How to fix the quality of a photo on instagram
How to Enable High Quality Uploads on Instagram
When uploading photos or videos to Instagram, you might have noticed that some content changes when you see it displayed on your profile. In fact, Instagram will resize, convert and/or compresses your digital files by default.
Although Instagram will upload your content with decent quality, there’s actually a way to improve them by restricting any sort of changes from ever occurring.
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Enabling High Quality Photo & Video Uploads in Instagram
While Instagram seems to try-hard to hide this feature by default, there’s a simple way to enable high quality uploads. Deep within the settings menu in your Instagram app is a simple way to change your upload preferences.
By enabling this setting, your photos and videos won’t experience any change in quality when you upload them. It’s possible to change this setting on Android or iOS; the instructions for each are similar but slightly different. See below.
Enabling High Quality Instagram Uploads on iOS
iPhone or iPad users will need to follow these instructions to enable high quality uploads:
1. Tap the Instagram icon on your Home Screen to launch the app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner so you’re viewing your own profile.
3. Tap on the three dashes in the upper right corner. This will pop-up a list of more options.
4. Tap “Settings” at the very top of the list.
5. Tap “Account” and then “Data Usage”. Alternatively, you can simply search for “Data Usage”.
6. Now, you will see two options. Click the toggle button next to “High Quality Uploads” so the button turns blue upon activation. That’s it. Now your uploads will be higher quality regardless if you’re using cellular or WiFi connectivity.
Enabling High Quality Instagram Uploads on Android
The process is quite similar but not exactly the same for Android users. Follow these instructions to enable this setting on the Instagram app for Android:
1. Tap the Instagram icon on your Home Screen to launch the app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner so you’re viewing your own profile.
3. Tap on the three dashes in the upper right corner. This will pop-up a list of more options.
4. Tap “Settings” at the very top of the list.
5. Tap “Account” and then “Cellular Data Use” towards the bottom of the list. Alternatively, you can simply search for “Cellular Data Use” back in the Settings menu.
6. Now, you will need to activate the toggle button next to “Data Saver” to unblur the “High Resolution Media” setting directly below.
Once you do that, it will let you choose from three options: never, WiFi only or Cellular + WiFi.
Choose “Cellular + WiFi” and now, regardless if you’re connected through your cell service or WiFi, the Instagram app won’t change your uploads or even attempt to compress or distort any of the content you view.
Turning-On High Quality Uploads on Instagram
As you can see, regardless of the type of device you’re using, enabling high quality uploads without any restrictions is actually quite easy. Keep in mind, however, that regularly uploading high resolution photos or videos can quickly use a lot of data. In fact, it can easily diminish any data usage you may have through your cell phone or Internet provider. Even browsing around with these settings activated can make a huge difference in your data usage. By enabling, you’re basically telling Instagram to give you the highest quality content without any regard for the amount of bandwidth you’re using.
To be honest, most users won’t find a huge difference by activating high quality uploads on Instagram. Given how advanced Instagram’s default compression algorithm works, the changes they make to your photos and videos are hardly noticeable. But if you have a large following or you’ve got a knack for providing the highest possible quality, it’s a setting that you’ll probably want to keep activated. Either way, trying it out for yourself is the best option.
If you try these settings activated for a few days and you don’t notice a big difference, we recommend leaving the default settings activated. Ultimately, you’ll end up saving a lot of data usage and it may be for the best. After all, load times will likely increase with high quality uploads enabled, which could ultimately put a damper on your overall Instagram experience.
Regardless, learning new things with Instagram is fun and can be quite useful. Whether you’re a personal account user or a manager of a big brand, learning the ins-and-outs of Instagram is a great skill to achieve.
Interested in learning more? Be sure to check out our other tutorials such as how to see a list of people you’ve requested to follow on Instagram or how to remove other users likes on your Instagram photos and videos. Enjoy!
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How To Fix Instagram Quality
By Rob Emerson April 26, 2022June 14, 2022
Why does my picture look blurry? That’s a question many of us might have asked ourselves at some stage.
