Quick answer
Look for Reels in the tab bar of the Facebook app. Meta says the Reels tab was previously called the Video tab. Reels also appear in your Feed. On the phone we checked, Reels wasn’t one of the tabs listed in Settings > Preferences > Tab bar > Customize the bar, so it couldn’t be pinned or hidden there. If Reels is missing altogether, update Facebook and restart the app, then check your connection. Reels won’t play? See videos not playing.
Does this match what you see?
- The Video tab you used to use is gone.
- You can’t see a Reels tab or icon anywhere.
- Reels used to appear in your feed and now don’t.
- Friends can see Reels but you can’t.
- Reels stopped showing after an app update.
iPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)
Tab bar positions differ slightly between devices and app versions. The steps were checked on an Android phone. Meta’s rollouts can also differ by account and country.
Where did the Video tab go?
It became Reels. Meta’s creator blog says the Reels tab was “previously called the Video tab”. Meta then made every video on Facebook a reel from September 2025, whatever its length or orientation. Long videos, short clips and horizontal videos are all shared as reels now.
Why this happens: the possible causes
These are the usual reasons Reels seem to be missing.
| What you see | What it usually means | Do this first |
|---|---|---|
| The Video tab is gone | It was renamed Reels | Video tab renamed |
| No Reels tab anywhere | An old app version, or a different layout on your account | Fix 2 |
| Reels tab is there but empty or spinning | A connection or app problem | Fix 3 |
| No Reels in your feed | Your feed preferences or ranking | Reels in your feed |
| Reels show but won’t play | A playback problem | Videos not playing |
- The Video tab became the Reels tabCheck this first
Meta’s creator blog says the Reels tab was previously called the Video tab, and that reels appear in followers’ feeds and on the Reels tab.
- All videos are now ReelsCheck this first
Meta says that since September 2025, all videos on Facebook are shared as reels regardless of length or orientation. If you’re looking for “videos”, they’re in Reels.
- An old version of the appPossible
New layouts arrive with app updates. An out-of-date app may show an older tab bar.
- Your tab bar is personalizedPossible
Facebook can personalize some tabs based on your activity. On the phone we checked, Reels wasn’t one of the tabs listed in Customize the bar.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Look along the tab bar for Reels (it replaced Video).
- Scroll your Feed: reels can appear there too.
- Update Facebook from Google Play or the App Store.
- Close and reopen the app.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Find Reels in the tab bar (or the left menu on a computer)
Meta says reels appear on the Reels tab (formerly the Video tab) and in followers’ feeds. On the phone we checked, Reels is one of the main tabs on the navigation bar.
iPhone & iPad
- Open the Facebook app and look along the tab bar for Reels. On the Android phone we checked (the iPhone layout is reported to match), it was the second icon, between Home and Friends.
- Tap it to open Reels.
- If you don’t see it, scroll your Feed: reels can appear there as well.
Android
- Open the Facebook app and look along the tab bar at the bottom for Reels. On the phone we checked, the bar read Home, Reels, Friends, Groups, Notifications and your profile photo.
- Tap it to open Reels.
- If you don’t see it, scroll your Feed: reels can appear there as well.
Computer (browser)
- Log in to facebook.com.
- Select Reels in the left menu (Meta’s steps). Meta says all videos except Stories and live videos are shared as reels, whatever their length.
- Reels can also be found in your Feed.
Did it work? Tapping Reels opens a full-screen reel.
Fix 2: Update Facebook and restart it
Changes to the tab bar arrive with app updates. If your app is old, you may still see an older layout.
iPhone & iPad
- App Store > your profile icon > App Updates > Update next to Facebook.
- Swipe up from the bottom, pause, swipe Facebook away, then open it again.
Android
- Google Play > your profile icon > Manage apps & device > Updates available > Update next to Facebook.
- Close Facebook from your recent apps and open it again.
Did it work? The Reels tab appears after the update.
Fix 3: Reels tab empty or spinning? Check the connection
Meta’s own tips for reels that won’t load start with the connection: reconnect, switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, or restart your router.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, or reconnect to your Wi-Fi.
- If your Wi-Fi is slow, restart your router or modem.
- Turn off any VPN, and Android’s Data Saver or iPhone’s Low Data Mode, while you test.
- Check Facebook’s own Media settings: ☰ Menu > Settings and privacy > Settings > Preferences > Media. Under Video quality, Data saver reduces video quality to use less data; Optimized adjusts to your network.
For black screens and buffering, follow videos not playing, which covers Reels too.
Did it work? Reels load in the Reels tab.
