How to change instagram reel cover after posting
How to Add & Edit Cover Photos on Instagram Reels
Instagram Tips & Resources
By Jillian Warren
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Updated on September 20, 2021
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3 minute read
ICYMI: You can now add a cover photo to your Instagram Reels! Find out how...
Published September 20, 2021
Did you know that you can add a cover photo to your Instagram Reels?
Thanks to this handy feature, you can share almost any Reel to your account, while still keeping a carefully crafted Instagram aesthetic in tact.
Plus, you can now edit the cover photos of a published Reel – so you can retrospectively improve your visual branding on Instagram!
How to Add a Cover Photo to Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels always perform best when they're shared to your profile grid, but they might not be the best visual fit for your Instagram aesthetic.
To get around this, you can add a cover image to your Reels. Here's how:
Create an Instagram Reel, select "Next," and enter the "Share" settings screen.
Tap "Cover" on the Reel preview image.
Select a still from your Reel by dragging the selector icon across the duration of your footage, or select "Add From Camera Roll" to upload an image from your camera roll.
TIP: Adding an image from your camera roll will typically be higher quality than selecting a still from your video footage.
You can also preview and edit how your Reels cover image will look in your profile grid by selecting "Crop profile image."
From here, you can edit how the cover image displays on your profile grid. Drag the image to reposition, or perform a pinching motion with your finger tips to zoom in or out.
Take your Instagram strategy to the next level with Later — plan, schedule, and automatically post Reels to your feed. Sign up today:
How to Change an Instagram Reels Cover Photo After Posting
Thanks to a recent Instagram update, you can now edit Instagram Reels cover photos that were already posted.
This is great for bringing older Reels up-to-date with a new visual identity, or simply to make your Instagram aesthetic more cohesive.
How to edit an Instagram Reels Cover Photo:
Open a published Instagram Reel (via the Reels tab).
Select the three dots on the right-hand side of the screen.
Select "Edit."
Tap "Cover" on the Reel preview image.
Select a still from your Reel by dragging the selector icon across the duration of your footage, or select "Add From Camera Roll" to upload an image from your camera roll.
NOTE: It is not currently possible to preview how a cover photo will look in the profile grid when editing a published Reel.
How to Create an Instagram Reels Cover Photo
There are lots of great design and editing apps to help you create on-brand and aesthetically pleasing Reels cover designs.
Here are just a few apps you can use:
GoDaddy Studio (Web, iOS, and Android)
Canva (Web, iOS, and Android)
Storyluxe (iOS)
Adobe Creative Cloud Express (Web, iOS, and Android)
Unfold (iOS and Android)
Seen: Stories Maker(iOS)
What is the best image size for my Instagram reel covers?
Reels share roughly the same dimensions as Instagram Stories (1080 x 1920 pixels), so you can use any of the pre-built templates for Instagram Stories as a starting point.
Keep in mind that Reels shared to your profile will be cropped to 1:1 in your grid feed, and will be cropped to 4:5 in the Instagram Home Feed. Cover images will display in full on the Instagram Reels tab.
PS Make sure your Instagram profile picture matches your reel cover photo and aesthetics.
FYI: Later is a social media management tool trusted by over 4M businesses, creators, and social media managers. Plan and automatically publish your Instagram Reels with Later — sign up today:
About the Author
Jillian Warren
Content Marketer
Jillian is a content manager with over 8 years of experience in marketing, editing, and social media strategy. You can follow her on Instagram: @jillwrren.
Plan, schedule, and automatically publish your social media posts with Later.
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How To Make an Instagram Reels Cover That Pops [Templates]
How to add an Instagram Reels cover
How do you make an Instagram reel cover?
Instagram Reels cover sizes and dimensions
Free Instagram reels cover templates
Frequently asked questions about Instagram Reels covers
Looking to create an Instagram Reels cover that really pops? You’re in the right place! Crafting the perfect cover for your Reel is essential to drawing in viewers and keeping them engaged with your content. Not only will a great cover help your Reels stand out, but it will also give your followers an idea of what to expect from your videos.
The best part? You don’t need to be a professional designer to create an amazing Instagram Reels cover. Let’s explore how to change your Instagram Reel covers, some templates to get you started, and how to make sure your covers look great on your feed.
