How do you upload pictures to instagram from your computer
How to post to Instagram from PC
By Cat Ellis
last updated
Post to Instagram from PC via Vivaldi or BlueStacks App Player and easily keep your friends up to date with all your latest adventures
(Image: © Shutterstock)
Learning how to post to Instagram from PC is a nifty little trick to master for those moments when you're desperate to share your latest adventures with your friends and family but find that your phone is completely out of juice.
If you have one of the best Windows laptops or the best computers, posting to Instagram from there can actually offer you more flexibility in terms of being able to easily upload edited images and videos. Plus, you can view everything on a much bigger screen, which can be really helpful depending on what content it is that you're wanting to share.
That being said, trying to post to Instagram from PC isn't the most straightforward of tasks by any stretch of the imagination. Still, it's definitely worth the hassle if you're someone who prefers to take picture-perfect snaps with one of the best DSLR cameras instead of a smartphone. There's no denying the cameras on the best phones have come a long way in recent years, but for the those of us who are photography fanatics, you can't beat holding a digital camera in your hands.
The good news is that for all you aspiring content creators out there or anyone who just wants a bit more freedom when it comes to posting to Instagram, we have all the tips and tricks you need to know below to help you figure out how to post to Instagram from PC. And all it takes is grabbing some free software!
Method 1: Vivaldi
Image credit: TechRadar1. Get Vivaldi
The super-customizable web browser Vivaldi offers the quickest and easiest way to post to Instagram from PC or Mac. It does this by running the mobile version of Instagram's website in a web panel.
Download and install Vivaldi , then either run through the wizard to import bookmarks and set your preferences, or click 'Skip all' and continue with the browser's default settings.
2. Create a web panel
Navigate to www.instagram.com , then click the plus icon (Add Web Panel) on the left-hand side of the browser interface. The URL will be filled in automatically, so all you have to do is click the plus again.
The mobile version of Instagram will now appear in a sidebar on the left-hand side of the browser, and will stay there as you browse other sites. Log into your account, then resize the sidebar until the mobile site fits in comfortably.
Image credit: TechRadar3. Upload to Instagram
Click the plus icon at the bottom of the website to choose a photo from your PC or Mac, apply filters, add a caption and tags, and upload it to your account.
Method 2: BlueStacks App Player
Image credit: TechRadar1. Get BlueStacks App Player
The Instagram app for Android is superb, and you can run it on your desktop using free Android emulator BlueStacks App Player, enabling you to post to Instagram from PC or Mac.
Download and install BlueStacks , then wait a few minutes while the engine starts for the first time. Dismiss the tutorial using the cross at the top right, make sure the correct language is selected and tap the arrow button.
Image credit: TechRadar2. Log into your Google account
Click ‘Continue’, then log in using your Google account. Review the terms of service and, if you agree, click ‘OK’.
The next checkboxes are completely optional; if you’re only using BlueStacks to upload to Instagram, feel free to uncheck them all. Click the Next arrow, then enter your name (it'll only be used to personalize some apps).
Image credit: TechRadar3. Install the Instagram app
You'll now see a version of the Google Play Store. Search for Instagram (the search bar is in the top right), select the official app when it appears and click Install. The app will request access to information including your contacts and location.
If that's OK with you, click 'Accept'.
After a moment, the Instagram icon will appear under the My Apps tab. Click it once to launch it.
Image credit: TechRadar4. Upload, apply filters and share
BlueStacks will change to the size and shape of a vertically-oriented smartphone. Sign into your Instagram account with your usual details (the login link is at the bottom). Your Instagram feed will appear as it would on a phone.
Click the plus icon at the bottom, then select 'Gallery'. Click the 'Gallery' drop-down menu at the top left and select 'Other', then click 'Pick from Windows'. Find the photo you want to upload, select it and click 'Open'.
You can now crop the picture, add filters and a caption, and share it with your followers via all the usual social networks.
Cat is the editor of TechRadar's sister site Advnture. She’s a UK Athletics qualified run leader, and in her spare time enjoys nothing more than lacing up her shoes and hitting the roads and trails (the muddier, the better)
How to Post on Instagram from a PC or Mac (3 Methods)
Tired of posting on Instagram from your phone? Wondering how to post on Instagram from your PC or Mac instead?
