Instagram adds First Draft feature to auto-trim Reels clips
Instagram is rolling out First Draft, a feature that automatically trims silences and pauses from video clips to simplify Reels editing. The tool is available on iOS first.
According to Engadget, users can access First Draft by selecting clips from their Reels Gallery and tapping the First Draft button. Once the clips are trimmed and arranged, users can either edit them further in the app or post them directly to their feed or Story. Meta says the feature will also work immediately after shooting new footage on Instagram.
The launch follows Meta's release of Edits, a standalone video editing app, in April 2025, which included AI-powered tools designed to simplify Reels production. However, The Verge reports that First Draft does not use AI, despite Meta technically classifying it as machine learning. This distinction is notable as Instagram has recently experimented with various AI features, including forcing Meta AI into messages and prompting the app to edit Stories, none of which have felt essential to the core posting experience. First Draft, by contrast, offers practical utility for everyday users.
Meta has not yet shared a timeline for Android availability, stating only that First Draft will launch on iOS first.