Get your free pack of 5 customizable Instagram Reel Cover templates now. Save time, get more clicks, and look professional while promoting your brand in style.
How to add an Instagram Reels cover
By default, Instagram will display the first frame of your Reel as your cover image. But, if you plan on sharing your Reels on your Instagram profile grid, you’ll want to add a cover that’s eye-catching and relevant to the video. Plus, something that fits into the overall vibe of your profile.
To choose a cover image for a new Instagram Reel:
1. Tap on the + sign and choose Reel to begin creating.
2. Select the video you want to upload or record a new one.
3. Add audio, effects, and filters as desired.
4. When you’re ready to add a cover, tap on the Edit cover button, shown in the preview of your new Reel.
5. Choose the image you want to use as your cover.
You can use an existing still from your Reel or select a custom Instagram Reel cover from your camera roll.
6. Tap on Done when finished to upload your Reel.
To edit the cover photo of an existing Reel:
1. Choose the Reel you want to edit from your profile. Then, click the three dots in the top right corner of the Reel and click Edit.
2. Select the Cover button shown on the preview of your Reel.
3. Here, you can choose to use an existing still from your Reel or select a new Instagram reel cover from your camera roll.
4. Tap on Done twice and review the Reel on your Instagram feed.
Be sure to experiment with different cover photos until you find the perfect one for your Reel and feed.
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How do you make an Instagram reel cover?
Try creating a custom reel cover photo to add a little personality to your Instagram Reels. Custom Reel cover photos show your audience that you’re creative and willing to put in the extra effort to make your content stand out.
If you want to design your own Instagram Reel cover, you can use a template (like the ones we made – found below) or create one from scratch.
Canva is a great option for creating custom Instagram Reel covers. With Canva, you can select from a variety of templates or create your own design. You can also use tools like Adobe Express, Storyluxe, or Easil to create your own Reel covers.
If you need help designing your Instagram Reels themselves, check out these handy Reel templates to get started.
When creating a custom Instagram Reel cover, be sure to consider the following:
- Your cover photo should represent your brand, personality, and the content of your Reel.
- Use bright colors and bold fonts to make your cover photo stand out.
- If using text in your cover photo, use a legible font and make it large enough to be easily seen.
- Avoid using too much text or complex graphics.
Make sure you use high-quality images and video in your Instagram Reel cover photo. Remember, this is the first thing people will see when they come across your Reel, so you want to make a good impression.
Instagram Reels cover sizes and dimensions
All Instagram Reels are shown in a 9:16 aspect ratio (or 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels). Instagram Reel cover photos, on the other hand, will vary depending on how they’re being viewed.
- In your profile grid, Reel cover photos will be cropped to 1:1
- On the main Instagram feed, or in someone else’s profile, your Reel cover photo will be 4:5
- On the dedicated Instagram Reels tab, your cover photo will be shown in full 9:16
This means that you’ll need to design your cover photo accordingly, keeping in mind that it will be cropped in different ways depending on where it’s shown.
The main thing to remember is that your cover photo should be recognizable and attention-grabbing even when it’s cropped. Make sure the most important elements of your design are placed within the center of the image, where they won’t be cut off.
If this seems tricky, don’t sweat it. We’re sharing some pre-built templates below to make your Instagram Reels cover stand out.
Free Instagram reels cover templates
Don’t feel like starting from scratch? We’ve created these handy Reels cover templates to help you design wow-worthy Instagram Reels.
Get your free pack of 5 customizable Instagram Reel Cover templates now. Save time, get more clicks, and look professional while promoting your brand in style.
Here’s how to get started:
- Click the Use template button to copy the templates to your personal Canva account.
- Choose from five professionally designed themes and swap in your content.
- That’s it! Download your custom cover and add it to your Reel.
Frequently asked questions about Instagram Reels covers
Can you put a cover on Instagram Reels?
Yes, you can add custom covers to your Instagram Reels or choose to show a still frame from your existing video. The benefit of using a custom Instagram Reel cover is that you can design it to match your brand. Custom covers also help build your brand’s overall look and feel on Instagram. Creating a cohesive design for your Reels covers can bring an added aesthetic edge to your Instagram profile.