You’ve come to the right place.
Posting on Instagram from your desktop can save you time and offer more flexibility in what you can upload (such as edited videos and images).
And you can do it without having to upload them onto your phone first.
Below we’ve outlined three different ways to post on Instagram from your computer.
How to post on Instagram from your computer
Method 1: How to post on Instagram from your computer using Hootsuite
Method 2: How to post on Instagram from a PC or Mac
Method 3: How to post on Instagram from your computer using Creator Studio
How to post an Instagram Story from desktop
How to post an Instagram carousel post from desktop
How to edit an Instagram post from desktop
Bonus: Download a free checklist that reveals the exact steps a fitness influencer used to grow from 0 to 600,000+ followers on Instagram with no budget and no expensive gear.
Below, you’ll find ways to post on Instagram from your PC or Mac. We’ll also show you how to post via Hootsuite which works on either operating system.
If you’re more of a visual learner, watch this video from our pals at Hootsuite Labs to see how easy it can be:
Method 1: How to post on Instagram from your computer using Hootsuite
You can schedule feed posts, Stories, carousel posts, and Instagram ads with Hootsuite.
The instructions below will walk you through the process of posting to your Instagram feed. We cover Instagram Stories and carousels a little further down in this article.
To post on Instagram from a PC or Mac using Hootsuite, follow these steps:
- Log into your Hootsuite dashboard. If you don’t have an account yet, create one here for free.
- From your dashboard, click on the green New Post button at the top.
- The New Post window will appear. Under Post to, select the Instagram account where you want to post your content. If you haven’t added an account yet, you can do that by clicking +Add a social network in the box and following the directions.
- Drop the image or video you want to post to Instagram in the Media section. Enhance your image and/or video with the photo editor.
- Once you’re done, add your caption in the Text section as well as any hashtags you want to use. You also have the option to add a location at the bottom.
- When you’ve crafted your post, review it for any errors. Once you’re sure everything is good to post, click the Post Now button at the bottom.
Alternatively, you can also Schedule for later if you want it to post at a different time.
For a quick summary of how to post on Instagram from Hootsuite, watch this video:
Voila! Posting photos and videos to Instagram from PC or Mac is that easy.
Method 2: How to post on Instagram from a PC or MacAs of October 2021, all Instagram users can create and publish feed posts from the browser version of the app.
To post on Instagram from your desktop computer (PC or Mac), follow these simple steps:
- Go to the Instagram website (instagram.com) and sign in to your account.
- Click the plus symbol in the top right corner of the screen (it’s the same button you would use to create a post in the mobile app).
A Create new post window will pop up. - Drag photo or video files into the popup window, or click Select from computer to browse and pick files from your PC or Mac. If you want to create a carousel post, you can select up to 10 files.
- Click the frame icon in the bottom left corner of the popup to change the ratio of your image or video. You can also use the zoom feature (looking glass icon in the bottom left) and drag your file to edit your frame. When you’re done, click Next in the top right corner.
- Edit your image. You can select one of 12 preset effects in the Filters tab or go to the Adjustments tab and manually adjust specs such as brightness, contrast and fade. Click Next.
- Write your caption. Click on the smiley face icon to browse and pick emojis. You can also type in a location in the Add location bar, restrict commenting in Advanced settings and add alt text to your files in the Accessibility section.
- Click Share.
And that’s it!
At the moment, only feed posts can be created and published directly from Instagram on desktop. Keep reading to find out how to post Instagram Stories from a PC or Mac computer.
Method 3: How to post on Instagram from your computer using Creator Studio
If Instagram is your social network of choice and you don’t mind not having all your social networks in one dashboard, Creator Studio could be a good option for you.
Note that when using Creator Studio, you can post and schedule all types of posts other than Instagram Stories.
How to post on Instagram using Creator Studio:
- Make sure you are connected to Instagram in Creator Studio.
- Navigate to the Instagram section.
- Click Create Post.
- Click Instagram Feed.
- Choose the account you want to post to (if you have more than one Instagram account connected).
- Add a caption and a location (optional).
