Instagram announced the rollout of First Draft, a feature that automatically removes pauses and silences from selected Reels video clips to produce an initial edited version, on August 25, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. The tool is designed to save creators time by reducing tedious manual editing and quickly generating a "first pass" cut that highlights the most important content [1, 2, 3].
First Draft is available initially for Instagram's iPhone app, with no confirmed timeline yet for an Android release [1, 2, 3]. Users can access the feature immediately after recording video within Instagram's camera, or by selecting multiple clips from the Reels gallery and tapping the First Draft button [1, 2, 3].
The feature works well with multi-clip montages, talking-head videos, and day-in-the-life style content [1]. Instagram did not clarify whether First Draft relies on AI technology but suggested it may use machine learning methods instead [1, 3].
First Draft can generate a trimmed version in under 10 seconds, enabling creators to rapidly get a usable draft before further edits [2]. Unlike Meta's standalone AI-powered Edits app, First Draft is integrated directly into the Instagram experience [3, 2].
Instagram released other creator-focused tools this year, such as audio replacement and testing of Series to group related Reels [2]. Notably, the First Draft announcement coincided with Instagram head Adam Mosseri’s expected testimony in a Meta social media addiction trial on the same day [2].
The launch marks Instagram’s ongoing push to streamline video creation and editing within its platform for iPhone users. Further details about an Android rollout or additional feature expansions have not yet been provided.
