How to get instagram on macbook
How to Get an Instagram App for Desktop (Mac or PC) - Blog
With more than 2 billion monthly users, Instagram is undeniably one of the top social media platforms. It was created for and still mostly exists as a mobile app. But that doesn’t mean you can’t access Instagram on your computer, whether it’s a PC or Mac.
But before you start searching your app store, it’s important to note that there are various ways to get Instagram on a PC. There’s the desktop app and the online version for PC users, each with similar functionalities. The Mac version is mobile-only, leaving you with only the website as an option. In the App Store, you'll be told that the Instagram app is only available for iPhone.
The good news is, you likely have everything you need to view your Instagram feed on your desktop, whether you use a PC or Mac. Simply open your favorite web browser and go to Instagram.com. But if you visit Instagram often, the desktop app might be a better option for PC users, and there’s a better desktop option for both PC and Mac.
Here’s what you need to know about the updated desktop capabilities for Instagram, as well as what you should know about its limitations.
Related Post: A Guide to Instagram's Latest Releases and What's to Come
Why Install Instagram on Your Desktop
You probably think of Instagram as a mobile app. In fact, when it was first released in 2010, it was exclusive to Apple’s mobile operating system. Android users couldn’t even join in on the fun until 2012, when a version for those mobile devices launched.
Instagram makes sense as a mobile app. You can snap photos and upload them with minimal extra effort. Chances are, you aren’t taking photos with your desktop or laptop computer. But even Instagram recognized that desktop users wanted access, too.
Instagram is still primarily a mobile app, but you’ve long been able to get to it by opening a web browser and typing in Instagram.com. There, you’ll be able to scroll your feed, follow other users, and comment.
Until recently, you could not post photos or videos from your desktop. You had to use your mobile device for that functionality.
As of late last year, though, that’s changed. Instagram finally rolled out an update that lets you post photos and videos of up to one minute in length to your feed. When you go to the web version of Instagram now, you’ll see a Plus sign on the upper-right side of your screen. Click on that and drag your photos or videos over to share them.
The desktop version of Instagram is especially beneficial to business users who need to manage multiple feeds throughout the day. Instead of having to grab a mobile device to add content, you can do everything from your desktop. Content managers may find this easier to handle since they can work while looking at their editorial calendars and Trello boards.
The Problem with the Instagram Desktop App
The biggest problem with the Instagram desktop app might just very well be that Mac users can’t download it.
But the online version is easy enough to use, as long as you know how to find it.
What if you manage more than one account? Instagram lets each user have up to five accounts, which comes in handy if you run a business or manage marketing operations for multiple clients. But keeping track of those multiple accounts can be tricky. On the mobile app, you probably already know that you have to switch accounts to move between them.
As with the mobile app, you can easily move between accounts on the desktop by clicking on your profile picture in the upper-right corner. Simply click on the account you want to switch to, and switch back when you’re finished. This works fine unless you’re trying to drag the same photos or videos into multiple accounts. At that point, all that toggling between accounts can be cumbersome.
The good news is, the one issue that was once the biggest downside of the web version has been fixed. You can now easily post photos and videos to your Instagram feed directly from your desktop.
This provides a bigger incentive than ever to use a desktop version.
Related Post: How to Manage Multiple Instagram Accounts on Desktop
How to Get Instagram on Your PC
If you own a PC, you have options. You can download the Instagram app by going to the Microsoft Store and typing Instagram into the search box. Click Get and, once installed, click Launch to open it. If you’d prefer not to download the app, you can simply go to Instagram.com in your web browser. You can even set it as a bookmark and have it in your bookmarks toolbar in Google Chrome. This means you can always get to it with a click.
Another option is to set the website up as a shortcut. Google Chrome makes this easy. When you’re on Instagram, click the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner. Choose Tools-More tools-Create shortcut. Name your shortcut, and you’re done. You can then right-click on the shortcut and choose Pin to taskbar if you want it docked at the bottom where you can easily get to it.
But all of these options come with one simple problem. If you manage multiple Instagram accounts, toggling back and forth takes time and extra effort. For that, Shift can be a far better option. Thanks to the Shift + Instagram integration, you can set up separate icons for each of your Instagram accounts and keep them all logged in at the same time. You can also set up icons for each of your logins on your other favorite apps to operate alongside your Instagram logins.
