Instagram appears to be testing a way to watch videos with friends

Some things are better with friends.
 By 
Johnny Lieu
 on 
Instagram appears to be testing a way to watch videos with friends
Instagram appears to be testing a co-watching feature. Credit: Chesnot/Getty Images

Some things are just better with friends.

Like watching videos on the internet, which Facebook has tried to make more social with the introduction of its Watch Party feature, introduced last year.

It appears the company is testing a similar co-watching feature on Instagram, as spotted by Jane Manchun Wong of Hong Kong.

The feature seems like it would be accessible during a video chat on Instagram Direct, and by clicking a button to activate it (as indicated by Wong's finger).

So far, it's unclear what kind of videos will be available to watch in the feature, but it would be unsurprising if it was used to help further push IGTV -- Instagram's competitor to YouTube.

As per Wong's screenshots, a suggested tab would pull in related videos, and you can also view a playlist of the videos you've selected. Instagram declined to comment on the feature to Mashable.

"I’ll find it useful if there’s something interesting and worthy to watch together with friends abroad," Wong told Mashable via Twitter DM. "Fingers crossed, I hope they will make IGTV videos co watchable."

Since its launch, there have been 12 million Watch Parties created in Facebook Groups, so you can understand why the company would want to replicate social watching on Instagram.

As noted by New York Magazine in October, Instagram is struggling for eyeballs on IGTV, as influencers and creators note they don't get the same views there compared to YouTube.

Mashable Image
Johnny Lieu

Mashable Australia's Web Culture Reporter.Reach out to me on Twitter at @Johnny_Lieu or via email at jlieu [at] mashable.com

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You

'The Comeback' Season 3 sneaks in its first-ever 'Friends' reference
Lisa Kudrow, Ella Stiller, and Laura Silverman in "The Comeback."

Airbnb is testing AI-powered search to help users with bookings
Airbnb logo

'Heated Rivalry' star Connor Storrie embraces childhood YouTube videos as 'self-acceptance'
Connor Storrie announces SAG Awards nominations in Los Angeles

Google Veo 3.1 will generate social-ready vertical videos in Gemini
google gemini and veo 3.1 logos

More in Tech

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone


What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

You can track Artemis II in real time as Orion flies to the moon
Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman piloting the Orion spacecraft
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!