Instagram has updated its free Edits app to allow users to create custom photo and video carousels directly within the platform. The feature, launched on October 7, 2026, enables creators to combine still images and video clips on a flexible canvas using both existing editing tools and new carousel-specific functions. This update streamlines the process of making multi-slide content without leaving the Instagram ecosystem.

The Edits app, designed as a dedicated video editing tool for Instagram creators, now supports drag-and-drop arrangement of media across carousel slides. Users can apply transitions, text overlays, filters, and timing adjustments individually to each slide, maintaining creative control over storytelling flow. The update responds to growing demand for versatile, mobile-first content formats that blend photography and videography.

By integrating carousel creation into Edits, Instagram reduces reliance on third-party apps for assembling mixed-media posts. Creators can now draft, edit, and publish photo-video carousels entirely within Instagram’s suite of tools, improving workflow efficiency. The change aligns with platform efforts to empower creators with all-in-one mobile solutions.

This functionality supports Instagram’s broader strategy to compete in the short-form and multi-format content space. As carousels remain a high-engagement format for tutorials, product showcases, and narratives, the update strengthens Edits’ role as a central hub for creator productivity. No additional costs or subscription requirements were mentioned in the announcement.

The rollout began globally on October 7, 2026, and is available to all users of the Edits app on iOS and Android. Instagram encourages creators to experiment with the new tools to enhance visual storytelling directly from their mobile devices. Further updates to Edits are expected as part of Instagram’s ongoing investment in creator-focused features.