Whether you’re managing content for multiple clients or you’re merely trying to operate personal and business accounts together, Shift can make it easier. You can quickly upload content to each account or check your notifications with just one click. This not only speeds things up, but it also can reduce confusion and possibly help keep you from making mistakes.
How to Get Instagram on Your Mac
There may not be a desktop app for Mac, but you can still take advantage of Shift’s solution. Shift is available for both Windows and Mac and lets you set up an icon for Instagram, along with your other favorite apps.
This is likely the best option if you have more than one Instagram account since you can move between them easily.
Another option is to use the web version of Instagram. You can even set up a shortcut to make it easy to get to as needed throughout the day. For Chrome, follow these steps:
- Click on the vertical dots in the upper-right corner of your browser
- Choose More tools and Create shortcut
- Name your shortcut
- Your new shortcut will save into a Chrome Apps folder, at which point you can drag it to your desktop or to your dock at the bottom of the screen
If Safari is your Mac browser of choice, follow these steps to save Instagram as a desktop shortcut:
- Highlight the Instagram.com URL
- Shrink your browser window slightly until part of your desktop is visible
- Drag the highlighted URL to your desktop
One final option that some Mac users find worthwhile is to install an Android emulator on your Mac.
You can then interact with Instagram as you would on an Android device. If you have other Android apps you want to access this way, it could be a solution. Otherwise, Shift is likely a better option that makes life easier across all your most-used apps.
Managing Instagram Notifications on Desktop
What if you want a desktop alert every time there’s activity on your Instagram account? On your mobile devices, you can manage your settings, and the same applies to your PC, as long as you’ve downloaded the app. Simply go to Start-Settings-System and select Notifications to expand it. You’ll then find Instagram on the list. Toggle to turn notifications on or off.
But Mac users, or PC users who prefer to use the web version of Instagram, are stuck with notifications in the app only. This isn’t much help if you don’t hang out on Instagram all day. Fortunately, Chrome has a feature that will notify you of new activities on websites you choose, based on your preferences. To manage your Chrome notifications:
- Click on the vertical dots and go to Settings
- Click on the icon in the upper-left corner and choose Security and privacy-Site settings-Notifications
- Scroll down to Instagram on the list
- Click on the vertical dots next to Instagram and choose Allow
- If you want to stop notifications, come back to this list, scroll down to Instagram, and right-click on the vertical dots to choose Remove
If you opted for Shift to manage your Instagram desktop accounts, notifications are much easier.
In fact, you can manage alerts for all your favorite apps in one place. Best of all, Shift gives you control over three types of alerts for all your connected apps:
- Badges: These are the numbers you see next to your icons when you’re in an app like Instagram. You’ll also see these badges on the Shift icon when you’ve docked it or set it as a shortcut.
- Desktop notifications: This refers to the small boxes that pop up on your screen to alert you that you have new activity on one of your accounts.
- Notification sounds: You’ll need to allow this on your device, too, but these audible alerts can help if you don’t happen to be looking at your screen when an alert comes through.
You manage these notifications by clicking on Options in the bottom-right corner of your Shift desktop. Then choose Settings-Apps-Installed Apps to manage badges and sounds. To change desktop notifications, go to Options-Settings-General-Functionality.
With the latter, you can easily turn all notifications off or on with one click.
Related Post: How to Combine All of Your Messaging Apps in One Place
Instagram for Desktop Fact and Fiction
Q: Can I schedule my Instagram posts in advance?
A: Fact and fiction. Instagram doesn’t have this feature built in, but there are third-party apps that will let you prepare posts in advance and have them deploy at a predetermined time. Later and SocialBee can both help you schedule posts for Instagram, as well as other social media platforms.
Q: Can I rely solely on the desktop app for all my Instagram activities?
A: Fiction. Chances are, you’ll still find the mobile app easier to use. The web version also still has limited photo-editing capabilities. You can zoom in and out on the photo, but you won’t have the filters and cropping features you get with your mobile device.
Q: Can people see where I live by my Instagram posts?
A: Fiction.