- Click Add Content to add photos or videos.
- Next, choose between these 2 options:
- Click From File Upload to upload new content.
- Click From Facebook Page to post content that you’ve already shared on your Facebook.
- (Optional) If you want to simultaneously post this content to the Facebook Page connected to your Instagram account, check the box next to your Page under Post to Facebook. You can add additional details to your Facebook post after you publish to Instagram.
- Click Publish.
You can post an Instagram Story from your computer using a third-party social media management tool like Hootsuite. Just follow the steps outlined in this short video:
Or, read our step-by-step article on how to post an Instagram Story from your computer.
If you don’t have Hootsuite, you can post an Instagram Story from your PC or Mac through the following steps:
- Go to Instagram.com.
- Go to developer mode on either Safari or Google Chrome (see Mac and PC sections above for detailed steps).
- Click on the camera in the top left.
- Choose an image or video you’d like to add to your story. Edit it with text, stickers, filters, gifs, or whatever else.
- Tap Add to your story at the bottom.
You’re done! It’s practically the same steps as if you were using the Instagram app on a mobile device.
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How to post an Instagram carousel post from desktop
With Hootsuite, you can also create and easily publish carousel posts (with up to 10 images or videos) directly to Instagram. Here’s how.
1. Go to Planner and tap New post to launch Compose.
2. Select the Instagram account you want to publish to.
3. Include your caption in the Text box.
4. Go to Media and tap Select files to upload. Select all the images you want to include in your carousel. All selected images should appear under Media.
5. Use the yellow Schedule button to select a date and time to publish your post.
6. Tap Schedule. The post will show up in your Planner at the time you have scheduled it for.
That’s it! Your post will go live on the date and time you selected.
How to edit an Instagram post from desktopHootsuite Compose allows you to edit any image directly on your dashboard before you post it. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to edit the image once it’s posted.
Follow these steps to edit:
- Log into your Hootsuite dashboard. If you don’t have an account yet, get your free 30-day trial here (no pressure to pay, you can cancel anytime).
- From your dashboard, click on the green New Post button at the top.
- The New Post window will appear. Under Post to, select the Instagram account where you want to post your content. If you haven’t added an account yet, you can do that by clicking +Add a social network in the box and following the directions.
- Drop the images and/or videos you want to post to Instagram in the Media section
- To edit, click on Edit Image below the Media section.
This brings up Hootsuite Composer’s edit tool. It allows you to customize the aspect ratio of your image to fit practically any social media platform’s image metrics. From the sidebar, you also have the ability to add filters, adjust lighting and focus, add text and stickers, and use the brush too. - Once you’re finished click Save.
- Add your caption, hashtags, and location. Then click Post Now.
Voila! You just edited your image from your desktop.
Post to Instagram from your PC or Mac using Hootsuite. Save time, grow your audience, and measure your performance alongside all your other social channels. Try it free today.
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How to add photos to Instagram from a computer
Update: 02/12/2021
To work effectively on Instagram, it is not enough to have an application on your phone.
Many people need to upload photos from a computer, and often publish at a time when it is not convenient.
Anyone who has ever tried to upload photos to Instagram from a web page through a browser knows that it cannot be done just like that. There are the following ways to solve the problem. Using:
- browser tools; nine0010
- Creator Studio via Facebook;
- browser extensions for Android and iOS on PC;
- delayed posting service SMMplanner.
Let's consider each of them in detail.
Using available browser tools
If you are faced with a one-time task to upload photos to Instagram from a computer, this method is for you. To start uploading a photo:
- Log in to Instagram through a browser on your computer. nine0009 Press F12 (or Shift+Ctrl+I, or right-click anywhere on the page, then "Inspect Element") to open the developer window.
- In the window that appears, click the phone icon.
Please note that the developer window, depending on the browser, can be located both on the side of the page and on the bottom.
- Refresh the page.
- Use it.
Using Creator Studio via Facebook
This way of posting through the official Facebook service is suitable for those who want to post often and a lot. After authorization in Creator Studio through the browser, you will be able to add and delete photos, set up delayed posting and page statistics.
