Instagram TV app rolls out on Google TV: Step-by-step guide to install

Instagram

• Instagram TV app now available on Google TV devices in the US
• Users can watch Reels, photos, and posts on their TV screens
• The app supports likes, comments, and multiple accounts per TV

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Instagram is no longer just an app for your phone. It is now coming to your TV as well. After launching on Amazon Fire TV in late 2025, Instagram has now expanded its TV app to Google TV devices. This means you can now watch Reels, photos, and posts on a much bigger screen—right from your living room.

The idea behind this move is pretty clear. People are spending more time watching content on TVs, and Instagram wants to be a part of that space. It is also trying to compete more directly with YouTube, which already dominates the big screen experience. By bringing its content to TVs, Instagram hopes users will spend more time watching videos.

Using the app is quite simple. It is designed to work smoothly with a TV remote. Once you open it, you will see content arranged in categories like comedy, music, sports, and lifestyle. When you click on a Reel, it starts playing instantly. After it ends, the next video plays automatically. You don’t have to keep scrolling like you do on your phone. It feels more like watching TV channels.

Instagram hasn’t limited the app to just videos. You can also view regular posts, including photos and carousel posts. Everything is adjusted to look good on a big screen. Vertical videos still appear in their original format, but they are optimised so they don’t feel awkward on a TV. Even captions and text are made bigger and clearer so you can read them from a distance.

One important thing is that the app is still interactive. You can like videos, check comments, and even reshare content directly from your TV. So, it’s not just about watching—you can still engage with content like you normally would.

Setting it up is easy. You just download the Instagram app from the Google Play Store on your TV, open it, and log in. You can either scan a QR code using your phone or enter your login details manually. Instagram also lets you add up to five accounts on one TV, which is useful if multiple people in your home want to use it.

Right now, the feature is available in the US, but it is expected to roll out to other countries soon. Overall, this shows Instagram is serious about moving beyond phones and becoming a bigger part of how people watch content at home.