reels as a separate app? Or would you want it to be integrated into Instagram? Tell us below in the comments, or reach out to us via our Twitter or Facebook.