WhatsApp is testing a dedicated Instagram Reels shortcut in its Android attachment menu, allowing users to browse recently watched, saved and liked Reels without leaving the messaging app.
Highlights
- WhatsApp is testing a dedicated Instagram Reels shortcut for Android users.
- The feature has appeared in WhatsApp beta version 2.26.42.9.
- Users can access recently watched, saved and liked Instagram Reels.
- The shortcut appears directly in WhatsApp’s chat attachment menu.
WhatsApp Tests New Instagram Reels Shortcut, Users Can Share Videos Directly From Chats
New Delhi, October 24, 2026: WhatsApp is testing a new feature that will make it easier for users to share Instagram Reels directly from their conversations. The Meta-owned messaging platform is introducing a dedicated Instagram Reels shortcut in the chat attachment menu for Android users.
The feature has been spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.42.9 and is currently being made available to selected beta testers.
The update aims to simplify sharing Instagram videos by allowing users to access their recently watched, saved and liked Reels without manually searching for them.
How Will the New Feature Work?
The Instagram Reels shortcut will appear as a separate option in WhatsApp’s attachment menu.
When users tap the shortcut, they will be able to browse their Instagram activity through three dedicated sections: Recents, Saved and Liked.
The Recents section will display recently watched Reels, while the Saved and Liked sections will help users find videos they previously bookmarked or liked.
After selecting a Reel, users can share it directly with an individual contact or a WhatsApp group.
Previously, users with linked accounts could access Instagram content through the existing media picker, but locating a particular Reel required additional steps.
Meta Accounts Centre Linking Required
To use the new shortcut, users will need to connect their WhatsApp account to Instagram through Meta’s Accounts Centre.
The integration is part of Meta’s broader effort to improve connectivity between WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook.
However, linking accounts will remain optional.
Users who do not want to connect their accounts can continue using WhatsApp normally, although the dedicated Reels shortcut will not be available to them.
When Will the Feature Become Available?
The new shortcut is currently being tested with a limited number of Android beta users through the Google Play Store.
Even users who install WhatsApp beta version 2.26.42.9 may not immediately receive the feature because it is being enabled gradually.
WhatsApp has not confirmed when the shortcut will be released to all Android users or whether it will be introduced on iPhones.
Easier Sharing Across Meta Platforms
The update could be particularly useful for people who frequently exchange Instagram Reels in WhatsApp conversations.
By placing Instagram content directly inside the attachment menu, WhatsApp aims to reduce the number of steps needed to find and share videos.
The feature primarily improves an existing sharing capability rather than introducing an entirely new content-sharing system.
Source: NDTV Profit, October 24, 2026