Fix 4: Tidy your tab bar so the tabs you use are easy to reach
Facebook lets you pin up to 2 tabs and hide the ones you don’t want. On the phone we checked, Reels isn’t in that list, so you can’t pin or hide it there. Tidying the other tabs can still make the bar less crowded.
- Open ☰ Menu > Settings and privacy > Settings.
- Under Preferences, tap Tab bar > Customize the bar.
- The Navigation bar screen lists Pinned, Available tabs (such as Friends, Marketplace, Gaming, Events and Feeds) and Hidden.
- Use the drop-down next to a tab (it usually shows Auto) to set it to Pinned, or to hide it. You can pin up to 2; if 2 are already pinned, change one back first.
Also under Tab bar, Manage notification dots lets you switch off the notification dots on Reels, Groups and Profile.
Did it work? Your tab bar shows the tabs you chose.
Fix 5: Still no Reels? Reinstall or try the browser
A clean install replaces a damaged app. It signs you out, so check you can log back in first.
- Make sure you know your password and can receive your login code.
- Delete Facebook and reinstall it from the App Store or Google Play.
- Meanwhile, try facebook.com in a browser and look for Reels there.
Did it work? Reels appears after reinstalling, or works in the browser.
Find reels you saved, liked or watched
On the Reels screen, tap the profile icon at the top right to open Your library. On the phone we checked, it listed:
- Recently saved reels (tap See all for the full list)
- Liked reels
- Shared reels
- Watched reels
- Your profile
- Cellular data use
To save a reel for later, tap ⋯ on the reel, then Save reel.
Reels not showing in your feed?
Meta says reels can appear in followers’ feeds and on the Reels tab, and that reels are recommended based on what may be relevant to you. Your feed is personalized, so the number of reels you see in it changes. Meta also says Reels can’t be turned off, so if you see none at all, it may be the app or the connection rather than a setting.
- Open the Reels tab to see reels directly.
- Tell Facebook what you like: on a reel, tap ⋯ > Interested (“More of your reels will be like this”) or Not interested. The same menu also has Why am I seeing this reel?.
- You can also look at Content preferences under Settings > Preferences (we haven’t checked what’s inside).
- To see the newest posts from people you follow, use Feeds (see feed not updating).
How to know it worked
- You can open the Reels tab and watch reels.
- Reels play without buffering or black screens.
- Your tab bar shows the tabs you use most.
Still not working? Your next steps
- Report the problem: ☰ Menu > Help and support > Report a problem > Continue to report a problem, then choose Video or Videos on Select product.
- If reels appear but won’t play, see videos not playing.
- If the whole app is misbehaving, see Facebook not working.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I find the Video tab on Facebook?
Meta renamed it. Its creator blog says the Reels tab was previously called the Video tab.
Can I turn off Reels on Facebook?
No. Meta’s help says Reels cannot be turned off. You can switch off the notification dot on Reels (Tab bar > Manage notification dots), but not Reels itself.
Why do I see Instagram reels on Facebook?
Meta says you may see public reels from Instagram if the creator chooses to recommend them on Facebook. They show the creator’s Instagram username with an Instagram icon.
Can I add Reels to my tab bar?
On the phone we checked, Reels was already one of the main tabs and wasn’t in the Customize the bar list, so it can’t be pinned or hidden there. If you don’t see it, update the app.
How do I get rid of the notification dot on Reels?
Go to Settings > Preferences > Tab bar > Manage notification dots and switch Reels off.
Are all Facebook videos Reels now?
Yes. Meta says that since September 2025, all videos posted to Facebook are shared as reels, regardless of length or orientation.
How many tabs can I pin on Facebook?
Up to 2, under Tab bar > Customize the bar.
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Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
- Reels on Facebook (and related Reels help pages) (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Making it easier to create videos on Facebook (June 2025) (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Unable to view or play reels on Facebook (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Exploring Videos on Facebook Just Got Easier (April 2024) (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Launching Facebook Reels Globally and New Ways for Creators to Make Money (Feb 2022, updated May 2023) (external site, opens in a new tab)
- How to manually update apps from the App Store (external site, opens in a new tab)
- How to update apps on Android (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Close an app on your iPhone or iPod touch (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Use less mobile data with Data Saver (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Report That Something Isn’t Working on Facebook (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 21 October 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 19 April 2027. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 21 October 2026: Added Meta’s Reels help facts: Reels can’t be turned off, Reels in the left menu on a computer, Instagram reels on Facebook.
- 21 October 2026: First published.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta or Facebook. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.