The photo and video sharing social media platform Instagram is reportedly expanding its ecosystem by introducing a dedicated application for smart televisions powered by Google TV. This move is part of the effort by Meta Platforms to bring the social media experience to a much larger screen compared to smartphones.
Reported by Jagat Gadget, the information about the upcoming application was shared directly by Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, through his post on the platform Threads. In the post, Mosseri showed a brief preview of the Instagram interface running on a TV device powered by Google TV.
The arrival of Instagram on Google TV opens new opportunities for users to enjoy short-form video content such as Reels in a more immersive way. So far, most people access Instagram through their smartphones, but with a television’s larger display, visual content can be enjoyed in a completely different experience.
Beyond expanding the platform’s reach, this step also reflects how social media consumption is evolving and becoming increasingly integrated with home entertainment devices.
Watching Reels on a Bigger Screen
Based on the video shared by Adam Mosseri, the Google TV version of Instagram will still maintain the familiar user experience. When opening the application, users will be able to choose which account they want to use, especially useful for those who manage multiple Instagram accounts.
Once an account is selected, the system will immediately display various Reels tailored to the user’s preferences. Instagram’s recommendation algorithm will continue to play a key role in delivering videos that match each user’s interests.
The interface will also include a search feature that allows users to find their favorite creators or explore specific types of content. With the search bar, users can easily look for creator accounts, particular topics, or trending videos on the platform.
Watching Reels on a television also offers a different viewing sensation compared to a smartphone screen. Short vertical videos that are typically viewed on mobile devices will appear much larger, providing a clearer and more comfortable visual experience.
This setup also allows users to enjoy Instagram content together with family or friends, something that is rarely done when watching social media content on personal smartphones.
Smartphones Can Work as a Remote Control
In addition to bringing a TV-optimized interface, Instagram is also reportedly working on additional features to improve the user experience. One of the features under development is the ability to use a smartphone as a remote control for operating the Instagram application on a TV.
With this feature, users would not need to rely entirely on the television’s physical remote. Smartphones could be used to navigate content, select videos, and perform searches more quickly and conveniently.
The concept is considered interesting because it leverages a device that users almost always have in their hands. Using a smartphone as a controller would also make navigation easier, especially when typing search queries or switching between multiple accounts.
In fact, the plan to bring Instagram to television devices is not entirely new. Previously, Meta had already launched an Instagram application for Amazon Fire TV the year before. At that time, the company also hinted that support for Google TV would follow soon.
Now, the dedicated Instagram application for Google TV has finally begun to roll out. However, the release is still limited as the app is currently in a testing phase.
For now, the Instagram app on Google TV is only available to users in United States. There has been no official announcement yet regarding when the service will expand to other countries, including Indonesia.
If the global rollout eventually happens, Instagram’s presence on Google TV could change the way people consume social media content. The platform would not only serve as a place to share photos and videos but could also become a new source of entertainment in the living room through the television screen.
