Instagram Edits Guide: How to Make Edits + AI Content Maker

Instagram video edits: Everything you need to know about the app

Instagram Edits is a stand-alone video-creation app that streamlines Reels production. Released worldwide on April 22, 2025, for iOS and Android, the free, mobile-only tool lets you shoot, trim and layer clips up to ten minutes, add music, stickers, captions and AI effects, then post straight to Instagram or cross-share to Facebook. Because you log in with your Instagram account, projects sync automatically, and performance stats surface in the in-app "Insights" tab, Edits functions as a natural extension of the Instagram ecosystem rather than a separate editor.

How to make Instagram edits: Complete step-by-step tutorial

Ready to try out Instagram's new app? In this section, we'll show you how to edit any video on Edit in 4 easy steps. Follow along to learn how:

STEP 1
1. Gather or generate your clips (prep work)

Before you can start using Instagram Edits, you need to have something (a clip) to work with. You can use your smartphone to take short vertical films, or you can choose to repurpose the B-roll content you already own. Remember, not all video clips are born equal—4K or 60 fps footage will generally compress better and look sharper in Reels.Start a project in Instagram Edits

STEP 2
1. Start a project in Instagram Edits

Once you have your chosen clip, download Instagram Edits (if you don't already have it installed on your device) and open or launch it. You'll be required to have an Instagram account—if you already have an account, it'll automatically pop up, and you just have to click on it to proceed. To start a new project, click on the plus (+) icon and import your video clip(s).

Alternatively, you also have the option of recording your video clip live within the app by clicking the Record icon. Note that your video clips can be as long as 10 minutes, but Reels still favor 15-60s for retention.

STEP 3
1. Edit in the timeline (trim, split, polish)

After successfully uploading your video clip, you'll notice that it appears on the app's timeline. Once your video is on the timeline, it means you can start editing your clip. You can pinch the screen to zoom in for precision and pull them apart to zoom out—this is a great improvement compared to the "fiddly dragging" issues experienced by users in the old in-app editor. You can do more than just zooming in and out: the app allows you to trim, split, drag clips to swap positions, and layer images or AI cut-outs for picture-in-picture effects.

STEP 4
1. Add finishing touches & publish

Before you wrap up your edits, you can polish it further by adding texts or stickers—you can choose from 50+ fonts, animate with bounce or typewriter, and auto-generate captions for accessibility. You can also add audio and voiceovers. Once you are done with the finishing touches, and you are ready to upload it, click the Export button at the top right corner of your screen. The edited video clip will be automatically saved on your device.

Editing in Edits is quite a straightforward way. However, the most original part, if not time-consuming, of creation is surely to gleaning and collecting material for edits—most of us don't have a stash of fresh, vertical clips waiting to be edited. That's where AI-generated video flips the script. With AI, no more hunting through old files or paying for stock; just turn ideas into tangible clips. Let's explore this technology with a fine example, AI video generator

Meet Dreamina: Your AI partner for creating viral Instagram Reels

AI is the fastest at turning ideas into clips, and Dreamina makes that super-power pocket-sized. This powerful AI video generator transforms simple text prompts into high-quality, ready-to-post Instagram Reels that look professionally produced. Reach for it when you're short on B-roll, need eye-catching openers, or want something truly unique that stands out in feeds. Though accessible on your smartphone, the PC and web versions offer an enhanced user experience with more precise controls and access to Dreamina's canvas.

Steps to make Instagram Reel videos with Dreamina

Making Instagram Reel videos on Dreamina is super easy. You just need to have an idea of what you are looking to create, and the AI will get it done in seconds. Eager to try it? Click the link below, create a free account, and follow along:

STEP 1
1. Write your prompt

Once you are signed in, tap the Generate button you see under the Video generator tab. Inside the video generator, tap on Text prompt and then write your detailed prompt in the text box provided. A good prompt should detail the scene, mood, style, and actions to help the AI accurately capture your vision.

For example, you could say: Create an Instagram reel about a coffee shop morning routine with warm lighting, close-up shots of latte art, and people working on laptops.

STEP 2
1. Generate your video

Next, tap on the model selector to choose the AI model that best fits your creative vision—each model has different strengths for various styles and content types. Then, customize your video by selecting the camera control settings, adjusting the motion speed (slow for mood pieces, faster for energetic content), and choosing the aspect ratio (for Instagram reels, select 9:16 vertical format for optimal viewing). Finally, hit the Generate button and let Dreamina's AI work its magic.

STEP 3
1. Download

After a few seconds, Dreamina's AI will create a video (or clip) for you based on your prompt and generation settings. Tap on the video to watch (or preview) it. If you are happy with the generation, save it on your device by tapping the download icon. Now, your video is ready, and you can upload it directly to Instagram or first to Edits, where you can combine it with other videos and add more effects (filter, sound, etc) before uploading to Instagram.

Other cool video AI tools

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1. Frame interpolation

Turn your choppy clip into a smooth, flowing video with Dreamina's frame interpolation. This AI tool intelligently creates new frames between existing ones, turning standard 30fps clips into cinematic 60fps content that looks professionally shot. It is great for dance videos and transition-heavy Reels where fluid motion matters.

