Watching a friend’s Instagram Live video and feeling the urge to participate instead? Now you can, as long as the host agrees.
Instagram announced Tuesday that viewers of Instagram Live videos can now ask their friends to join by tapping the Request button in the comments section. Should the host be agreeable, viewers will see a confirmation, and the screen will split in half shortly thereafter. Viewers can choose to leave at any time.
Instagram Live video hosts will see notifications for requests to join, and they can tap the View button to allow or deny those requests. The new icon with two smiley faces will let hosts know how many requests they have, and tapping that icon allows them to accept requests or invite other viewers. Guests can be removed at any time.
The new feature is available via version 24 of the Instagram application for iOS or Android.
