Instagram tests Reels pause feature as TikTok remains in limbo

Letting users pause a Reels video. Hard to believe this wasn&#x27;t case all along.<p>This is user hostile:<p>&quot;Previously, users have only been able to pause videos on Instagram Reels by tapping and holding on their screen.&quot;

Trying to use Reels after experiencing the (superior) UX of TikTok was hard enough, but trying to use Reels after experiencing the UX of XHS is pretty much impossible for me.

I have an userscript installed that turns the instagram video player into a regular html one, so in case I end up clicking an instagram link, I don&#x27;t go insane while trying to watch something.

Am I missing something or hallucinating? Pretty sure I&#x27;ve always been able to pause reels on desktop and mobile. Instagram <i>Lite</i> lacked this functionality.<p>Lack of a progress bar you can skip through is what&#x27;s been missing compared to TikTok.<p>Or was this just not a thing for US users specifically?

I&#x27;ve almost stopped using Instagram, these days I get ads that block scrolling on pictures or stories, it&#x27;s simply not enjoyable anymore.

Can someone explain to me why Meta or whoever doesn&#x27;t just copy TikTok 1to1 with a new name? If TikTok really stops running in the usa, they would have an alternative product instead of Instagram reels and YouTube shorts, both of which obviously can&#x27;t catch on.