While Instagram can tag your location in your posts, this feature is off by default. You can easily turn it on, but it isn’t recommended.
Q: Will Instagram penalize me for posting too often or using the same hashtags?
A: Fiction. Instagram has debunked the shadowbanning theory that’s been bouncing around for a while. The platform doesn’t hide posts from users who post too often or use the same hashtags, so post away.
Q: Does Instagram hide business posts?
Fiction: A rumor has long circulated among professional users that Instagram hides marketing posts to encourage businesses to pay for ads. This came about soon after Instagram switched from showing all of the latest posts in chronological order. The new order seemed random, but there’s a reason for the switch. Instagram shows users posts based on their interests. This comes from previous interactions on the platform. That means if your followers haven’t previously interacted with your posts, or posts similar to yours, they likely won’t see yours, either.
Manage Your Desktop Instagram Account with Ease
While you likely always have your smartphone handy, being able to interact with Instagram on your desktop can save time. Although the Instagram desktop app and website have more functionality than before, Shift is the easiest way to run Instagram, especially if you have more than one account. Visit Shift’s integrations page to take a look at all the apps you can use with Shift and download the app for free.
Instagram on the App Store
iPhone Screenshots
Description
Bringing you closer to the people and things you love. — Instagram from Meta
Connect with friends, share what you’re up to, or see what's new from others all over the world. Explore our community where you can feel free to be yourself and share everything from your daily moments to life's highlights.
Express Yourself and Connect With Friends
* Add photos and videos to your story that disappear after 24 hours, and bring them to life with fun creative tools.
* Message your friends with Messenger. Share and connect over what you see on Feed and Stories.
* Create and discover short, entertaining videos on Instagram with Reels.
* Post photos and videos to your feed that you want to show on your profile.
Learn More About Your Interests
* Watch videos from your favorite Creators and discover new content through Instagram Video and Reels.
* Get inspired by photos and videos from new accounts in Explore.
* Discover brands and small businesses, and shop products that are relevant to your personal style.
Some Instagram features may not be available in your country or region.
Terms of Service - https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870
Version 257.0
The latest version contains bug fixes and performance improvements.
Ratings and Reviews
23.8M Ratings
Lack of transparency
I am a single mom and struggling owner of a small business and Instagram continues to freeze my Instagram business account and not let me follow new potential customers even though I always chose the “tell us” if we made a mistake option. Things are not transparent and I have no idea of when I can and cannot follow new potential customers, send them messages or how many I am allowed to contact or send messages to. I don’t have a problem with rules and regulations but I just wish it was written somewhere so I would know and not have my small business affected tremendously every time I get blocked from my own account. I cannot find these rules written anywhere on Instagram terms and conditions. I think it is very sad that Instagram does not have a security system in place to check that I am the one using the account and therefore, not limit my chances to reach new potential customers who are willingly choosing to follow my small business page.
I hope this issue can be improved ASAP by instagram so my business can have a fair chance to grow its number of followers. Why not charge a small fee to give me a fair chance so I can reach unlimited number of new followers who own “public” accounts. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Stay safe.
Frustrating New Update
The new update design is extremely frustrating for many reasons. First is the lack of originality: if I wanted to use tiktok, I would open tiktok. Second is the all black “immersive” display. I find it rather distracting to have the screen try to morph and fit all the many shapes of photo ratios & videos but all it does it create either unnecessary clutter on the screen or large dead spaces. There is also no way to access the stories anymore unless you are at the top of your feed or come across one of the “breaks” where they are offered.
Also, I prefer my phone in light mode as it is easier for me to read.
With the new update, you can only read captions in white font overlayed on the post *after* clicking on them. I miss the continuous scroll feature and I miss how much easier the captions were to read on white. There’s also NO continuity between the black feed page and the rest of the pages which are still in white mode - it’s simply ugly. Finally, by removing the continuous scroll feature, it’s affected how videos play- they begin before I get to them and I do not have the ability to mute them anymore (which is very frustrating!).
I understand this was a rather long review, but I wanted to make my frustrations known in the hopes they will be legitimately considered. I’m disappointed in this update and in Instagram. I’ve found myself using Instagram less and less and I have a feeling that will remain the same if the update is permanent.
