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How to post instagram stories from your computer


How to Post on Instagram from a PC or Mac (3 Methods)

Tired of posting on Instagram from your phone? Wondering how to post on Instagram from your PC or Mac instead?

You’ve come to the right place. Posting on Instagram from your desktop can save you time and offer more flexibility in what you can upload (such as edited videos and images).

And you can do it without having to upload them onto your phone first.

Below we’ve outlined three different ways to post on Instagram from your computer.

How to post on Instagram from your computer

Method 1: How to post on Instagram from your computer using Hootsuite

Method 2: How to post on Instagram from a PC or Mac

Method 3: How to post on Instagram from your computer using Creator Studio

How to post an Instagram Story from desktop

How to post an Instagram carousel post from desktop

How to edit an Instagram post from desktop

Bonus: Download a free checklist that reveals the exact steps a fitness influencer used to grow from 0 to 600,000+ followers on Instagram with no budget and no expensive gear.

How to post on Instagram from your computer

Below, you’ll find ways to post on Instagram from your PC or Mac. We’ll also show you how to post via Hootsuite which works on either operating system.

If you’re more of a visual learner, watch this video from our pals at Hootsuite Labs to see how easy it can be:

Method 1: How to post on Instagram from your computer using Hootsuite

You can schedule feed posts, Stories, carousel posts, and Instagram ads with Hootsuite.

The instructions below will walk you through the process of posting to your Instagram feed. We cover Instagram Stories and carousels a little further down in this article.

To post on Instagram from a PC or Mac using Hootsuite, follow these steps:

  1. Log into your Hootsuite dashboard. If you don’t have an account yet, create one here for free.
  2. From your dashboard, click on the green New Post button at the top.
  3. The New Post window will appear. Under Post to, select the Instagram account where you want to post your content. If you haven’t added an account yet, you can do that by clicking +Add a social network in the box and following the directions.
  4. Drop the image or video you want to post to Instagram in the Media section. Enhance your image and/or video with the photo editor.
  5. Once you’re done, add your caption in the Text section as well as any hashtags you want to use. You also have the option to add a location at the bottom.
  6. When you’ve crafted your post, review it for any errors. Once you’re sure everything is good to post, click the Post Now button at the bottom. Alternatively, you can also Schedule for later if you want it to post at a different time.

For a quick summary of how to post on Instagram from Hootsuite, watch this video:

Voila! Posting photos and videos to Instagram from PC or Mac is that easy.

Method 2: How to post on Instagram from a PC or Mac

As 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:

  1. Go to the Instagram website (instagram.com) and sign in to your account.
  2. Click the plus symbol in the top right corner of the screen (it’s the same button you would use to create a post in the mobile app). A Create new post window will pop up.
  3. Drag photo or video files into the popup window, or click Select from computer to browse and pick files from your PC or Mac. If you want to create a carousel post, you can select up to 10 files.
  4. Click the frame icon in the bottom left corner of the popup to change the ratio of your image or video. You can also use the zoom feature (looking glass icon in the bottom left) and drag your file to edit your frame. When you’re done, click Next in the top right corner.
  5. Edit your image. You can select one of 12 preset effects in the Filters tab or go to the Adjustments tab and manually adjust specs such as brightness, contrast and fade. Click Next.
  6. Write your caption. Click on the smiley face icon to browse and pick emojis. You can also type in a location in the Add location bar, restrict commenting in Advanced settings and add alt text to your files in the Accessibility section.
  7. Click Share.

And that’s it! 

At the moment, only feed posts can be created and published directly from Instagram on desktop. Keep reading to find out how to post Instagram Stories from a PC or Mac computer.

Method 3: How to post on Instagram from your computer using Creator Studio

If Instagram is your social network of choice and you don’t mind not having all your social networks in one dashboard, Creator Studio could be a good option for you.

Note that when using Creator Studio, you can post and schedule all types of posts other than Instagram Stories.

