Why Instagram opens to Reels, and how to get your feed back (2026)
If Instagram now opens straight to Reels, you are probably in one of Meta's tests. In October 2025 Instagram let a small group in India make Reels and DMs the first two tabs, and in October 2026 it was reported testing an option to open to the Reels feed. Both were described as optional, with a way to switch back. Instagram's iPad app was designed to open to Reels from the start. The home feed is still there: tap Home, or pick Following to see only people you follow. To have Instagram open to your feed or DMs with the Reels tab hidden, use minulo, where hiding is free.
Written by Ayumu Kitabayashi, the developer of minulo. Facts about Instagram come from the sources listed below, checked on 2026-10-24. Menu names can change with app updates.
| Situation | What you can do | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| You joined a Reels-first test | Switch back. Instagram described both tests as an option you can leave. | We could not confirm the exact menu in Instagram's help. |
| You just want the feed | Tap Home, then Instagram at the top left › Following for only people you follow. | You pick Following again each time. |
| Instagram on iPad | Instagram says the iPad app opens to Reels by design. The Following tab is one tap away. | We found no setting to change where it opens. |
| minulo (free, iPhone) | Opens Instagram's website to the feed with the Reels tab hidden, or straight to Messages. | The official Instagram app itself does not change. |
Why Instagram is pushing Reels to the front
On October 1, 2025, Instagram head Adam Mosseri wrote: "Reels and DMs have driven most all our growth at Instagram over the last few years, so we are exploring making them the first two tabs." He said it was an option for a small group of people in India, that photos from accounts you follow are still in the Home tab, and that people who opt in can opt right out.
On October 5, 2026, Social Media Today reported a new test, found by app researcher Radu Oncescu, that lets users choose to open Instagram to the Reels feed. According to the in-app explainer it reported, Stories stay at the top, you swipe across to the regular feed, and you can go back to the regular feed whenever you want. In February 2026 the same site reported a redesign test that opens to Reels with a new "Your Feeds" center.
How to get back to your feed
- If you turned on a Reels-first option, look for the prompt or setting that switches back to the regular feed. Mosseri and the 2026 explainer both said you can leave it, but we could not find the exact menu in Instagram's help.
- Otherwise, tap Home (the house icon) to get to your feed.
- To skip suggested posts, tap Instagram at the top left and choose Following.
Following shows posts from people you follow, newest first. It doesn't stay, so Instagram opens to the regular view again next time. See how to see only people you follow.
Why Instagram on iPad opens to Reels
When Instagram launched its iPad app in September 2025, it said: "Now, when you open the app, you'll drop into Reels." That was a design choice for bigger screens, not a bug. The iPad app added a Following tab with All, Friends and Latest views. Latest is in time order.
Open Instagram to your feed or DMs with minulo
minulo opens Instagram's official website inside the app on iPhone. It starts on the feed, not on Reels, and Messages, Feed and My posts open straight from the minulo home screen. With the gear next to Instagram you can hide the Reels tab, suggested posts and Stories, or turn on Every tab but DMs. Reels sent to you in DMs pause before the endless feed starts, and Open for 5 min lets you watch for five minutes.
Hiding is free. If you keep tapping the official app out of habit, minulo can lock it with Screen Time, which is free for up to 2 hours per block. While it is locked, its notifications don't arrive. minulo is an iPhone app; there is no iPad version.
Why does my Instagram open to Reels now?
Instagram has been testing Reels-first layouts. In October 2025 it let a small group in India make Reels and DMs the first two tabs, and in October 2026 it was reported testing an option to open straight to the Reels feed. Both were described as optional. On iPad, the Instagram app opens to Reels by design.
How do I make Instagram open to my feed again?
If you opted into a Reels-first test, switch back; Instagram said you can leave these tests, but we could not confirm the exact menu in its help. Otherwise tap Home to get to your feed, and tap Instagram at the top left › Following to see only people you follow. Instagram doesn't remember Following, so you choose it again each time.
Can I remove the Reels tab from Instagram?
No. We could not find a setting in Instagram's help that removes the Reels tab as of October 2026. To use Instagram without it, open Instagram in an app that hides the Reels tab, such as minulo, where this is free and DMs keep working.
Why does Instagram on iPad open to Reels?
Instagram designed its iPad app that way. When it launched in September 2025, Instagram said that when you open the app you drop into Reels, with Stories at the top and messages one tap away. The iPad app also has a Following tab with All, Friends and Latest views.
How do I open Instagram straight to DMs?
We found no setting in the Instagram app for this. In minulo, Messages opens straight from the minulo home screen, and you can turn on Every tab but DMs so only DMs and notifications are left. Hiding is free.
Sources
- Adam Mosseri on Threads (2025-10-01): Reels and DMs as the first two tabs, India, opt-in
- Social Media Today (2026-10-05): Instagram tests option to open to Reels
- Social Media Today (2025-10-02): Instagram Tests Opening To Reels as the Main Feed
- Social Media Today (2026-02-23): Instagram emphasizes Reels in new design update
- Instagram: Introducing Instagram for iPad (opens to Reels)
- Instagram Help: Only see posts and reels from people you follow on Instagram
- App Store (US): minulo
