If you’ve noticed that Reels have suddenly vanished from your Instagram app on iPhone, don’t worry – there are a few easy fixes you can try to get Reels back. The problem is usually just a minor bug or glitch in the app that can be resolved quickly.
Verify Instagram is Up-to-Date
The first step is to check that you have the latest version of Instagram installed. Open the App Store on your iPhone and go to the Updates tab. If Instagram is listed there, tap ‘Update’ to download the newest version. This will often fix problems like missing Reels.
You can also manually check for updates by going to your Instagram app page in the App Store. Tap the profile icon in the top right and scroll down to ‘App Support’. Then tap ‘Check for Update’ to see if there’s a newer version ready to install.
Force Quit and Relaunch Instagram
If Instagram is already fully updated, try force quitting the app and relaunching it. To force quit, double-press the Home button on your iPhone to bring up the multitasking view. Swipe up on the Instagram preview to fully close it. Then go back to your Home screen and tap the Instagram icon to launch it again.
Relaunching the app like this will clear out any cached data or glitches that could be preventing Reels from loading. In most cases, Reels should reappear after doing this simple reset.
Check Your Internet Connection
It’s also possible that Reels aren’t loading due to connectivity issues. Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled on your iPhone – you can check this in Settings > Wi-Fi. Toggle the switch at the top so it turns green.
If you’re using mobile data instead of Wi-Fi, try toggling Airplane Mode on and off. This will force your iPhone to reconnect to the cellular network, which may resolve any temporary outages.
Poor internet connectivity can prevent Reels and other content from loading in Instagram, so getting a stable connection again typically brings back missing Reels.
Update or Reinstall Instagram
If force quitting didn’t work, the next step is to either update Instagram again or uninstall and reinstall the app completely. This will clear out any corrupted data that could be causing Reels to disappear.
To update, open the App Store and tap your profile icon in the top right. Go to ‘App Support’ and tap ‘Check for Update’ to see if there’s a new version. If so, tap ‘Update’ to download it.
If Instagram is already updated, you’ll need to delete and reinstall the app. Tap and hold the Instagram icon on your Home screen until it starts wiggling. Then tap the ‘X’ to delete it. Next go back to the App Store and re-download Instagram to get a fresh copy.
Check If Reels Are Hidden
In some cases, your Reels may not be missing but just hidden from view. Instagram lets you choose whether Reels are shown in your main feed or not.
To check your Reels settings, go to your profile and tap the three lines in the top-right. Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Account’ and make sure ‘Posts’ is selected, not ‘Chronological Feed’. This will ensure Reels aren’t being filtered out.
You can also tap ‘Reels’ under ‘Preferences’ and toggle ‘Automatically Show New Reels’ on. This prevents Reels from being hidden as you scroll.
Report the Issue to Instagram
If you still can’t get Reels to reappear after trying all the steps above, the problem may be on Instagram’s end. The best option is to directly report the issue so the developers can investigate and fix it.
To report missing Reels, open Instagram and tap the profile tab in the bottom-right. Go to the Settings menu in the top-right and select ‘Help’ > ‘Report a Problem’. Choose the issue type as ‘Something Isn’t Working’ and explain Reels are missing from your Home feed.
Instagram may follow up with additional troubleshooting tips or will work on a fix behind the scenes. This direct feedback helps them identify and resolve bugs more quickly.
View Reels in a Browser
As a workaround while waiting for a fix, you can view Reels in a mobile web browser. Open Safari or Chrome on your iPhone and go to Instagram.com. Log in to your account and navigate to the Reels feed.
The website has the same Reels experience and you can like, comment, and more. This lets you access Reels until the app issue is resolved. Bookmark the Reels page for quick access.
Check Your Blocked Accounts
In some cases, Reels may disappear because you’ve blocked the account that posted them. If you have any accounts blocked, this filters their content from your feed.
To see your blocked list, go to your profile, open the menu, and tap ‘Settings’. Scroll down to ‘Account’ and select ‘Blocked Accounts’. Review the list and unblock anyone you want to see Reels from again.
Keep in mind that if you blocked accounts for harassment or other safety reasons, unblocking them may not be advisable. You can report concerning content instead of just blocking.
Reset Your Advertising ID
Some users have reported getting Reels back after resetting their phone’s advertising ID, which clears tracking data. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Advertising and tap ‘Reset Advertising Identifier’. Then restart Instagram.
Resetting the ad ID may help if the issue is related to Instagram’s analytics and personalized recommendations. It essentially gives you a fresh slate.
Contact Instagram Support
If all else fails, you can reach out to the Instagram support team directly to get help recovering missing Reels. In the Instagram app, go to your profile, open the menu, and tap ‘Help’ > ‘Contact Us’.
Select ‘Something Isn’t Working’ as the issue type and ‘Reels’ for the specific feature. Explain in detail when Reels disappeared and which troubleshooting you’ve tried. The support team can investigate further.
You may also receive suggestions to restore Reels until the underlying problem is fully resolved. Direct support can get to the bottom of persistent issues.
Wait for a Fix
In many cases, Instagram will be working on a fix if lots of users report the same problem with missing Reels. The best option is to wait a day or two – issues like this are usually resolved behind the scenes pretty quickly.
Make sure auto-updates are enabled on your iPhone so you get any release that fixes Reels right away. And try accessing Instagram in a browser in the meantime.
With over a billion users, occasional bugs are inevitable. But Instagram typically rolls out corrections for widespread issues like disappearing Reels in short order. So try to be patient as they address it.