How to post on Instagram using Creator Studio:

  1. Make sure you are connected to Instagram in Creator Studio.
  2. Navigate to the Instagram section.
  3. Click Create Post.
  4. Click Instagram Feed.
  5. Choose the account you want to post to (if you have more than one Instagram account connected).
  6. Add a caption and a location (optional).
  7. Click Add Content to add photos or videos.
  8. Next, choose between these 2 options:
    • Click From File Upload to upload new content.
    • Click From Facebook Page to post content that you’ve already shared on your Facebook.
  9. (Optional) If you want to simultaneously post this content to the Facebook Page connected to your Instagram account, check the box next to your Page under Post to Facebook. You can add additional details to your Facebook post after you publish to Instagram.
  10. Click Publish.

How to post an Instagram Story from desktop

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:

  1. Go to Instagram.com.
  2. Go to developer mode on either Safari or Google Chrome (see Mac and PC sections above for detailed steps).
  3. Click on the camera in the top left.
  4. Choose an image or video you’d like to add to your story. Edit it with text, stickers, filters, gifs, or whatever else.
  5. Tap Add to your story at the bottom.

You’re done! It’s practically the same steps as if you were using the Instagram app on a mobile device.

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How to post an Instagram carousel post from desktop

With Hootsuite, you can also create and easily publish carousel posts (with up to 10 images or videos) directly to Instagram. Here’s how.

1. Go to Planner and tap New post to launch Compose.

2. Select the Instagram account you want to publish to.

3. Include your caption in the Text box.

4. Go to Media and tap Select files to upload. Select all the images you want to include in your carousel. All selected images should appear under Media.

5. Use the yellow Schedule button to select a date and time to publish your post.

6. Tap Schedule. The post will show up in your Planner at the time you have scheduled it for.

That’s it! Your post will go live on the date and time you selected.

How to edit an Instagram post from desktop

Hootsuite 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:

  1. Log into your Hootsuite dashboard. If you don’t have an account yet, get your free 30-day trial here (no pressure to pay, you can cancel anytime).
  2. From your dashboard, click on the green New Post button at the top.
  3. The New Post window will appear. Under Post to, select the Instagram account where you want to post your content. If you haven’t added an account yet, you can do that by clicking +Add a social network in the box and following the directions.
  4. Drop the images and/or videos you want to post to Instagram in the Media section
  5. To edit, click on Edit Image below the Media section. This brings up Hootsuite Composer’s edit tool. It allows you to customize the aspect ratio of your image to fit practically any social media platform’s image metrics. From the sidebar, you also have the ability to add filters, adjust lighting and focus, add text and stickers, and use the brush too.
  6. Once you’re finished click Save.
  7. Add your caption, hashtags, and location. Then click Post Now. 

Voila! You just edited your image from your desktop.

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How To Post an Instagram Story from Your Computer

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.

Switch User-Agent in Your Browser

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.

Chrome

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.

  1. Once the Developer’s console appears, look at the icons on the top right of the screen. 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.


  2. Login to your Instagram account if needed.

  3. Click on your story at the top of your device bar and you’ll immediately be taken to your computer files.

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.

Can You Do It Using Safari?

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:

  1. To switch the User-Agent, you need to enable the Develop menu first. Head over to Safari Preferences, select Advanced, and tick Show Develop menu in the menu bar.


  2. Click on Develop, select User-Agent, and tick Safari iOS – 11. 3 – iphone(Safari iOS – 11,3 – iPod touch works as well)

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

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

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.

Bluestacks

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

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

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.

Hit the Like Button

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.

Post Instagram Stories from your computer

You are probably asking yourself: How do I post Instagram Stories from a desktop PC? - The solution you are looking for is called: Storrito.com

Storrito.

com - Instagram Story Editor for PC

Storrito allows you to create and share Instagram and Facebook stories from your desktop PC or Mac. So you can plan your stories in advance without leaving your web browser. It allows:

  1. Upload photos or videos from desktop PC
  2. Edit your story online - you can add Instagram stickers, Gifs, photos, Emojis, text, etc.
  3. Schedule and automatically post your IG Stories (without any notification).

Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to add and automatically post your Instagram Stories from a web browser:

    Register with Storrito

    Storrito is a web application, so there is no need to download anything. It works in Chrome, Firefox and even Internet Explorer. You can simply register on Storrito.com using your Google account or email address and password.

    Connect your Instagram account.

    After the registration process, you need to connect your Instagram account to Storrito. First you need to verify your location. Then enter your Instagram username and password. Don't worry, the connection is secure. Click on "Save this connection" and you're done! 💪

    Upload images or videos to Instagram Story from your computer

    Now you can start uploading your photos and videos. You can simply drag and drop your creations into the gallery from your desktop. After uploading the files, click on the photo you want to post and in the pop-up window, you can either "post or schedule" the photo to your Instagram story directly, or click on "edit" to open the story editor.

    Use the storrito stories editor to add stickers

    in the RECEAL REMOUNTION you can add hashtags , Linke-styles , Locations , Polles and Return Cettlemate in your history. When you're done and have created the perfect story for your next post, click on " Save" in the top right corner to save your story template and move on to the next step.

    Now post your Instagram story from your computer

    After uploading and creating the story, the last step is to post the story to your Instagram account. To do this, click on the same story in the gallery tab and select "Post/Schedule", which will open the scheduling window. To post a story from a computer, follow these steps:

    1. Select the Instagram account you want to post the story to.
    2. If you also want to add her to your Facebook stories, click on the radio button below and Storrito will automatically cross-post your Facebook story.
    3. Finally, select "Publish Now" or if you want to schedule a post, simply select the date and time you want it to be posted.

Where can I see my scheduled stories?
Once the system displays the media, you can see the status of your story in the right column; you'll see a clock when it's scheduled, or a green checkmark when it's been successfully posted to your Instagram account.

Can I also post longer videos in my story?
Yes, you can - Storrito will automatically cut your video into 15 second pieces and place them one after the other.

Can you also schedule Facebook stories?
As mentioned above, you can also schedule Facebook stories. Storrito will automatically post the story to your Facebook page. If you have multiple Facebook pages connected, you will see all the pages in this view and you can select the one where the story will be published.

Get started with Storrito

Discover more:

Autopost Instagram Stories Upload videos to Instagram Story from your computer Upload Instagram videos from your computer How to schedule Instagram videos Schedule Facebook Stories from your computer Instagram Story Planner Schedule Instagram Stories

How to post stories on Instagram from a computer, add, upload and create stories (story) on a computer for Insta

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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 publication 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.

  • How to post stories on instagram from computer
  • How else to upload a story to Instagram through a computer and from a laptop
  • How to save Instagram story to computer
  • How to add Stories to Instagram from a computer without installing extensions
  • How to upload Instagram Stories from computer using SMMplanner

How to post Stories to Instagram from a computer

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:

  • Install the official Instagram program on your laptop. It runs on Windows and has all the features of the mobile version.
  • Download Google Chrome.

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.

How else to upload Instagram Story through a computer and from a laptop

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.

How to save an Instagram Story to a computer

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.

How to add Stories to Instagram from a computer without installing extensions

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.

How to upload Instagram Stories from a computer using SMMplanner

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

  • Crop. Several formats are presented, including for Story. Turn.
  • About thirty filters to improve photos.
  • Brightness, saturation, contrast, sharpness, exposure, shadows settings.
  • Foreground text. Four types of fonts, size correction, alignment, background color of the inscription and the letters themselves.
  • Stickers. Variety of stickers with hearts, hats, mustaches and so on.
  • Brush. With the help of a cursor of different thickness and shade, you can draw something on the picture.
  • Focus. Blur function.
  • Frames. The width and palette are also adjustable.

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.

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