Love Instagram but…
I’ve been blessed with a black and white information bar that says couldn’t refresh feed for almost a week now and it is really frustrating and annoying and more stress I don’t need added onto my life right now.
I’ve tried to uninstall the app and reinstalled it, logged back in, and it does the exact same thing pops the couldn’t refresh feed bar and keeps popping up until the current video has been completely loaded than it will go away. I’ve checked to see if the app is up to date and it is 100% up to date, I’ve checked my iPhone’s iOS system thinking that could be the culprit because it has been before in the past with other apps that acted up when it wasn’t up to date, but my iOS system is up to date. I’ve read it could be a poor internet or WiFi connection and that’s not true because my connection signal is pretty strong as I’m in the next room over from where the WiFi box is located and I receive a strong signal so it isn’t our WiFi connection. This is really frustrating and irritating and annoyance to me that it makes me so stressed out every time I go on Instagram and see that information bar there when it wasn’t there last month only recently. Please Instagram for the love of god fix this issue!! I’ve done everything I could on my end to fix it and nothing has changed.
This is a bug on your end and it needs to be fixed pronto!
The developer, Instagram, Inc., indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy.
Data Used to Track You
The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:
- Contact Info
- Identifiers
- Other Data
Data Linked to You
The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:
- Health & Fitness
- Purchases
- Financial Info
- Location
- Contact Info
- Contacts
- User Content
- Search History
- Browsing History
- Identifiers
- Usage Data
- Sensitive Info
- Diagnostics
- Other Data
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age.
Learn More
Information
- Seller
- Instagram, Inc.
- Size
- 234.8 MB
- Category
- Photo & Video
- Age Rating
- 12+ Infrequent/Mild Profanity or Crude Humor Infrequent/Mild Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drug Use or References Infrequent/Mild Mature/Suggestive Themes Infrequent/Mild Sexual Content and Nudity
- Copyright
- © 2018 Instagram, LLC.
- Price
- Free
- Developer Website
- App Support
- Privacy Policy
More By This Developer
You Might Also Like
How to use Instagram on Mac
Now Instagram can no longer be called just a platform for uploading photos and you can see it.
Instagram is a whole ecosystem with great functionality and various business tools. In this regard, one big question is brewing: is it possible to use Instagram on a computer? Upload all your photos through your Mac, share different content, all from the comfort of your desk. Today we will try to figure out whether Instagram on a computer can replace your familiar application on the iPhone. Looking ahead, I want to say that everything is very good.
Using Instagram on Mac is more convenient than you might think.
I must say right away that I use Instagram from my computer as often as I use the app on my iPhone. Can't say I have any problems with it. Everything works smoothly, podlagivanie minimum. If earlier, when I went to Instagram on Mac , I experienced pain and suffering, now everything is more than fine.
Did you know? Top 5 questions about Instagram
Can I use Instagram on my Mac
Years of using Instagram has shown that the most convenient way to use Instagram on a computer is through Safari.
Yes, this is not the only way, but the most working one. What’s more, you don’t need to download anything.
To open Instagram on a Mac , follow the simple instructions:
- Open any browser on your Mac.
- Go to the official website of Instagram.
- Enter your account information and log in to your account.
- After that, click on the Save data button so as not to re-enter them.
Interestingly, Instagram offers to download the app from the App Store, but there is no official app for Mac.
This is what the Instagram feed looks like if you go here through a browser.
Done. Now you can use Instagram directly from your computer. I think that you will understand the interface without problems. It almost completely copies the application familiar to all of us on the iPhone.
Out of features available on Instagram on Mac , I will note the following:
- The ability to publish photos and videos.
- Direct messages in full.
- Likes summary as in mobile application.
- Personalized recommendations.
- Switching between accounts.
There are two shortcomings that I managed to find here. The first is that in the web version of Instagram cannot post Stories. This will hardly seem like a minus to you, especially considering that stories are usually filmed at a fast pace.
Second, photos may not look as beautiful as you are used to seeing them on a smartphone. This is due to the low resolution of the photo. If it seems to you that SLR cameras have long outlived their usefulness, then here is proof that this is not so.
