Instagram Reels have become a powerful tool for engaging audiences, promoting content, and growing your following. It lets you shoot footage using your phone’s camera and repurpose existing videos into eye-catching Reels. How to make Reels with existing video? Here are effective tips for transforming old clips into fresh and engaging Reels.
How to Make Reels with Existing Video on a Phone
First, let’s see how to make Reels with existing video on Instagram.
Step 1. Open your Instagram app, swipe right anywhere in Feed, and switch from STORY to REEL.
Step 2. Tap the Upload icon in the bottom left corner to add existing videos from your camera roll or gallery.
Step 3. Edit your videos to create an engaging Reel. In the Reels video editor, you can split and crop the video, adjust the playback speed, add background music from the built-in music library, overlay text on the video, use stickers to make the video fun, apply filters, and others.
Instagram Reels can now be up to 3 minutes in length, so you won’t be bothered by the 90-second length limit.
Step 4. After editing your existing videos, post the Reel according to the on-screen prompts.
How to Make Reels with Existing Video on a PC
How to make Reels with existing video and photos on your computer. Here is the simple yet effective solution – MiniTool MovieMaker. It’s an easy-to-use and feature-rich video editor without a watermark.
Here’s how to make reels with existing video using MiniTool MovieMaker on your PC.
Step 1. Click the button below to download and install the excellent video editor.
MiniTool MovieMakerClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Step 2. Run the application and tap the New project button to access the main interface. Then, click the Import Media Files button to import your footage and add it to the timeline to begin editing.

Step 3. Change the aspect ratio to 9:16, the optimal aspect ratio for Instagram Reels. Click the drop-down arrow next to 16:9 under the player and select 9:16.

Step 4. Crop your video or photo. Select the target clip on the timeline and click the Crop icon. Choose a ratio, drag the rectangle to select the area you want to save, and click the OK button.

Step 5. Add transitions, filters, motion effects, or other visual effects.
- To add a transition between two clips, go to Transitions to find the desired one, and drag it to the desired place on the timeline.
- Go to Filters, preview the options, download one, and click the + icon to apply it. Then, drag either edge of the filter on the timeline to adjust its duration.
- If you want to add animation to your still images, go to Motion to apply pan and zoom effects.
- Under the Effects tab, you can find various overlays, frames, borders, and other effects to enhance your footage. Download and desired one and drag it to the timeline.

Step 6. Spice up your footage with text and funny stickers.
- Go to Text > Caption, and add the desired template to the timeline. Then, go to Text Editor on the right panel to enter and edit your text with different fonts, colors, and backgrounds.
- Click Elements in the top menu bar, browse these stickers, download the one you like, and add it. Then, you can scale, rotate, flip it, and change its position in the player window.

Step 7. Add background music. Go to Audio > Music, download a song, and click the + icon to add it to the timeline. Also, you can add music files saved on your computer by clicking Media > Import Media Files. Next, you can trim unwanted parts, fade the music in and out, and adjust the volume level.

Step 8. After editing your videos and photos, click the Export button in the upper right corner. The MP4 format and 1080p resolution (1080×1920) are recommended to upload a high-quality video to Instagram Reels. Finally, click the Export button to export the video.

Once done, navigate to the Instagram website to upload your video, and it will be shared as a Reel.
Conclusion
How to make Reels with existing videos and pictures? The Instagram app for Android and iOS can help you. Also, you can use a desktop video editor like MiniTool MovieMaker to create amazing Reels for Instagram using your footage.