How To Pause A Video On Instagram? Scrolling through Instagram, I often come across a fantastic dance move, a hilarious meme, or a stylish outfit that captures my attention. But getting a better look at the finer detail isn’t always straightforward.
If you’ve tried tapping a video like you would on TikTok, you’ll realize it doesn’t pause the way you expect. Whether you want to stop an Instagram video mid-action or study a life-changing makeup technique, knowing the right workarounds is key.
It’s surprisingly easy once you learn the secret! As someone who loves a good pet trick or a funny clip, I needed a way to hit that invisible pause button and truly appreciate those perfect moments without frustration.
In 2025, Instagram Reels have become even more popular, but they still don’t offer a direct pausing option for in-feed videos.
Whether you’re using an iPhone, Android, or browsing from a desktop, there are simple ways to slow things down and take control of your Instagram experience.
I’ll walk you through how to pause it, whether you’re on your phone or computer, and help you troubleshoot common problems if things don’t work as expected.
Trust me, once you break down the steps, it’s much easier to catch that perfect moment without missing a thing all while making your scrolling experience much more enjoyable.
Understanding Instagram Reels
If you love short videos like me, Instagram Reels is the perfect place to share funny clips and show your creativity. Introduced in August 2020, this feature inside the Instagram app lets users create and share short videos easily.
It was made to compete with other short video platforms like TikTok, giving everyone a fresh way to express themselves and engage viewers creatively.
Some even upload sweet moments like romance movies from Apple TV to the platform! With so many creative tools like audio, cool effects, and text, making fun Reels has never been simpler.
In my experience, adding music from Instagram’s vast library of tracks, using AR effects to enhance videos, and layering overlay text to convey messages or subtitles makes content stand out.
Creativity is the heart of Reels it’s how you entertain fans, reach new audiences, and make truly engaging short video content.
Plus, the seamless integration with the Instagram app means it’s super accessible for the platform’s large user base, helping creators expand their potential reach and influence faster than ever before.
3 Simple Methods to Pause Instagram Videos
If you’re struggling with the Instagram version being constantly updated, you’re not alone. Many people feel unsure about how to pause reels and even face issues like “unable to pause reels.”
This quick section will walk you through the steps in detail, clearly showing how to pause reels whether you’re on PC, iPhone, or Android device.
1. On Mobile Phone App (Android or iOS)
Pausing a video on the Instagram app with your Android or iPhone is super easy once you know the right trick.
Here’s how you can take full control over your Instagram experience while browsing your favorite Reels or in-feed videos.
Step 1: Open the Instagram app on your Android or iPhone, and start watching any video or Instagram reel you like.
Step 2: To pause the video, just long-press on the screen without lifting your finger; this little technique will freeze the perfect moment instantly.
Step 3: Release your finger whenever you want the video to continue playing, and you’re back to scrolling through your amazing Instagram feed.
2. On the Desktop
Pausing an Instagram video on a desktop is simple. Just follow these 3 steps:
Step 1: Open Instagram and choose Reels from the left side of the screen.
Step 2: Click on the short video you want to pause. A single click will pause it, and clicking again will resume the video.
Step 3: To mute the video, hit the audio icon at the top right corner. Click again to unmute it.
The process is quick and easy, giving you full control over the video.
3. By Pausing Instagram Reels Frame by Frame
Instagram doesn’t offer a built-in feature to pause Instagram Reels frame by frame directly in the app. If you’re looking to do a detailed frame-by-frame analysis, you might need to download the Reel and use a video editing software or other tools.
These programs give you better control over the playback and allow you to study the video more carefully.
Since pausing Instagram Reels within the app is not possible, consider using external tools to get more accurate results.
By doing this, you can explore each frame, ensuring a deeper analysis and gaining better insight into the content.
If you prefer to keep things simple, relying on a frame-by-frame video tool can save you time and effort.
Reasons for Cannot Pause Instagram Reels
If you’re unable to pause Instagram Reels, there are a few reasons that could be causing this. Here are some possible issues to check:
- Your Instagram app might not be updated to the latest version.
- There could be a temporary error with the app, causing issues with pausing.
- Some videos on Instagram, especially business videos, play automatically and can’t be paused.
- Live video streams from an IG creator cannot be paused.
- If your smartphone’s touch screen is malfunctioning, it might not register your tap to pause.
- Dirty fingers can affect the screen’s operation, making it hard to pause the video.
If you’re still having trouble, try reinstalling the app or checking for any issues with your device or the video itself.
Extra Tips & Tricks for Pausing Instagram Reels
If you’re searching for additional ways to pause or slow down videos, here are a few more tricks you can try:
1. Take Screenshots of Reels
Pausing Instagram Reels is a great way to take sharp screenshots without missing any details. Whether you’re trying to capture a choreography move, a funny face, or a stylish outfit, pausing the video ensures that you get a crisp, clear image.
It also helps if you’re looking to save specific frames, such as text overlays or product displays. Once the Reel is paused, you can press your device’s screenshot button to save that moment instantly.
2. Use the App Switcher to Pause Reels
You can use the app switcher to pause Instagram Reels by swiping up from the bottom of your device’s screen. This trick is useful if you need to step away from the app quickly without losing your spot in the video.
When you return to Instagram, the Reel will usually pick up where you left off, but you might need to scroll back a bit to find the exact part you were watching.
Just keep in mind that switching back too soon can cause the Reel to restart from the beginning.
3. Mute and Pause Reels
If you ever need to watch a Reel in a quiet setting or want to focus only on the visuals, you can easily mute and pause the video at the same time. Simply tap once to mute the audio, and then tap and hold to pause the video.
This trick gives you complete control over your experience, whether you’re catching a specific detail in silence or blocking out the background noise.
This works smoothly on both iPhone and Android devices, making it a versatile method for anyone needing to quickly adjust the sound and pause the content.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I manage my Instagram reels?
To manage your Instagram Reels, tap Edit to adjust your reel’s positioning and caption. You can also Pin it to the top of your Reels page, Turn off commenting, or Hide how many people enjoyed your clip.
How can you stop Instagram reels from scrolling?
To stop Instagram reels from scrolling, simply hold down your finger on the post you’re watching. This will prevent it from moving to the next video or post automatically, giving you full control.
Are there any other ways to look at specific parts of an Instagram video?
If you can’t pause a video, try scrubbing your finger on the progress bar to move to specific parts. You can also take a screenshot using the power and volume down buttons for a detailed look.
Why does tapping on a Reel sometimes mute it instead of pausing?
Sometimes, Instagram tests new features that change how you interact with Reels. Tapping might mute the video instead of pausing it, but the solution is simple: just hold to pause the Reel.
Can I pause a Reel while reading comments?
Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t allow you to pause a Reel while reading comments. You can use the tap-and-hold method to pause the video, but it doesn’t let you open and read the comments section at the same time.
What are the settings for reels?
For your Instagram Reels, the aspect ratios should be between 1.91:1 and 9:16. Make sure to meet the minimum resolution of 720 pixels and a minimum frame rate of 30 frames per second for the best viewing experience.
Final Remarks
Learning to pause Instagram videos with a simple tap and hold on Reels has really changed the way I scroll, but when it comes to the regular feed, things are a bit different you’ll need to use the scrubbing feature to slow down playback, improve appearance, or even take screenshots to freeze specific frames for later analysis; with these tips and a little practice, navigating and managing any format on iPhone or Android becomes second nature when using these methods to enjoy Instagram reels.
That’s all! You can also check out How To Reorder Photos In Facebook Post – Detailed Guide 2025 and How Do You Send An Anonymous Message On Facebook – 6 Easy Steps
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