How to post photos to Instagram from a Mac computer
Literally at the end of 2021, a new feature appeared on Instagram that allows you to post photos directly from your computer. Users for some reason did not appreciate the innovation. I've been using it happily for a few months now.
To post a photo to Instagram from a Mac, you need:
This is what the video editing tools look like on the desktop version of Instagram.
In terms of functionality, there is also a complete order here. I posted a few photos on my profile and there were no problems. Use boldly.
You may ask me: why upload photos from a computer? I have a simple answer to this: after any photo session, the photographer usually uploads pictures to the cloud. From an iPhone, digging into the cloud is such a thing, which is why the desktop version is usually used for these purposes. Although many of my colleagues do not think so. Author AppleInsider.ru Alexander Bogdanov, for example, is an excellent user of Yandex.Disk and knows no grief.
Subscribe to us in Yandex.Zen, where you will find a lot of useful and interesting information from the world of Apple.
Instagram on macOS
Another way to use Instagram on Mac is the Grids app.
I tested it back on macOS Big Sur. It was paid in the App Store, so I downloaded it in a not the most honest way. I remember then it seemed to me very laguchy and I had to leave it until better times.
My experience with Grids has been extremely negative.
Download Grids
I recently decided to go to Grids on Monterey. Congratulations, now the application has become shareware. Anyone can download it. But I immediately warn you: the interface here is not at all the one you are used to in a smartphone.
Plus, a huge number of features are available only in the paid version:
- Uploading photos and videos, Stories, Reels to your account.
- View the feed like on a smartphone (without a subscription, everything is in the form of tiles).
- Access to Direct, IGTV, bookmarks, like summary and other settings.
If you are going to use the software, you should immediately buy the paid version. Otherwise, you simply won't be able to use it properly.
In the comments, users note the almost complete functionality of the application on the iPhone and a lot of lags.
Instagram introduces a paid subscription for users. What does it mean?
It is difficult to recommend something from other applications. In my personal experience, they are all about the same and repeat each other. Previously If you have something in mind, be sure to write to our Telegram chat or in the comments below, I will update the post.
macOS MontereyApp Reviews for iOS and MacApple Tips
How to Upload Photos and Videos to Instagram from a Mac or Windows Computer
So far, Instagram developers are ignoring the launch of the official multifunctional client for macOS and Windows, with which you could edit and upload your favorite photos and videos to a well-known network, third-party developers and enthusiasts will use every opportunity to create workarounds. Today we will talk about several ways to add photos to Instagram from any computer.
♥ BY TOPIC: How to properly unfollow a person on Instagram so that they don’t find out (so as not to offend).
How to download Instagram on a computer
Unfortunately, at the moment there is no official Instagram client for computers, but this does not mean that the service cannot be used on Windows and Mac.
♥ BY TOPIC: The most followed people on Instagram are the 35 accounts with the most followers.
How to view photos and videos on Instagram using Safari, Google Chrome, Yandex Browser, Mozilla Firefox and Opera
photos and videos, stories (stories), profile information, leave comments, etc. on any computer.
♥ BY TOPIC: How to see when a user is logged into Instagram and how to turn it off.
How to upload photos and videos to Instagram for free on a computer using the Safari browser on Mac (macOS)
Almost all modern desktop browsers provide the ability to change the option "User Agent" - an application that tells the site which device used.
That is, even if you are working on a laptop or a desktop computer, you can make the site “think” that it is a smartphone and show a mobile version. This is what we are to do.
In the case of Apple's browser, everything is quite simple. Go to Safari → Settings → Add-ons and tick the option " Show menu " Development " in menu bar ".
♥ RELATED: How to open the Develop menu (developer console) in Safari on Mac and what it is for.
Next, open a new window. Select Development → User agent → Safari – iPhone and go to Instagram.com.
Log into your account and click on the " + " button at the bottom of the screen.
Now you can easily upload images to Instagram directly from your computer.
♥ RELATED: Masks and effects on Instagram photos and videos: how to enable and add new ones.
How to upload photos and videos to Instagram on a Windows or Mac computer using Google Chrome, Yandex.Browser, Opera or Firefox
The method for Google Chrome, Yandex.Browser, Opera or Firefox is identical to the above and is also based on using the mobile web version of the social network Instagram.