Here we will be looking at all the aspects that will help you improve the picture and video quality on Instagram without any issues. Multiple factors exist that need to be ticked to get the best results.
Table of Contents
- How to Fix Instagram Quality?
- Method #1: Adjusting the Instagram Settings
- Method #2: Altering the Aspect Ratio and Resolution
- Method #3: Use a Good Camera
- Method #4: Have a Good Internet Connection
- Method #5: Use sRGB Color Profile
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Fix Instagram Quality?
An issue for many since Instagram’s compression algorithm is stringent.
However, there are reasons behind it. If they don’t compress images and resize them, then the storage space of Instagram will be over in no time. Therefore, it is necessary to make the changes.
Besides, the speed of the application will get affected as well. It will start lagging, and people won’t want to use it. Therefore, the compression is for the betterment of everyone.
The following are the methods you can apply to your image or video before uploading them on Insta to improve their quality.
Method #1: Adjusting the Instagram Settings
First, you need to toggle the Upload Photos in HD option on Instagram.
Here’s how to do it.
- Open the Instagram app.
- Go to “Settings.”
- Now tap on “Media and Contacts.”
- Ensure the “Upload photos in HD” option is “on.”
If you are an iOS user, then after the 3rd step, tap on Video and Pictures; you will find the HD option there.
As for the video quality, do this.
- Open the Instagram app.
- Go to “Settings.”
- Tap on “Account.“
- Select the Cellular Data Use option.
- Turn off “Data Saver.”
This will help improve the video quality a bit.
Method #2: Altering the Aspect Ratio and Resolution
The second thing that you need to fix is the aspect ratio and the resolution of your image since Instagram supports only a few options for both.
As for the resolution, it shouldn’t be more than 1080p. If you are trying to upload a large file size picture, then it is guaranteed that it’ll be compressed, and the quality won’t remain the same.
The resolutions and aspect ratios should be kept in mind before uploading.
- Image Type: Square, Aspect Ratio: 1:1, Resolution: 1080p x 1350p.
- Image Type: Vertical, Aspect Ratio: 4:5, Resolution: 1080p x 1350p.
- Image Type: Horizontal, Aspect Ratio: 16:9, Resolution: 1080p x 607p.
Now how to adjust the images according to these settings?
You can make use of excellent mobile software that is Adobe Lightroom. It is free, but the PC version will have to be paid for. Anyways, you can fix the aspect ratio and resolution of the images here.
It is better than the compression algorithm of Instagram, and the pictures will remain clean and maintain their quality.
Here are the compression percentages that you should set for best results.
- 70% for Lightroom Mobile
- 72% for Lightroom PC
- 72% for Photoshop PC
Adobe Photoshop can also be used on PC.
Method #3: Use a Good Camera
It isn’t easy to take quality pictures if you use a low-end mobile. So, a mobile with a good camera will help the cause. If you’re an iPhone user, then it’s even better.
Make sure that your camera settings are at their max for both pictures and videos. This way, even if the compression happens, the quality won’t suffer a lot.
If your camera supports 4K video shooting, then go for it.
Moreover, using your phone’s built-in camera will be better compared to using the one on Instagram. Although Instagram does give you different filters, the quality won’t be as good as the original cam.
Method #4: Have a Good Internet Connection
Make sure your internet connection is up and running. A bad connection will also reduce the picture and video quality since Insta won’t be compressing it to the best of its ability due to less speed.
Method #5: Use sRGB Color Profile
The default color profile is aRGB on Adobe software. Contrarily, Instagram supports the sRGB profile. Therefore, you need to change the color profile while exporting the images from Photoshop or Lightroom.
Conclusion
So, these were all the answers to the question that was posed, how to fix Instagram quality. You don’t need to be lagging in every department. Some might have issues with their camera quality, and some with their internet connection.
It varies.
Nevertheless, checking on each method will give you the picture and video quality you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s because of the compression algorithm of Instagram. However, multiple methods have been discussed to improve the quality.
