Instagram Reels can now 'Auto scroll', potentially making you a zombie slave

Instagram users who love doomscrolling through countless Reels one after the other are now going to get a helping hand from the app. Instagram seems to be pushing a new ‘Auto-scroll’ feature for Reels that could turn casual browsing into an endless trance. No more swiping up to see the next clip. Once you toggle it on, the app takes over, feeding you content like a digital conveyor belt. It’s handy if you’re multitasking, maybe eating or just lounging, but it also whispers temptation to keep watching longer than you planned.

The feature popped up in user reports this week, showing a simple toggle in the Reels menu, right between options like saving a post or viewing fullscreen. From what folks are sharing, it lets videos loop automatically after they finish, mimicking how TikTok has worked for years.

Here’s a screenshot of the setting:

Instagram seems to be catching up, making Reels even more binge-friendly. But here’s the catch. This hands-free mode might amp up the addiction factor. We already know social media algorithms are designed to hook us with dopamine hits from funny clips, dances, or quick tips. Now, without the physical act of swiping, it’s easier to zone out for hours, turning users into passive consumers — or as some might say, zombie slaves to the scroll.

Instagrammers have mixed feelings about the feature. Some love the convenience, while others worry about losing even more time.

Broooo Instagram just added a new auto scroll feature in reel. We are cooked 😭😭 – @naseemakram100

Instagram added auto-scroll… finally my thumb gets to retire early. 🫡 – @afkbny

These reactions highlight the double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a relief for sore thumbs after long sessions. On the other, it could make breaking away harder, especially for younger users who already spend chunks of their day on the app. Just a couple of weeks ago, we highlighted how almost half of the surveyed teens in the US mentioned that they’re aware social media is negatively impacting them. So this effortless and endless scrolling will just add to the growing concerns.

That said, I checked my own devices, and I don’t have the feature on Android or iOS yet. So it’s likely in testing and will roll out gradually over the coming weeks, starting with select users or regions. Instagram hasn’t made an official announcement, but based on past updates, expect it to hit everyone soon.

If auto-scroll becomes the norm, we might need better tools to set limits, like built-in timers or reminders to take breaks — especially as governments start cracking down on platforms’ hold over kids. Moves like California’s new law shaking up addictive feeds on Instagram and TikTok could be a step in the right direction.

For now, if you spot the toggle, give it a try — but maybe set an alarm first. You don’t want to wake up hours later, wondering where the day went.