Mandatory action - linking an Instagram account to a Facebook page after creating PageFollowing the instructions, enter the Login and Password for the desired Instagram account, and confirm the link to Facebook from your smartphone.
Features of the service:
- authorization is carried out through Facebook, Instagram and Facebook accounts are linked to each other;
- works only with business and Author accounts;
- Publication of Stories is not yet available;
- there are additional restrictions due to Instagram permissions.
Via User-Agent Switcher browser extension
Suitable for Opera and Chrome browsers. Using the emulator, you can open Instagram as if it were open on a smartphone.
Click the extensions icon in the upper right corner of the browser, then "Add extensions" In the search bar, enter the name User-Agent Switcher Find the blue planet extension icon, click on it and installWhen the installation process is completed, click on extensions icon in the upper right corner of the browser and enable the installed extension by clicking on the button. The extension icon will appear next to the address bar, among other extensions. nine0003
Now go to your Instagram page.
By clicking on the User-Agent Switcher, in the window that appears, click the Android icon and the "Update" button in the same window At the bottom of the page there is a button to add a new photo. Click on it and upload a picture from your computer The disadvantage of this method is the impossibility of cropping and applying some other settings.
Also, users complain that when placing text, the preview of the description of the publication does not allow you to see it in its entirety. nine0003
Using the SMMplanner scheduling posting service
The scheduling posting service is designed to facilitate the management of Instagram accounts. You plan today, and see the result tomorrow (and even a year later). The way of laying out images through the service is suitable for both those working in this field and amateurs.
SMMplanner allows you to add and remove photos and videos for a minimum amount, publish them to the Feed, Stories and IGTV. You can apply all sorts of filters, settings to the content, edit the general appearance of the page and, of course, make many posts at once and set the time of their publication. nine0003 The service provides not only settings for the posts themselves, but also extensive filters for editing photos. On the Internet, there are four working ways to send your image to the Instagram social network from a computer. If you are a connoisseur of online games, and an Android emulator is installed on your computer, you can easily access a social network through it. If posting from a computer to Instagram is your dream or job, take a look at Creator Studio (with some limited features) or SMMplanner, whose capabilities are limited almost only by your imagination. Many people ask themselves: “Is it possible to post a photo to Instagram from a computer?”. We have collected in this article methods that give a 100% guarantee that your publication will appear in the feed if you add it from a PC. Let's move on to detailed instructions. nine0109 To post an image to Instagram from a computer, use your browser. For Google Chrome and Opera, right-click on the "View Code" option, and in "Yandex Browser" - "Explore Element". Now let's see how it looks in practice. nine0003 Go to the browser, go to the Instagram page and connect your account. Right-click and select View Code. We used the Google Chrome browser. In the window that opens, select the display of the page in mobile phone format. Refreshing the page and using all the functionality of the application from Facebook. nine0003 Mobile version of Instagram on PC And now we can send a picture. Next, let's look at several options for loading images using browser extensions. This application helps you quickly upload a photo without you needing any extra effort. Install the extension. nine0003 To access Google Chrome extensions, click on the three dots at the top of the screen, select "More tools" and then find the "Extensions" line. After installation, an icon will appear in the extension bar: Click on it, a separate tab will open in front of you in a vertical size. The screencast shows the mechanism of the application - click "+", select a photo and send the picture to the feed. The only downside is that you will not be able to edit the image with the built-in Instagram functionality. nine0003 Screencast of available features The second extension we are looking at allows you to add images and work with stories. Installing the extension. Open an Instagram account in a browser. After connecting, several icons will appear on the page: a camera - uploading images, a smartphone - opening a separate tab in the mobile phone format, a bright circle with an arrow - stories. And the last symbol allows you to download all publications. nine0003 Extension operation Click on the "camera" and select "Add to Profile" - this function allows you to publish an entry in the feed. The overview below shows how the extension works. You are only allowed to resize the image, tag people and make a note. The third extension is a separate application through which you can add photos, videos and stories. nine0003 Install and run the extension. In the browser, click on the application icon at the top right. When clicked, a separate tab will open. Here you need to connect your account and work with the profile, as from a smartphone. The checkbox for uploading photos