Well, you can do a few things. Improve your camera quality, use Lightroom or Photoshop for compression, maintain the prescribed aspect ratios, use the sRGB color profile, and have a good connection speed.
Again, that’s because of the compression algorithm of Instagram. To save their storage space and keep the software for free, it is obligatory.
How to upload photos to Instagram without losing quality: Tips for optimizing your shot
Many people say that Instagram compresses photos and degrades the original quality of images. If you use the platform only to chat with friends, then the decrease in clarity may not interfere with the publication of frames. However, detail is important when you are promoting a brand and business, posting photos from photo shoots, and creating a beautiful feed.
Today we will tell you what determines the clarity of the picture and how to upload a photo to Instagram without losing quality.
Photo format and size requirements
In order for photos to be displayed without cropping or compression, you must set the appropriate photo format and size. The rules of the social network spell out the required frame proportions and resolution for posts, stories, and even profile photos.
Post sizes
You can post photos in different orientations in the feed. You can upload a vertical, horizontal or square image. In the profile, all content will be displayed in the form of a square, but when you open a picture, Instagram will show the original frame without cropping.
To ensure that images do not lose quality, you need to set the correct aspect ratio:
- Format: for horizontal images - 1.91:1, vertical - 4:5, square - 1:1.
- Resolution: for horizontal - 1080 × 566 px, vertical - 1080 x 1350 px, square - 1080 × 1080 px.
What happens if I upload an image "as is" without setting the resolution? When posting photos with a width of less than 320 pixels, Instagram will automatically increase the image resolution. Because of this, digital noise and pixelated areas will appear in the photo.
When uploading large photos, the social network will reduce the width to 1080 pixels. In this case, the detail and contrast of the photo may decrease.
How publications will look in different layouts
Aspect ratio in Stories
In Stories, for the correct display of the image, you need to publish content with a vertical orientation. Horizontal or square footage will either be framed with black borders, or they will adjust to the predominant color of the image.
Required properties for stories:
- Format: 16:9.
- Resolution: 1080 × 1920 dots.
- Media size: up to 30 MB.
And by the way, photos will be displayed in stories for 5 seconds.
You won't be able to change the media duration.
How pictures look in different positions in Stories
Profile photo resolution
The profile avatar in the social network is displayed as a circle, but a square picture is uploaded to the server itself. It's best to crop the shot yourself, as the platform automatically removes the edges of the image and can cut off important parts of the frame.
The size of the avatar depends on where the profile is opened:
- when viewed on a smartphone — 110 x 110 px;
- in a browser on a computer - 180 x 180 px;
- when displaying search results - 40 x 40.
Automatic cropping of photos with different aspect ratios
What affects the quality of pictures
Basically, the quality depends on the original resolution of the image. Also, the following criteria affect the clarity of the photo:
- when publishing content directly from applications for iPhone, the quality deteriorates;
- JPG and PNG images are best displayed;
- the social network makes the image faded and blurry, so before uploading it is worth sharpening and increasing the saturation of the photo;
- The detail depends on the model of the device from which the file was published.
How to upload photos to Instagram without losing quality
To optimize the image from your phone, you can use special applications. Good options for Android and iPhone would be InstaSize and NoCrop . For Android users, there is also a good software A Better Camera . All these utilities allow you to maintain the original proportions and upload pictures without white borders, help you avoid blurring the picture and scale the photo correctly.
Step-by-step instructions for optimizing a photo for Instagram
We will look at how to post photos on Instagram without losing quality, using the example of the application A Better Camera . It will allow you to expand the standard capabilities of the main camera, set the appropriate aspect ratio and get high detail.
You can download the application for free from the Google Play Market. Then we act according to the algorithm:
1.
You need to launch the application and swipe from top to bottom. In the menu that opens, select "Settings" and go to the "General settings" - "Shot size" section. Here you can choose the appropriate resolution for Instagram.
The higher the Mpix value, the higher the resolution.
