August 27, 2026, 7:56 am | Read time: 2 minutes
For a reel, individual shots usually have to be painstakingly selected, trimmed, and arranged in the correct order. The new “First Draft” feature is designed to handle exactly this initial step.
How Does “First Draft” Work?
Users select multiple videos from the gallery and start the automatic editing process via a new button directly in the Reels creation. Instagram then analyzes the material, looks for key moments, and automatically trims the selected clips.
Longer pauses are also supposed to disappear. The app creates an initial cohesive draft from the individual scenes. According to Instagram, this process can take less than ten seconds.
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The Finished Draft Remains Flexible
The result is not a final reel but a foundation for further editing. Individual clips can still be altered, scenes can be rearranged, and additional elements can be added. Those who want to make every cut themselves can simply use the automatic suggestion as a starting point.
Instagram primarily takes the often time-consuming first pass off creators’ hands. However, creative control remains with the users. “First Draft” does not decide how the finished video must look but merely provides an already edited version of the selected material.
Android Users Still Have to Wait
Initially, “First Draft” is available in the iOS version of Instagram. The feature is integrated directly into the creation of Reels and is not part of the separate video app “Edits.” Therefore, Android users cannot use the tool for now.
Apparently, Instagram is also rolling out the update gradually. As a result, “First Draft” may not appear on every account despite having the latest app version. For Instagram, the feature is likely to lower the barrier to producing new short videos as the platform competes with offerings like TikTok and YouTube Shorts.