Instagram Rolls Out New Features to Deepen Friend Connections: Reposts, Map Sharing, and the Friends Tab in Reels Go Global

Instagram consistently releases new features to keep users engaged on the platform, and hence, its latest features and updates are bringing some of the best enhancements to the app. The Meta-owned platform is now adding new tools and features that are designed to help users connect with friends more easily and meaningfully

Instagram has added several new features, including a social map, repost, and a Friends tab in Reels. These features will be beneficial in connecting with friends, sharing locations, and prioritizing safety and privacy.

Reposting Public Reels

Instagram has introduced a new feature, dubbed Reposting, that will allow you to repost public Reels and Feed posts. Reposted content will stay on a separate tab called ‘Reposts’ on your profile, making it easy for users to revisit your favorite content that you find valuable.

One of the striking features of this addition is that the content that you are reposting will surface on your friends and followers’ feeds, even if they don’t follow the original creator. Every reposted content will give credit to the original poster or author.

To repost a reel or post, simply tap the repost icon, write a note if you’d like, and save it. Whether it’s a funny video or a thoughtful post, sharing has never been this seamless.

3 new features to help you stay up to date with your besties — a 🧵

— Instagram (@instagram) August 6, 2025

Instagram Map

Another interesting feature added by Instagram is ‘Map’, which will allow you to share your live location with your friends. It means users can now share their recent location with selected friends. The map feature will not just show where you are, but also help you see content from friends or creators based on location.

Nevertheless, the location sharing feature is optional, and you can choose to enable it or not. Other than this, you can also decide who can see your location, including friends, selected people, close friends, and more. Not just this, you can also choose where not to share your location, and hence, you can turn it off anytime.

Built-In Parental Notifications:

Parents with teens using supervised accounts, the app offers a built-in parental notifications feature, and hence, as soon as a teen enables location sharing, parents will be alerted.

You can find the map by navigating to the top of your DM inbox, currently rolling out in the U.S., with plans for global availability soon.

2. Explore content your friends are liking and creating on the “Friends” tab in Reels 🫂🎥 pic.twitter.com/4TYukdyVHm

— Instagram (@instagram) August 6, 2025

Friends Tab in Reels:

Instagram is also expanding a feature to connect with your friends via Reels. Under this feature, a new tab can be located inside the Reels section. It will allow you to see public content your friends have liked, commented on, or discovered through Blends.

With just a simple tap, users can now switch between their friends and the main Reels feed. In order to increase privacy, Instagram is also introducing controls so that you can hide your likes, comments, or mute certain people’s activity updates.