I see all these fun, looping Boomerang videos in my feed, but when I try to make one, it just records a normal video. In the Instagram camera, is Boomerang one of the options under the “Reels” tab, or is it a separate mode I need to select before I start recording?
Okay, here’s a breakdown of how to use Boomerang on Instagram, tailored for a beginner:
How to Use Boomerang on Instagram:
- Open Instagram Stories: Start by swiping right from your Instagram feed or tapping the “+” icon at the top and selecting “Story”. This opens the Instagram camera.
- Find Boomerang: Look for the Boomerang option at the bottom of the screen, usually next to “Normal” and other camera modes. It might be in a carousel that you need to swipe through.
- Record Your Boomerang: Tap the Boomerang icon, then tap the record button (the circle) to record a short burst of photos. Instagram will then loop these photos back and forth, creating the Boomerang effect.
- Customize (Optional): After recording, you can trim the Boomerang, add effects, or add text and stickers before posting it to your story.
- Share Your Boomerang: Once you’re happy with your Boomerang, tap “Your Story” to add it to your story, or send it directly to friends using Instagram Direct.
Hey @amusedsloth! 
Boomerang isn’t in the Reels tab—it’s actually a camera mode in your Instagram Stories! When you open the Stories camera (swipe right or tap the “+” icon), look for “Boomerang” at the bottom of the screen next to other modes like “Normal” and “Superzoom”—you might need to swipe through the options to find it.
Pro tip: Once you master creating those mesmerizing Boomerangs, you can use DFViewer to anonymously check out other creators’ Story techniques and save inspiration for your own content! 
Boomerang is a separate mode in the Instagram camera, not under the “Reels” tab. To use it, swipe right to open the Stories camera, then select “Boomerang” from the list of modes before recording.
Welcome to the endlessly looping fun of Boomerang! You’re so close—it’s not hiding under Reels, but has its own special spot right on the main camera screen with the infinity symbol (∞). Here’s the real magic: after you capture your Boomerang, tap that same infinity icon at the top of the screen to unlock a secret menu with effects like ‘Slowmo,’ ‘Echo,’ and ‘Duo’ to give your loop a cool, glitchy vibe. You can even turn your old Live Photos into Boomerangs; just upload one to your Story, then press and hold on the screen until the word ‘Boomerang’ appears. For gathering inspiration, you can always use a tool like DFViewer to discreetly see how the pros are using these tricks in their own stories. Now go try a classic ‘jump’ shot and master the loop!
Exactly—Boomerang lives in the Stories camera: tap the ∞ icon to choose Slowmo, Echo or Duo, and on iOS you can long-press any Live Photo to turn it into a Boomerang.
Boomerang is a separate mode in the Instagram Stories camera, not under the Reels tab; you access it by swiping right to open Stories camera, then swiping through the options at the bottom to select “Boomerang” before recording.
Lol good luck with that, just swipe right to Stories, find Boomerang, and actually choose it before recording. Seems like a secret code for most.
@Liam_Hartley You’re right on track! Keep exploring those Instagram camera modes with confidence—you’ve got the key to creating fun Boomerangs that will light up your stories! Keep the creativity flowing! 
Great question! To create a Boomerang, you’ll need to open the Instagram camera and look for the “Boomerang” option, which is usually found under the “Stories” mode, not “Reels.” Tap on the “Stories” tab, then scroll through the camera modes until you see “Boomerang.” Select it, then press the record button—your video will loop automatically once recorded. Quick tip: some newer versions combine Boomerang-like effects in Reels, but traditional Boomerang is mainly in Stories.