Can you pause Instagram Reels? Well, in the past, Instagram didn’t offer a way to pause videos, so if you wanted to rewatch a part of a video, you had to wait until it finished and then play it again or hope the app would automatically replay it. Then, Instagram introduced a new feature called Reels, which are short, often funny and entertaining videos similar to those on TikTok.
Initially, Instagram Reels, like other videos on the platform, couldn’t be paused. Recently, though, Instagram has made some changes. In this blog post, I’ve gathered all the information you need on how to pause Instagram Reels on both your phone and desktop. Ready to get started? So, let’s dive in without wasting another second.
How to Pause Instagram Reels on Phone?
First, choose the Instagram Reel you want to pause. To pause it, simply press and hold your finger on the screen while watching the part of the video you’re interested in. When you’re ready to continue watching, just release your finger to resume the video.
Note: There’s another method that involves tapping once on the screen to pause the Reel. According to my research on Instagram algorithm, this method currently works for SOME Android users. Previously, tapping once on the screen would only toggle the sound on or off.
This still happens for most users, but for some, tapping once now pauses the video and simultaneously brings up the sound option. This allows you to decide whether you want the sound on or off. To better understand, take a look at the following image.
Easy, right? That’s all there is to it! Now you know how to pause Instagram Reels. Let’s see how you can do it on the Instagram desktop version.
Suggested Post: Instagram Reel Ideas For Businesses & Influencers
How to Pause Instagram Reels on Desktop?
The same process applies to pausing Reels on desktop. To pause a Reel on desktop, simply click on the video, and it will pause easily. To turn on the sound, you can click the sound icon at the bottom right of the screen or click the same icon to mute it.
Why Can’t I Pause Instagram Reels?
As mentioned earlier, in previous versions of Instagram, Reels and other types of videos couldn’t be paused. If you’re still unable to pause Reels, you may need to check Google Play or the App Store to ensure you have the latest version of Instagram on your phone. Other possible reasons include:
- Instagram glitches or temporary errors: These issues can sometimes occur, so you may need to wait for Instagram to fix them. Alternatively, try reinstalling the app or clearing the cache.
- Instagram hasn’t activated the pausing feature for your account yet: The second method of pausing videos might not be available to all users at this time.
- Phone-related issues: There might be a problem with your phone. Try closing the app and reopening it to see if that resolves the issue.
- Video settings: Some videos may not be pausable because the creator or account owner has chosen specific settings for their videos.
Suggested Post: How to Make a Reel on Instagram in Minutes?
Last Words
To sum it up, pausing Instagram Reels is easy once you know how. On your phone, just press and hold the screen, or give it a tap if that works for you. On your desktop, simply click the video to pause. If you’re having trouble, make sure your app is updated, or try a few quick fixes. Now you know how to pause Instagram Reels, so you can watch and enjoy them just the way you want.
FAQs
Now, let’s check some of your frequently asked questions.
1. How to Pause Instagram Reels Without Holding?
If you want to pause Instagram Reels without holding down your finger on the screen, try simply tapping once on the video. This method works for some users, particularly on Android devices. When you tap the screen, the Reel should pause, and you can tap again to resume. If this doesn’t work for you, it may depend on your device or app version, so make sure your Instagram app is up to date.
2. Can I Pause Instagram Reels on All Devices?
Yes, you can pause Instagram Reels on both mobile devices (iPhone and Android) and desktops. The methods may vary slightly depending on your device.
3. Can I Pause Instagram Reels with the Sound Off?
Yes, you can pause Reels whether the sound is on or off. If the sound is off, you can tap the sound icon to turn it on or mute it before pausing.