The benefit of a still frame is that it gives direct insight into what your audience can expect from your Reel. Plus, you won’t have to spend time creating a custom cover.
Why did Instagram remove my Reel cover?
In some cases, Instagram may remove your Reel cover if it violates the platform’s guidelines. This could include using copyrighted material or images that are NSFW.
If your Reel cover is removed, you’ll need to upload a new one that complies with Instagram’s guidelines. If you feel the removal was in error, you can also appeal the decision using the appeal form.
Do I need a Reel cover?
Yes, every Instagram Reel has a Reel cover. If you don’t choose one, Instagram will automatically select a thumbnail from your video. Keep in mind, Instagram picks at random. This means your cover could be a great shot or a not-so-great one.
Creating a Reel cover gives you complete control over how your video appears in the feed. And, since it’s the first thing people see, it’s worth taking the time to create a Reel cover that accurately reflects the content of your video.
How do I change my Reel cover after posting?
You can now change your Instagram Reel cover photo after posting. Simply navigate to your Reel, click on the three dots to edit, and select the Cover button.
You’ll be prompted to choose an existing still frame or upload your cover image.
What size is the best Instagram reel cover size?
Your Instagram Reel cover will be shown in a 1:1 aspect ratio in your profile grid and 4:5 on the main feed. However, when someone is viewing your Reel on the dedicated Instagram Reels tab, they’ll see your cover photo in full 9:16.
To make sure your Instagram Reel cover looks great no matter where it’s being viewed, we recommend using an image that’s 1080×1920 pixels and keeping any important details within the central 4:5 area.
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How to change the cover art of Instagram videos
Videos hosted as Reels will appear in users' Overview tab as well as their profiles in the Reels tab.
To make your reels appear and get the most views, the first thing you can do is change the cover photo of the videos that others interact with before watching them.
This post will help you understand what is Instagram Reels cover and how you can change it for your Reels video.
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What is an Instagram Reels cover?
When creating a Reels video on Instagram, you need to keep in mind that users will not only view it from their Explore tab, but also access it from your profile's Reels tab.
This is where the Instagram Reels cover plays a significant role as it allows you to show a sneak peek of your Reels video without revealing all of its content and to make sure viewers have clicked on your video.
So the Reels cover is just as important as choosing a Youtube video thumbnail because it can be the deciding factor between clicking on a video or not.
Instagram allows you to select a cover image by selecting a frame from a video you upload or by selecting an image from your gallery.
How to change the cover photo of your Instagram videos before posting
You can change the cover image of your Instagram videos when you are about to post it. To get to the part where you change the Reels cover, you first need to record a Reels video by opening the Stories camera, tap the right arrow to confirm recording, and then tap the arrow icon in the bottom right corner.
You will now be taken to the Share screen in Reels which will allow you to complete the snippets and snippets of your Reels video. To change the cover image of your Reels video, click on the box labeled "Cover" on the left side of the headings section.
In the next step, you can either set the cover art from a frame present inside the video, or select an image from your gallery.
Selecting a frame from a Reels video
Tapping the cover art field on the Share screen will take you to the Cover screen.
If you'd like to select a frame to use as the cover, swipe across the frame bar at the bottom to browse from the set of frames available inside the video you're about to post as reels.
Once you decide which frame to set, click on it and check the preview image at the top to double check your selection.
Once everything is sorted, click the Done button in the top right corner and then click the Share button to upload your video to Reels. Your video will appear with the cover art you choose from your profile's Reels tab.
Selecting an image to upload as cover art
If you are not happy with the selection of frames from a recorded Reels video, you can also upload a separate image that will be set as the Reels cover image that users will see before clicking on your video. To do this, navigate to the cover section of your Reels video by tapping the cover art box inside the Share screen.
On this screen, you will not immediately notice the option to add an image from the gallery.
You will need to scroll down to see it and then click the "Add from Gallery" button at the bottom. Select an image from your library and click Done.
You can now upload your reels with your chosen image by clicking the share button at the bottom and you will now be able to see your reel video with the cover you uploaded from the reels tab in your account.
How to change the cover photo of your Instagram videos after posting
Unfortunately, Instagram does not allow you to edit or change the cover image if your videos have already been published online. We tried to post the Reels video and then edit it again. Apparently, you can only change the Reels video that is hosted in the profile grid, and even that only offers you limited video uploads.
