How to Unpin a Reel on Instagram

Rearranging the layout of your Instagram profile might feel like a big task, but unpinning a Reel is one of the quickest ways to freshen things up. It's a simple, two-tap process that gives you back control over what visitors see first. This guide will walk you through exactly how to unpin a Reel and, more importantly, discuss the strategy behind why and when you should be shuffling your pinned content.

What Exactly Happens When You Pin a Reel?

Before we unpin, let's quickly recap what pinning does. The 'Pin to profile' feature is Instagram’s way of letting you play curator for your own grid. It allows you to stick up to three posts - Reels, static images, or carousels - to the very top left of your profile grid. Think of it as the digital equivalent of putting your best brochures on the front counter of your shop for everyone to see.

These pinned posts are the first pieces of content anyone sees when they land on your profile, making them incredibly valuable real estate. They don't follow the chronological order of the rest of your feed, they stay put no matter what else you post. This gives you the power to introduce your brand, highlight a popular product, share your most viral video, or promote a current campaign, regardless of when you originally posted it.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Unpinning a Reel on Instagram

Alright, you've decided a Reel has had its time in the spotlight. Removing it is just as easy as putting it there. The process is identical for both iPhone and Android users, so you can follow these steps on any device.

Here’s how to do it in under 30 seconds:

• Step 1: Go to Your Instagram Profile. Open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner to navigate to your profile grid.
• Step 2: Find and Tap the Pinned Reel. Your pinned posts will be at the top-left of your grid, each marked with a small white pin icon on the thumbnail. Tap on the Reel you wish to unpin to open it in the full-screen viewer.
• Step 3: Open the Menu. Look for the three-dot icon (...). On a Reel, this is usually located on the right-hand side of the screen, above the like and comment icons. Tap it to open up a menu of options.
• Step 4: Select 'Unpin from profile'. In the menu that pops up, you'll see the option "Unpin from profile." Tap it.

And that's it! The Reel will immediately be removed from the top of your grid and will gracefully return to its original place in your feed, based on the date it was first published. It’s not deleted, nothing happens to its likes or comments - it simply goes back to being a regular post in your chronological timeline. Your other pinned posts, if you have any, will simply shift over to fill the space.

Why Would You Unpin a Reel? The Strategy Behind It

Knowing how to unpin a Reel is the easy part. The real skill is knowing when. Your pinned content serves a specific purpose, and that purpose can change. Here are the most common strategic reasons to swap out a pinned Reel.

1. The Content Ran its Course

Many pinned Reels are tied to specific, time-sensitive events. Think about content like:

• A promotion for a flash sale ending this weekend.
• An announcement for an upcoming webinar or live event.
• A behind-the-scenes look at a seasonal product launch (like a holiday collection).
• A call for entries for a giveaway that has now closed.

Once the date has passed, that Reel is no longer relevant as your profile’s headline act. Leaving an expired offer pinned at the top of your feed can look unprofessional and create confusion for new visitors. Unpinning it is simple digital housekeeping that keeps your profile looking current and trustworthy.

2. You've Got a New "Hero Reel" to Showcase

Your content game is constantly evolving, and what was your best Reel last month might have just been outshone by a new masterpiece. Your pinned section should always feature your "hero" content - the posts that best represent your brand right now.

You may need to unpin an old Reel when you create a new one that:

• Performs better: Did a new Reel just go viral? It’s smart to pin that winner to take advantage of its momentum and show new visitors what your audience loves.
• Explains your business better: If you've just created the "perfect" explainer video that introduces your services or mission, it deserves the top spot.
• Communicates a new message: If your brand messaging or focus has shifted, your old pinned content might not align. Unpin it to make way for content that reflects your current direction.

Since you can only pin three posts, introducing a new one often means saying goodbye to an old one. This is the most common reason creators and brands unpin content - to make way for something even better.

3. Your Profile Aesthetic Is Changing

Your Instagram grid isn't just a collection of random posts, it’s a visual mood board for your brand. Many creators and businesses work hard to maintain a consistent aesthetic, whether it’s through a specific color palette, filter, or content style.

If you’re undergoing a brand refresh - new colors, new fonts, a new style of shooting videos - your previously pinned Reel might suddenly stick out like a sore thumb. Unpinning it isn't a knock on the content itself, but a necessary step to maintain the cohesive, professional look you're working to build.

4. The Pinned Reel Just Didn't Perform as Expected

Sometimes, we pin a post we think is a winner, but the audience disagrees. Maybe it didn't get the engagement you hoped for, or perhaps the message didn't land quite right. Don't be afraid to admit something isn’t working.

Social media is all about experimenting, testing, and learning. If a pinned Reel isn’t driving conversations, clicks, or follows like you thought it would, it’s not failing - it's giving you data. Use that data, unpin the post, and try pinning something else. Treating your pinned section as a dynamic space for testing content is a smart way to find out what truly resonates with your audience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pinning and Unpinning

You've got the basics down, but a few questions often come up. Let's clear the air on some common concerns.

Will unpinning my Reel delete it from my profile forever?

Absolutely not. Unpinning a Reel simply removes its "VIP" status at the top of your profile. The Reel itself is completely safe and will reappear in your normal profile grid exactly where it belongs based on its original posting date.

Do I lose my likes, comments, or views when I unpin a Reel?

Nope. All the engagement metrics - likes, comments, views, saves, and shares - are tied to the post itself, not its position on your grid. They will remain completely untouched, whether the Reel is pinned or not.

Can I re-pin a Reel after I've unpinned it?

Yes, you can. The system is totally flexible. If you unpin a Reel to feature a new promotion and want to pin the old one back once the promo is over, go for it! You can pin and unpin any post as many times as you like.

I don't see the "Unpin from profile" option. What's wrong?

The most likely reason is that you’re not looking at a pinned Reel. First, go back to your profile grid and confirm that the Reel you're trying to unpin actually has the little white pin icon on its thumbnail. The "Unpin" option only appears in the menu for posts that are currently pinned.

Is there a limit to how many posts I can pin?

You can pin a maximum of three posts. This can be any combination of Reels, static photos, or carousel posts. If you try to pin a fourth post, Instagram will prompt you to unpin one of the existing three to make room.

Final Thoughts

Unpinning a Reel on Instagram is a straightforward technical step, but using the feature effectively is a brilliant way to guide your audience's experience and keep your profile relevant. Viewing your pinned posts not as permanent fixtures but as a rotating gallery allows you to adapt to new campaigns, content wins, and brand updates with ease.

Keeping track of which content to pin, when to unpin a time-sensitive post, and what your next highlight Reel should be is all part of a solid content plan. At Postbase, we built our visual calendar to give you a clear, bird's-eye view of a campaign from start to finish. Being able to see what's planned weeks ahead helps you make smart decisions about what deserves that prime spot on your profile, so your planning process feels less chaotic and more controlled. This way, you can easily manage your profile's first impression inside of Postbase without having to open the native app.