is checked by default, as is access to the full image format. Additionally, through the Desktopify extension, you can upload videos to IGTV. nine0003 Tab with extension The overview below shows an example of how the application works when the Desktopify extension is connected. And now let's move on to the emulator service that displays the smartphone screen on a PC - use mobile applications or run games. Of all the emulators on the market, BlueStacks is the most convenient. The application automatically adjusts to the screen, optimizes games and works without delay. Download and install the emulator. In the program window that opens, connect your account to Google Play. We install the application. Go to the main page - this is a tab located next to Google Play at the top of the screen. Open the "System Applications" folder and turn on "Media Manager". We will need this step to upload photos that we will publish in the feed. Important! Emulators do not have a function to open computer system folders. All images must be uploaded to the server in advance. In the file manager, click on "Import from Windows" and select the images that we want to place in our Instagram account. We return to the application page and load the picture. nine0003 An example of how the emulator works A feature from Facebook that allows you to work with two social networks at the same time. Let's see how to link accounts and add images. Go to the Facebook Creator Studio page. At the top of the screen, switch to the Instagram icon. Important! Make sure your Facebook and Instagram accounts are linked. After clicking on the button, a window will appear - agree to the terms and add profile data. Now you can add entries: click "Create publication" and start registration. The example below shows how the service works. The only thing is that you can’t edit a photo here, but you can prepare it in advance in image editors: for example, in Canva, Photoshop or Figma. nine0003 An example of how the service works In the following sections, we'll look at how to set up a delayed write in the scheduling services. They are used in their work by SMM specialists, marketers and bloggers. Important! Please note that all planning services provide free access for a limited period of 7 to 14 days. If it is more convenient for you to send photos via PC, we recommend purchasing a paid subscription. In this section, we will look at a simple and convenient program for scheduling posts. Go to the SMM Planner website and register. Go to the dashboard. Select the "Accounts" tab and connect your profile to Instagram. The added profile should look like the screenshot below: Next, go to the "Posts" tab. Here we form publications and plan the time of sending. nine0003 Desktop for working with records Click on the "Schedule a post" button. It will be posted on the feed. In the window that opens, add a photo and text, and check the boxes where necessary: disable or add comments, send a picture to stories or IGTV. After publication, the entry will appear in the dashboard, and the post in your account. And here we looked at a program through which you can not only publish images, but also track analytical data for each post. Register on the Parasite website. Add an Instagram account. Click on the green button that says "Add post" and make an entry. At the appointed time, the entry will be published. And here we show you how to post using a promotion program. Create an account on the Tooligram website. Add an Instagram profile. Go to the "Features" tab and find the "Delayed Posting" item. nine0003 Delayed posting in the Tooligram service Wait until the service connects your account. Then click on "Auto Posting". You will see a window with an authorization request, agree and proceed to the registration of the record. The review below shows how to work with the functionality of the service - selecting and editing an image, adding text and setting the date and time of the publication.
To whom to download "only once", feel free to use the tools of the browsers themselves. To do this, you do not need to install or register anywhere. nine0003 How to add a photo to Instagram from a computer
How to upload a photo to Instagram from a computer using a browser
Instructions for uploading photos
How to post a photo to Instagram from a computer from Instagram web
How to upload a photo to Instagram from a computer online in 3 steps
Now you can work with the service, as in a mobile phone. How to upload photos to Instagram from PC using Downloader for Instagram
Memo on how to add publications to Instagram from a computer
How to post a photo to Instagram from a PC using Desktopify
Guide on how to make a post on Instagram from a computer
You can apply a filter to adjust a photo, but you can't edit—to change the brightness, contrast, or saturation of an image. How to upload photos to Instagram from a computer for free using the BlueStacks 9 emulator0021
Manual for working with the emulator and adding a post to Instagram from a computer
nine0003 How to add a photo to Instagram on a PC using Facebook Creator Studio
Tips for adding photos to Instagram from your laptop
nine0003 A page where you can link the accounts of two services How to post photos to Instagram using a computer with SMM Planner
nine0003 5 steps to upload photos to Instagram from PC
How to add a photo to Instagram through a computer with Parasite
Manual how to upload to Instagram from a computer
How to post photos on Instagram from PC using Tooligram
How to use the website
