On April 7, 2025, Instagram’s Design handle posted a reel that got a lot of attention. The reason, it was a password-protected reel requiring a code for access. For those of you who couldn’t figure it out, the code is the first # in the caption, i.e., threads. Upon unlocking the reel, a banner read Coming Soon, an indication that Design will soon have an official Threads account. But it wasn’t just an announcement of Design making its way to Threads!
Instagram, through the reel, publicized that it’s testing a new reel-locking feature that lets creators lock their reels and only allows access to people with the set code.
TechCrunch, the publication that first broke the story, reached out to Instagram, but there has been no official response on their part. So, we don’t really know when the feature will be made available to regular users after testing, or what stage of testing it’s currently in. But based on the information gathered so far, it seems like no one has access to it yet. Fair enough, it’s still in the early stages of development, and mass deployment will take another few months!
More importantly, who does the Instagram’s reel-locking feature really benefit? In my experience, it will see massive adoption by content creators who wish to monetize their reels and brands trying to launch campaigns.
But there’s another side to it, a drawback no one seems to be discussing!
Instagramās new āReel Lockingā feature is stirring controversy
In the last few months, Instagram has become an almost-unusable app for many, be it the glitch auto-resetting content suggestions, the massive number of permanent account suspensions, or the temporary content restrictions. Even while creating the official handle of this website, AIRespondsBlog, Instagram immediately flagged and suspended the account. Although I was able to recover it after a successful verification.
That got many people questioning the idea of locked reels on Instagram. One user pointed out that content creators might exploit locked reels to farm engagement, potentially overwhelming users. Personally, I canāt fathom seeing my Instagram feed filled with locked reels. It would be a major disappointment, enough to make me take a break from the platform
Secondly, the feature doesn’t yet work on Instagram Web. I realize this is just the announcement stage, but shouldn’t the developers at Instagram ensure feature availability on all devices before uploading the reel? When I opened the reel on Instagram Web, instead of displaying a text box to input the code, Instagram showed me a QR code, which, when scanned on my iPhone, redirected me to the same reel on the app.
Talking of improper initial implementation, the code isn’t yet case-sensitive. That means, it doesn’t matter whether you enter the code in upper case or lower case, it will unlock the reel. That’s something Instagram should look at before mass deployment of the feature.
Lastly, Instagram’s primary focus should be on resolving the problems that plague the platform right now. While we would all appreciate new features, the app experience has nosedived of late, and that should be the only priority!
What do you think about Instagram’s reel locking feature? Share with our readers in the comments section.
With over five years of experience in the tech industry, Kazim excels at simplifying complex topics, making them accessible to tech enthusiasts and general readers alike. He has contributed to several renowned publications worldwide, including WindowsReport and Allthings.how, bringing insightful coverage of key developments in the field.
In the past, Kazim was closely associated with a digital marketing firm that handled social media profiles of influencers. This helped him gain deep insights into Instagram’s algorithm and policies.
