Crack the code: Inside Instagram’s password-protected Reels feature

When Shah Rukh Khan dropped a behind-the-scenes reel from Aryan Khan's directorial debut Ba***ds of Bollywood, fans were puzzled to find it locked behind a password.

- Pratishtha Bagai

The move wasn’t a glitch—it was a test of Instagram’s newest experiment: password-protected Reels, also known as Lockable Reels.

The feature lets creators restrict access to videos behind a password, turning fan engagement into a guessing game. For audiences, it’s a playful challenge. For creators and brands, it’s a new layer of exclusivity and interaction.

Mint explains how Instagram’s Lockable Reels work, why Meta is testing them, and what they could mean for India’s creator economy.

Lockable Reels are a new Instagram feature that allows creators to post videos viewable only after entering a password. The idea is to spark curiosity and create a sense of “exclusive access’—much like solving a riddle to unlock bonus content.

These Reels appear in a user's feed like regular posts but remain blurred or locked until the correct password is entered.

Meta says the password-lock feature is part of its broader push to make Reels more interactive.

“We frequently collaborate with talent to create experiences that can be enjoyed by artists, creators, and people worldwide. This feature is one of several new Reels features that Instagram is testing to improve the Reels experience,” a Meta spokesperson told Mint.