You will only be able to add location, caption or tag people when editing a Reels video uploaded to your profile grid. To do this, click on the video in the main profile tab (not the Drums tab), click the three dots icon in the upper right corner, and select the Edit option.
However, this option is not available for Reels videos.
If you want to change the cover art of your Reels video after it has been posted, the only way to do so is to first delete the video and upload it again. To delete a Reels video, select it by going to your profile > Reels tab, click on the three dots icon at the bottom of the video, and then click on the "Delete" option in the list. Confirm the process by clicking Remove when prompted.
You can then re-upload your Reels video by following the process above.
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Cover for Rils - how to change after publishing a video on Instagram » registered users, Reels profile. In order to get the maximum number of views, it is planned to change the cover photo. Following a clear sequence of actions, errors are eliminated when performing a task.
What the cover is for
When creating a Reels video on a social network, users need to know that subscribers not only view on their personal Explore tab, but additionally get access from the Reels profile.
Cover art provides an opportunity to increase engagement rates without displaying content. It is the main factor that encourages viewing. There are several ways to solve this problem.
Cover requirements
Developers do not set personal requirements for the cover. Users are required to adhere to the following recommendations:
- the picture prompts you to view the video of interest;
- The graphic used for the cover does not reveal the essence of the video.
As a result, it is possible to avoid common mistakes and rapidly increase user engagement rates. Consequently, the total number of views and comments is rapidly increasing.
How to add Reels cover art
There are several ways to accomplish this task. Each of them implies a clear sequence of actions. To change the cover art before posting, you need:
- First, record a video of interest using the Stories camera.
To do this, press the right key to confirm the action, and then on the image of the arrow located in the upper right corner. - To make changes, you need to click on the graphic image of the cover, which is located on the left side.
In the next step, users determine the priority path themselves. For example, using a frame from a video, a picture from the gallery.
Selecting a frame from a Reels video
A clear sequence of actions is:
- Pressing the share button.
- The system automatically opens the "Cover" section.
- To select a frame later, you need to drag your finger along the frame bar at the bottom. As a result, a set of frames that are available from the video is automatically generated.
- After that, you need to click on the frame of interest, followed by a check for compliance. The preview function will allow you to complete the task.
After sorting, you need to click on the "Finish" button, which is located in the upper right corner.
In the next step, the "Share" button is pressed to initiate the upload of the personal video to Rils. The video of interest is automatically displayed with the cover set in the Rils subsection of the registered personal account.
Selecting an image to upload
If it is not possible to select a graphic image of interest for the cover from an existing video, the developers offer to use the function of downloading the image you like for subsequent installation on a personally created video. The instruction provides for the following sequence of actions:
- Initially, you need to go to the cover section of the Reels personal video. To do this, you need to click on the cover field, which is located inside the "Share" screen.
- The system does not automatically display a list of graphics that can be added. Users need to additionally scroll to the bottom of the page, and then click on the add from gallery button.
- The desired graphic image is selected from the presented list.
- At the end of the procedure, the "Finish" key is pressed.
Once changes are made, users can easily change the covers as needed. To do this, you need to load personal drums with the selected graphic image, and then click on the "Share" button located at the bottom of the page. As a result, the available list is displayed, which was previously uploaded to the personal registered personal account.
How to change after the video is published
The developers of the social network do not allow editing or making changes to the graphic image set as the cover if the video is posted. Adjustment of the Rils video is provided in limited functionality.
Each registered user has the right to change:
- personal location;
- signatures;
- marks of users when editing a Rils video, which is pre-loaded on the tab of a personal registered personal account.
If users plan to change the cover art after pre-publishing, the only option is to delete it initially and then re-upload it. To complete the task, you must adhere to the following instructions:
- Authorization in the registered personal account of the social network.
- Select from a list of personal downloaded videos provided.
- Pressing the delete key from the displayed function list.
- Reloading the video of interest while making changes to the cover and choosing the graphic image you like.
This method allows you to make changes to the video an unlimited number of times. Tellingly, the number of views, likes, remain unchanged. Previously posted comments are automatically deleted. As a result, we can say with confidence that there is no way to correct videos after publication.
