Instagram Reels can now be paused with a single tap

Instagram has changed how Reels work: a single tap now pauses the video instead of muting it. The update is live on the web and rolling out to Android and iOS through the latest app version.

Previously, users had to tap and hold to pause a Reel, while a regular tap only muted the sound. Now, one tap pauses playback, and once paused, an on-screen option lets users mute the audio. Meta announced the change in a post on Threads, positioning it as a way to make Reels easier to control and interact with.