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:
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:
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:
A Create new post window will pop up.
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.
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:
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:
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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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:
Voila! You just edited your image from your desktop.
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Instagram stories are wildly popular. From celebrities to small businesses, everybody seems to utilize stories to get a message out. At least, for a brief window until the imagery goes into digital oblivion.
Since Instagram is a mobile-centric social network, a lot of functions, including computer uploads, are not available outside the mobile ecosystem. As Instagram doesn’t give you the option within the website’s interface to post a story, there are a few simple workarounds available.
You need to employ some browser tricks, use third-party apps or scheduling tools to successfully post an Instagram story from your Mac or PC. Either way, the process becomes straightforward once you get the hang of it.
Once you read the subtitle, this hack might sound like more than you’ve bargained for.
But it’s probably the easiest way to post an Instagram story or any other media from your computer.
This workaround doesn’t require additional software or extra payment to work, but you are limited to Google Chrome. With a few simple steps, you can post stories to Instagram from your Mac or PC.
If your computer doesn’t already have Google Chrome, you can get it here. This browser has several benefits with the Web Store. For installing Chrome extensions, there are endless possibilities for your Instagram account.
Launch Chrome and access the Developer tools from the View menu at the top. You can also use keyboard commands to quickly open the developer tools:
For Mac – Command + Options + J
For PC – Control + Shift + J
Note: The screenshots are taken on a Mac. So the layout might be a bit different on Windows, but the same steps still apply.
You will see one that looks like a tablet and a smartphone. It should say “Toggle device bar” once you hover the cursor over the icon. Click on that and you’ll notice that your web browser looks smaller.This method assumes you have images and videos ready on your computer. If not, you should upload them first.
Write custom captions, add doodles, and embellish your story using the same tools as you would on a mobile device. Hit “Add to your story” once you are happy with the looks. That’s it.
In theory, it is possible to post an Instagram story from Safari but your computer needs to allow Portrait orientation. You should be able to change your display settings and post a story.
If not, you can always use Safari to post pictures or videos.
Here is how to do it:
You can now log into your Instagram account and click on the “plus” icon to add photos and videos. As already mentioned, if you want to add a story, switch to portrait mode first.
Compared to Chrome, it might be easier to use Instagram on Safari because you get a full-window view. Then again, things become a bit tricky with posting stories via the portrait mode.
Third-party apps offer different posting/search features, and some of them are available with paid versions only. However, these apps can be useful if you are using Instagram for business or want to upload in bulk.
Hootsuite is a popular service for influencers and many entrepreneurs. Fortunately, it can do a lot more than schedule posts. Hootsuite gives you the option to set up Instagram posts from your computer.
Although it is a paid service, it is well worth the money if you’re managing multiple social media accounts, posts, and schedules.
An Android emulator, Bluestacks is also available on both Mac and PC. You need a Google account to use it and the entire process resembles the browser hacks described above.
The best thing about this app is that it’s free of charge and you can easily post stories, pictures, and videos. However, it doesn’t support bulk uploads and management of multiple accounts.
Hopper HQ is a scheduling tool designed for power users. It offers bulk uploads, full automation, analytics, and more. Plus, it features a Grid Planner which allows you to get a preview of your Instagram profile.
This tool is best for social media managers and influencers as the subscription price is a bit steep.
Dropbox doesn’t exactly let you post stories to Instagram using your computer but it is worth mentioning. Assuming you have some great photo editing software on your computer, or, it’s easier to work with your Instagram content on a larger screen, the Dropbox service makes it easier to move that content to a mobile device and upload it.
If you’re having issues with any of the above-listed options, Dropbox paves the road your edited content will travel from computer to smartphone. Combining simple upload options and immediate data uploads within the application, this is yet another way to post content on Instagram using your computer.
Posting an Instagram story from your computer is easy. And if you are an average user, there is no need to resort to third-party apps. Just make sure to upload photos or videos to your computer before you share them.
