Instagram is testing a new look for its app, and this change is currently rolling out to users in the European Union. The update redesigns the main navigation bar at the bottom of your screen to make accessing Reels and Messages (your DMs) easier and faster.
Let’s break down exactly what this means.
Instagram is rolling out a new UI in the European Union with two notable updates:
— NearExplains AI (@nearexplains) October 18, 2025
– The "Reel" icon shown within the "Explore" tab is changing.
– The UI update syncs across mobile devices; if you get it on Android, you'll see it on iOS too. pic.twitter.com/GiX8pclmpY
What’s the Big Change?
The core of this update is a new design for the main navigation bar that’s the menu at the very bottom of the app with icons like “Home,” “Search,” and “Profile.”
As the screenshots in the update show, Instagram is moving “Reels and messages” to be “front and centre in the navigation bar.”
This means that instead of having to tap the “Explore” button to find Reels or tap the “Messages” icon at the top-right of your home screen, they will likely have their own dedicated buttons right at the bottom. The goal, according to Instagram, is to make the app “now easier to navigate” by putting its most popular features just a tap away.
What About the “Explore” Tab?
The tweet also mentions that “The ‘Reel’ icon shown within the ‘Explore’ tab is changing.”
This is a direct result of the main change. Since Reels is getting its own main button on the navigation bar, its current location inside the Explore tab is no longer needed. This icon will likely be removed or changed to avoid having two buttons for the same feature.
Your Account, Your Update (On All Devices)
Here’s an interesting technical detail: this update is tied to your account, not just your phone.
The tweet notes, “The UI update syncs across mobile devices; if you get it on Android, you’ll see it on iOS too.”
In simple terms, if you see the new design on your Samsung (Android) phone, you will also see the same new design when you log into your account on an iPhone (iOS) or an iPad. The new look follows your profile, not the device you’re using.
Why Is This Happening?
This change shows that Instagram wants to make its two most popular features short-form video (Reels) and private chats (Messages) the easiest things to do in the app. By placing them on the main navigation bar, you can get to them from anywhere, whether you’re on your profile, the home feed, or the explore page.
If you are in the European Union, you may see this new design on your app soon.
Source: Radu Oncescu