In Google Chrome
Click on the icon with three vertical dots in the upper right corner of Google Chrome and follow the path: Additional tools → Developer tools .
Click the icon to enable the display of web pages in the mobile version.
Reload the page and upload photos or videos to Instagram by clicking the "+" button in the bottom bar.
In Yandex Browser
Click on the icon with three vertical lines in the upper right corner of Yandex Browser and follow the path: Advanced → Additional tools → Developer tools .
Click the icon to enable the display of web pages in the mobile version.
Reload the page and upload photos or videos to Instagram by clicking the "+" button in the bottom bar.
In the Opera browser
Open the menu Developer → Developer Tools.
Click the icon to enable the display of web pages in the mobile version.
Reload the page and upload photos or videos to Instagram by clicking the "+" button in the bottom bar.
In Firefox browser
Click on the icon with three vertical lines in the upper right corner of the Firefox browser and navigate to the path: Web development → Responsive design .
Select iPhone from the mobile selection menu. Reload the page and upload photos or videos to Instagram by clicking the "+" button in the bottom bar.
♥ RELATED: How to create albums from Instagram photos or videos.
Programs for uploading photos and videos to Instagram from a computer , process pictures on desktop computers and only then publish to Instagram.
In this case, you have to upload processed images from a computer to a mobile device (for example, via AirDrop or email) - a very troublesome task. We will talk about the most popular applications that allow you to upload photos and videos to Instagram from a computer below. ♥ RELATED: How to set up (enable / disable) any notifications on Instagram.
How to upload photos to Instagram from a Windows or Mac computer using the Windowed app
Once upon a time, a young photographer and developer found out that Instagram cannot upload photos from a computer. He got upset and decided to fix the problem. This is how the Windowed application was born, which is a web application disguised as a mobile browser that supports the interface of the mobile browser version of Instagram.
Windowed allows you to do everything on Instagram that you can do in the browser versions described earlier.
What about security? The developer assures that all important information from the user, including login and password, goes through Instagram, and he does not have access to them.
Anyone who is willing (and able) can check his words at any time - the code is posted on GitHub.
Another useful feature of Windowed is support for up to five different Instagram accounts. Quick switching between them is carried out by pressing the button Profile at the top of the screen.
Helpful Tip: if your Mac does not open Windowed and says "The application cannot be opened because the developer could not be verified" or "The program cannot be opened because its author is an unidentified developer" . follow the steps in this manual.
Free Download Windowed for Windows and Mac .
♥ RELATED: Instagram blue checkmark: how to get verified status on Instagram. How to upload photos and videos to Instagram from a Mac or Windows computer using the Uplet application you need to upload a photo or video from your computer to the Instagram feed with a minimum number of settings.
After starting the program, you must go through the standard authorization procedure in the account. And here you can observe the first drawback of the client - the lack of support for working with multiple accounts, which, by the way, is available in mobile clients. The function would be relevant for those who promote two or more accounts or several family members work in one Mac account. Next, a super-minimalistic window appears, prompting you to add images to upload. You can do this by clicking on the button and selecting files in the explorer, but a much more convenient way would be to simply drag and drop (Drag-and-drop) photos into the Uplet window. By pressing the button " Send all ” you will immediately send the content to the network, but there is an opportunity to pre-perform several relevant actions available in the button “Add signature” . Here you can choose a square or leave the original size of the image (for all at the same time or for each separately).
The photo can only be tiled over the entire width of the square, and then move the image left and right. But you can’t zoom in on the image and select a specific area (it would be relevant for high-resolution photos).
Before sending, it remains to add comments, hashtags and emoticons (through the built-in tools of the operating system). After pressing " Share all " we wait for the end of the publishing process and notification from Uplet. Uploading to the network takes some time, of course, not comparable in speed with the regular Instagram client for iOS.
Uplet is purely a tool for uploading images and videos. You cannot edit or delete images that have already been posted. Support for multiple accounts is present. The main disadvantage of the application is its cost. At the same time, a demo version of the application is available on the site, which allows you to make 5 downloads.
Download Uplet for Windows and Mac
Related video: Instagram Secrets: 35 tricks you might not know
How to see when a user is logged into Instagram and how to turn it off. 
