Instagram is currently testing a significant redesign of its mobile application's main navigation bar. The new layout is intended to prioritize two key features: Reels, the platform's short-form video content, and Direct Messages (DMs). This change directly addresses the ongoing competition with other video-centric platforms by making Reels more accessible and central to the user experience.

In the test version, the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen has been modified to remove or downplay certain tabs in favor of more prominent access points for both Reels and DMs. Specifically, the DMs button, which traditionally resided in the top-right corner of the interface, is moved to a more noticeable, dedicated location on the bottom bar. This relocation emphasizes private messaging as a core function, reflecting the broader social media trend of users communicating more through private chat than public feeds.

By giving both Reels and DMs greater visibility, Instagram is effectively signaling its strategic direction. The company is doubling down on short-form video as the primary content driver and simultaneously fostering deeper engagement through private, one-on-one communication. This shift suggests a move away from the traditional full-screen public feed model that originally defined the app, adapting instead to how modern users prefer to consume media and interact socially. If rolled out widely, this change will fundamentally alter how users navigate and engage with the Instagram application.

Instagram is testing a new layout that gives Reels and Direct Messages (DMs) greater visibility on the main screen.

Yenumula . Contributing Reporter

Published on October 14 2025

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