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1. Extend video

Do you want your clip to be longer? Dreamina's "Add 3s" feature analyzes your video and then seamlessly adds more content in the same style and setting. This tool comes in handy when your seemingly perfect Reel is just a few seconds too short or when you need to match the length of an audio track without having to cut or loop it.

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1. HD upscale

Dreamina's "HD Upscale" will make your movies look like they were made by a professional. This feature enhances clarity and sharpens details, so even low-quality footage from a smartphone looks clear and sharp. It works especially well for showing off products or doing beauty lessons where people want to be able to see small details clearly.

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1. Generate soundtrack:

Finding the perfect copyright-free music for Reels can be a challenge. Dreamina's "Generate soundtrack" feature creates custom audio that perfectly matches your video's mood and pacing. Alternatively, you can pick audio & sounds based on your theme, genre, mood, and instrument.

Pro tips for making standout Instagram video edits

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1. Combine traditional edits with AI-generated content: Don't think of AI and traditional editing as two different methods—blend them for truly unique content. You can use Dreamina to make beautiful base footage and then refine it in Instagram Edits to add your personal touch. For example, you can create a cityscape movie clip and then overlay your own branded text animations and transitions with Edits. Using an AI-generated B-roll to go along with your recorded footage is another good idea. This gives people new visuals that would have been impossible to film.
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2. Optimize for engagement: The first 3 seconds of your video determine whether viewers keep watching or scroll past. Start with your most visually striking moment or an intriguing hook question. Design your content with share-ability in mind by creating relatable moments that viewers will want to tag friends in. Instagram's algorithm favors videos that maintain high retention rates, so structure your edits to build interest throughout—save reveals or key information for the middle rather than the end to keep viewers watching longer.
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3. Keep up with trends: To stay current, you need to know what's trending. Regularly check out Instagram's Explore page to find new video styles, transitions, and sound trends. Then, the Reels tab shows you trending sounds and formats that you can use. Don't just copy trends—put your unique spin on them to stand out. Trends change quickly, so try to join them while they're still going strong rather than after they've reached their peak.
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4. Understand your audience: Editing isn't a one-size-fits-all thing. So, look at your audience insights to find out what content they like most and when they're most active. If most of your followers are from Gen Z, faster cuts and edits that focus on trends might work better. Professional audiences may respond better to clips that are more polished and full of useful information. Once you have information (data) on your audience, you can now test different editing styles by comparing the performance metrics of various posts, then refine your approach based on what your specific audience responds to.
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5. Stay consistent with your style: It's good to try new things, but creating a recognizable editing style will help you build your brand. Pick a signature color scheme, transition style, or text animation that will be used on all of your content. This visual uniformity creates a cohesive feed and is easy for followers to recognize.

Conclusion

The Instagram app Edits has changed the way users make interesting content on Instagram by giving you powerful tools to improve and polish your videos. Dreamina's AI generation features, on the other hand, open up entirely new creative possibilities, allowing you to produce professional-quality content without filming anything at all. The real magic happens when you combine both approaches—use Dreamina to generate unique base footage and Instagram Edits to add your personal touch and branding. This strong mix makes both tools work better than they could on their own, making your content stand out in crowded feeds. Are you ready to change the way people see you on Instagram? Visit Dreamina now and create a free account to see how AI can help you make better content.

FAQs

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1. Is the Instagram Edits app free to use?

Yes, you can download and use Instagram Edits for free. You can use all of its features, like 4K exports and AI-powered effects, without having to pay a subscription fee or make an in-app purchase. While Instagram Edits is free and has a lot of useful features, you might also want to check Dreamina out as well, which lets you make AI videos from scratch every day for free. With this set, you have everything you need to make content that stands out without paying a dime. Try Dreamina today to complement your Instagram Edits workflow!

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1. How do I add music to my Instagram reels using the Edits app?

The Instagram Edits app makes it easy to add music. Tap the "Audio" button in the editing interface, then browse Instagram's music library or use the search function to find specific tracks. You can also trim the audio to highlight your favorite part and adjust its volume relative to your video's original sound. If your wish is to make unique content (audio no one has used before), then use Dreamina's Generate soundtrack tool to create custom, copyright-free music based on your video. This ensures your content sounds as original as it looks, helping you avoid the same trending sounds everyone else is using. Create your first AI soundtrack with Dreamina now!

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1. How can I use Instagram edits to make videos standout?

Focus on unexpected transitions, creative text animations, and carefully planned edits that match music beats to make content that stands out. You can use the cutout tool in Instagram Edits to layer subjects on top of interesting backgrounds, or you can use voice effects to give your narration more personality. For truly unique content that can help you stand out, you can use Dreamina to create AI-generated videos of surreal landscapes or futuristic scenes that would be hard to film in the real world. This combination of polished editing and unique AI-generated elements creates videos that viewers will stop scrolling to watch. Now you know the secret, head over to Dreamina to start experimenting with AI video generation.