Instagram is reportedly testing a new feature on iOS that will allow users who don’t have the app to still watch Reels in the app’s native interface. This will be done through App Clips, a feature added to iPhone in 2021 with the iOS 14 update. App clips are like previews where users can use specific features before deciding to download the full app. It is worth noting that TikTok also has an App Clip that allows non-users to watch its short video content.

This information comes from 9to5Mac Report An App Clip has been discovered in Instagram app version 319.0.2, which beta testers can use via TestFlight. App Clip allows iOS users to watch Instagram’s short video content Reels in the app’s native UI instead of on a browser. So if a friend shares a link to Reel in iMessage, the user can now view it normally just as it appears on the Instagram app. The report adds that there is no need to create an Instagram account to use this feature.

With App Clips, users can watch Reel, scroll through more popular videos, and even share them with others. However, after the sixth volume, the app clip prompts the user to download the app and highlights the report.

apple definition App Clips are “small portions of your app that are discoverable when needed, allowing people to complete quick tasks with your app – even before the full app is installed.” Some of these tasks can be renting a bike, running on Restaurant payments and more. Note, however, that App Clips are still mini-apps that need to be downloaded first. They are simply smaller in size and are discovered when the user encounters a specific command.

App Clips can be triggered via a variety of methods, from NFC tags and QR codes to shared links.Clicking it opens a drawer at the bottom that displays the name of the app and Open button, click to open the app clip in full screen and let the user perform a task. App Clips can send notifications up to eight hours after they are opened.

These are intended to serve as demos or previews of the application so that concerned users can give it a test run before proceeding with the longer process of downloading and installing.