2. Next, you need to go back and open the Screen Settings tab. You can display additional items in the start menu: battery power, grid, various modes, etc.
Options will allow you to control the quality of the photo
3. Then you need to exit the settings and swipe down again. Open the "Scenes" tab and specify the desired option: portrait, landscape, sports, etc. The software will automatically set the appropriate exposure, contrast and exposure settings. In fact, you need to choose a thematic filter in order to better convey the atmosphere of the frame and avoid graphical defects.
Available scenes
4. Click on the "Focus" option.
If you need to shoot small objects, it is better to switch to the "Macro" mode. For other situations, "Auto" is suitable.
Available options
5. Next, you need to return to the start menu and click on the modes icon in the lower right corner. Here you can select automatic shooting, create a panorama, a tool for removing unwanted objects, applying an HDR effect, or night mode.
The option is marked on the picture
6. After saving all the settings, you need to tap on the screen in the place where the lens should be focused. Click on the camera icon to take a photo. The result will be saved to the gallery. Now you can upload it to the platform through the Instagram mobile app.
Conclusions
Now it's clearer how to upload photos to Instagram without quality loss. The original low resolution affects the clarity of the pictures. In such cases, Instagram will automatically enlarge the image and make it blurry and pixelated.
A large image will in turn be reduced, and this can reduce the detail and contrast of the photo.
Before publishing, be sure to adjust the aspect ratio in the software, otherwise the frame will not be displayed correctly in the feed. You can use InstaSize, NoCrop and A Better Camera. To find other useful applications for working with photos and not only, it is necessary to read reviews of programs. So you can find the best solution for various tasks and get acquainted with all the features of the software.
If you follow the requirements of the social network, use special applications for optimization, you can guarantee a perfect image in the feed.
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Poor quality on Instagram? Here's what to do
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Svetlana Simagina 3
Instagram is a social network that allows you to easily and conveniently share your photos with friends.
Unfortunately, Instagram often ruins the quality of your photos because they are compressed when they are posted. This also applies to the desktop version of Instagram.
If you want to avoid quality loss on Instagram, read on.
Sizes of photos on Instagram
This is what is said on the Instagram support website:
When you share a photo in Instagram , whether it is a version for or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or or in order to download it in the best quality.
However, the reality is a bit more complicated. “Best quality” according to Instagram is only 1080 pixels wide.
If your photo is between 320 and 1080 pixels, then the quality will not be lost. If the aspect ratio of the image is between 1.91:1 and 4:5, then Instagram will not compress it. If the resolution of your image is higher, then the system will automatically compress it horizontally to 1080 pixels.
- Untreated : Photo width from 320 to 1080 pixels and height from 566 to 1350 pixels. Aspect ratio from 1.91:1 to 4:5.
- Stretch : If the photo is less than 320 pixels wide, it will be stretched. Compression : If the photo is larger than 1080 pixels wide or 1350 high, it will be compressed.
- Crop : If the aspect ratio is not supported, Instagram will crop it to the most suitable one (from 1.91:1 to 4:5).
It all seems too complicated, but don't be afraid. Read on to learn how to avoid compressing and cropping your Instagram photos.
How to post to Instagram without compression
To prevent Instagram from spoiling the quality of your photos, you can resize them to fit them in advance. Otherwise, Instagram will compress them.
There are a lot of photo resizing apps in the App Store, but we are going to tell you about an inexpensive and convenient Image Resize + Convertor app.
Any other will do.
1) Download Image Resize + Convertor from the App Store.
2) Open the app and select Select a Photo from the main screen.
3) Select the photo you want to post on Instagram.
4) When the photo is uploaded, resize it. You can choose to reduce to the finished size as a percentage, or specify the size manually.
5) For best results, it's better to use pixel counts rather than percentages.
6) Enter the exact image width. For us it will be 1080 pixels. The width is entered in the field Width .
7) Press the button Next .
9) Now click Save and save the result.
That's it. Now you have a photo with the most suitable resolution for Instagram. It remains only to publish it. The quality will not be lost.