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In this article, we will tell you how to post stories on Instagram and upload them yourself from a computer where stories are added and whether it is possible to create stories on a computer for posting on Instagram. Stories is a handy tool for promoting a commercial blog on Instagram. With its help, audience surveys are conducted, announcements of events, new products, advertising is served, products are sold. All this increases the engagement of subscribers, the number of orders, the position of the page in the search results.
But if you're an active business account, you may need to work with a PC that won't be able to post new content. Fortunately, there are several ways out of this situation. Let's start with a simpler option.
Viewing Stories from a PC is carried out from the application website.
But there is limited functionality. It comes down to editing your profile (data, password, deleting notes) and viewing other people's pages. To expand the field of activity, try to do the following:
Let's take a closer look at the second method. It's free. Go to Google Chrome settings - More tools - Extensions. Then click on the list icon in the upper left corner and click "Open Online Store". In the search bar, enter the name as in the screenshot.
On the right side of the browser, you will have an icon to activate the mode on Instagram. Open it and select the appropriate emulator - a program that will allow you to use your account effectively. For example, Android is KitKat. Log in to your profile through the official website https://www.instagram.com. You will see that the blog has taken on a different, mobile-like form.
At this stage, you can already share photos in the feed with your followers. To do this, click on the camera icon and select a picture. At the bottom of the screen, you'll find editing features and filter options. To download Stories, you must have the content made and edited on your computer. Recommended format: 9*16. Click on the house in the lower left corner, and then on the icon in the upper. The extension will ask you to rotate your device. Narrow the window, or use Ctrl-Alt-Left Arrow to do so. Then publish by clicking Add.
There are several more ways, one of them is also through Google Chrome. Go to your browser settings again, select More tools - Online store and search for Web or Desktop for Instagram. The principle of operation is the same. The third version also asks to rotate the device, but after downloading the file. One big downside to all of these options is that you can only post images.
Also inconvenient is that in some cases they need to be pre-cropped in order for them to look good in Stories. There is no built-in editor.
In addition to all of the above, there are BlueStacks and Nox emulators. They are a screen smartphone, they work on Windows and Mac. With their help, you can upload not only photos, but also videos, change your profile, reply to messages in Direct, delete your account.
You can add your Stories to the archive on your phone. This means that it will always be available to you. There is no such function for other people's Stories. You will have to be content with a screenshot or use the StorySaver or InstaStory programs. In the case of a PC, various applications and extensions will again come to the rescue. One of them can be installed in the way you already know - through Google Chrome. In the search in the browser's online store, enter the name Chrome IG Story or immediately follow the link.
Click "Install" and then on the icon in the upper right corner. She looks like this. You will see your account listed. By clicking on the arrow next to the user or hashtag you are interested in, you will download the entire Stories archive!
If you need one specific Story, use Web for Instagram. In the search, find the user or hashtag leading to the publication you need, open the video and click on the blue arrow as in the screenshot.
Another way to download is the SMMplanner service. This is a paid site, but it has a trial period and upon registration you get the opportunity to publish 50 notes. They will be charged every month. A single photo or video posted in Stories is considered a post. Here are the actions that will be available to you.
After authorization, you need to attach your account. Scroll down the page you are on a little and select a social network.
There is one caveat! You must remember which mail was specified when creating the blog, or add the current address in the profile settings. On it (in case of resetting the password) instructions for recovery will be sent.
The system does not save the access combination and all personal data remains only with you. For this reason, the service will not be able to help you if you forget them. Also, no one will intercept your information and steal access. The next step is working with Stories.
Go to the Posts tab and select Schedule. Find the content you want to share on your PC. The recommended size for a photo is 9*16, video is 15 seconds. The free package only includes images. The site has the ability to edit. To enter this mode, click on the pencil icon.
All basic image editing functions are available.
Don't forget to click "Save" before exiting edit mode. The possibilities of the service do not end there. You can tag people or other commercial blogs in the photo. To do this, find the icon in the image in the lower left corner. Click on it and enter the user account. Type in the name, click on search, confirm (ok).
There is a link field above the picture. If you need to publish Stories with a URL, just enter the data in this line.
Hashtags are indicated in the text of the post.
Add a geotag. This is a useful element for promoting the page. To do this, in the "Search in Facebook places" as in the screenshot below, enter the name of the country, city or institution. Then go to edit mode (pencil) and select stickers. So you make a label with a sticker. You will see their options first in the list.
PC surveys are another great feature from SMMplannera. Write your question and include answers. To style all this with buttons, proceed as in the case of the location mark.
These are all the basic functions that are available. Don't forget to check the "Submit as Stories" box before posting. Set the date you plan to add videos or images. In this way, you can create a stock of posts that will be published automatically at the configured time.
Now you know how to post a Story on Instagram from a computer. The methods we have listed will make maintaining a business account easier and more efficient.
Especially if you decide to use an auto-posting site.
Not all free methods are listed in the article. There are other services as well. For example, Onlypult and emulators (virtual smartphones) for different operating systems. But all these extensions and programs have similar functionality. If you find alternative tools, you will easily understand them.
The popular social network Instagram allows followers to share their photos and videos with other users and upload them to stories. The service is available in several versions - as a mobile application on a smartphone, tablet and PC, as well as a web version in a browser. The latter option has a number of limitations, including the inability to upload content to the history and news feed of the page using standard tools. To solve this problem, special utilities and extensions have been developed. In this article, we will tell you how to add a story to Instagram through a computer.
The Instagram social network is available to users as a web version, but has one important limitation. You will not be able to upload a video to an Instagram story from a computer or to your news feed. To fix this defect, you need to use third-party services, install extensions and download special applications. There is a much easier way, just open a browser and follow a series of simple steps.
It is important to know that this feature is available only if you have permanent Internet access.
In this way, you can publish not only stories, but also update your news feed.
If you do not want to open the source window every time to download a video or image, or you constantly use your computer to log into a social network, use special third-party services. These can be browser extensions or apps. Below we will consider popular and convenient ways to upload a story to Instagram.
First, let's figure out what extensions are on a personal computer. These are special utilities that extend the capabilities of a standard browser by adding additional features. With Instagram Web, you can post videos and images to stories from your computer, turning the social network page into a mobile version with the appropriate extension of the sides and the list of features.
Installation and use is as follows:
To do this, go to the program and in the settings tab, find the add-ons item. Select the appropriate extension in the directory. The item is described for Yandex, on other browsers the location of the main elements may differ.
If you are engaged in commercial activities, promoting your product or service, then the Instagram social network will become a profitable and convenient platform for doing business for you.
As a rule, work on promoting accounts is carried out through a computer due to convenience and simplicity, but the standard tools and service regulations do not allow uploading videos and images to stories. This problem is solved by the Parasite application, which allows you to automate SMM promotion as much as possible and has the following functionality:
To upload videos or photos to stories from a computer, you need to do the following:
Note. This utility is provided free of charge for 7 days of use only. After that, you will have to pay a subscription fee, the amount of which depends on the chosen tariff - 349 rubles, 699 rubles, 1599 rubles. per month.
This is an extension for the browser of the same name on a personal computer, which allows you to watch the stories of your subscribers in real time and even download, but, unfortunately, using this application you cannot upload videos or images to stories. Consider the features of the add-on:
The service is a convenient and simple tool for SMM promotion in social networks. With it, you can set the exact schedule for publishing stories, as well as the simultaneous posting of records on several sites on the Internet at once. In addition, the site allows you to upload videos and images to Instagram from a PC.
To post stories on Instagram from a computer:
Services of this kind are suitable for experienced people who are engaged in commercial or advertising activities in social networks.
After all, such services contribute to the automation of promotion.
If you are not running a business, but just want to use Instagram on your personal computer and upload a video to your story, use the Android emulator called Bluestacks. This utility allows you to install and work with applications for mobile devices on your PC, including Instagram.
How to add and post stories on Instagram:
