How to upload a picture on instagram from mac


Here's how to post to Instagram on Mac and PC

Michael Potuck

- Jun. 24th 2021 8:11 am PT

@michaelpotuck

After we got a sneak peek at the feature last month, Instagram has quietly rolled out the option to create and publish posts from its website on desktop (but not on iPad). The new functionality includes the ability to use filters and edit photos and videos as well. Check out a closer look below including how to post to Instagram on Mac and PC.

Spotted by Matt Navarra, the new feature is live on Instagram’s website and we are seeing the functionality available here at 9to5Mac as well. It’s unclear how widely available the new feature is but it is rolling out now for Mac and PC.

If the feature is available for you, you’ll see a new pop-up alert at the top of your screen on the Instagram homepage after logging in that says: “Now you can create and share posts directly from your computer.”

How to post to Instagram on Mac and PC

  • Click the new + icon in the top right corner to get started (next to the Messenger icon)
  • Follow the prompts to upload your photos or videos (drag and drop or “Select From Computer”)
  • Choose your size/format
  • Pick your filter and/or edit (tab at the top)
  • Add your caption/location, and more
  • Choose Share

Almost hilariously, Instagram continues to ignore iPad. We tried to access the new desktop feature on iPad by requesting Instagram’s desktop site in Safari and the ability to post is not available for now.

Here’s a closer look at the desktop UI:

NEW! @Instagram lets you create + publish posts via desktop! pic.twitter.com/JWzwKg1kyO

— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) June 24, 2021

More screenshots of creating + publishing posts via https://t.co/3QaHTLlqBE pic.twitter.com/G5mptOhN06

— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) June 24, 2021

Other recent Instagram changes include the platform testing Suggested Posts in users’ main feed, the ability to hide like counts, and the Live feature gaining options for muting and disabling video:

  • Instagram for iOS testing feature that puts ‘Suggested Posts’ in your main feed
  • Instagram and Facebook officially launch ability to hide like counts, here’s how it works
  • Instagram Live adding new options for muting and disabling video

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About the Author

Michael Potuck

@michaelpotuck

Michael is an editor for 9to5Mac. Since joining in 2016 he has written more than 3,000 articles including breaking news, reviews, and detailed comparisons and tutorials.

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How to post on Instagram from Mac, with and without apps

You’ve got to give Instagram credit for staying the course. They have always been dedicated to being an app exclusively for mobile devices. Photographers who shoot with cameras have always been at a disadvantage — having to use an array of workarounds to edit photos on their computers before sharing them to a mobile device. 

One of those workarounds involves sharing your photos to Instagram from your Mac. Unfortunately, it’s not as straightforward as using the mobile app, but once you get the steps down, it almost becomes second nature. 

Is there an Instagram app for Mac?

There is not an Instagram app for posting photos to Instagram from your Mac. You can, however, go to Instagram.com on any computer and log in to your account to view and comment on photos. Uploading photos is another story altogether.

How to post on Instagram from Mac using your browser

Depending on which browser you use on your Mac, the technique for uploading photos to Instagram will be slightly different. In this article, we’ll provide instructions for using the two most popular Mac browsers: Safari and Google Chrome.

How to post to Instagram from Mac using Safari

If Safari is your browser of choice, you can use it to upload a photo to Instagram using developer tools, which will allow you to view Instagram exactly as if you were using the mobile app on your phone:

  1. Open Safari on your Mac.
  2. From the top menu, choose Safari > Preferences.
  3. Choose Advanced from the menu tabs at the top of the window.
  4. Check the box next to “Show Develop menu in menu bar.” 
  5. Now go to Instagram.com in Safari.  
  6. From the top menu, click on Develop > User Agent > Safari > iOS (current version) > iPhone.
  7. You should see Instagram exactly as it would appear on your iPhone.
  8. To upload a photo, tap the + icon at the bottom of the screen, just like you would on the mobile Instagram app. This will open your files on your Mac so you can choose a photo to add.
  9. The rest of the process works just like it does within the Instagram app. The only limitations are that you can’t add videos or gallery posts, just single photos. 

How to upload to Instagram from Mac with Google Chrome

If you’re using the Chrome browser with your Mac, there’s an equally easy way to upload your photos to Instagram on your computer:

  1. Open a tab in Google Chrome.
  2. Click on the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner and click on More Tools.
  3. Click on Developer Tools.
  4. Developer Tools will open on the right side of your screen. You will see a phone/tablet icon in the upper-left corner of the Developer Tools Screen. Toggle this icon so you see the mobile view in your main window.
  5. If you don’t see the + icon at the bottom of the screen, click on the refresh button, and it should appear.
  6. When you click on the + icon, a window will appear with your Mac files. Choose the photo you want to upload and proceed as you normally would to upload your photo.  

Post to Instagram from Mac using third-party apps

Using Developer Tools in Chrome and the Develop menu in Safari is relatively straightforward, but it does require a few extra steps. If you want to set something up that you can use over and over again without any hassle, consider using a third-party app for Instagram. 

Two Instagram posting apps stand out for their ease of use and beautiful interface — Flume and PhotoDesk. Here’s how to post to Instagram using both of them. 

How to post to Instagram from Mac using Flume

Flume makes it possible to navigate Instagram from your Mac and includes the ability to like and comment on photos, follow and unfollow accounts, and direct message accounts. In order to use the upload feature, you will have to purchase the premium version of the app. 

Here’s how to use Flume to upload a post to Instagram from your Mac:

  1. Get the premium version of Flume on your Mac.
  2. A window will appear with your Instagram feed.
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the window and click on the camera icon.
  4. A separate window will appear. You can drag a photo or video from your Mac into this window, or you can click on the camera icon to open your files and choose a photo.
  5. Once you’ve loaded your photo, you can type a caption, add hashtags, and tag accounts. You can also use Instagram’s native filters and edit screen before uploading your photo.
  6. When you are finished creating your post, click the Post button to upload it to Instagram.

How to upload to Instagram from Mac with PhotoDesk

PhotoDesk is another feature-packed app that is perfect for doing all of your Instagram tasks from the comfort of your Mac. It even provides detailed statistics so you can see how your posts are doing within the app. You can start by accessing a free trial, but after that, you’ll have to purchase the premium version. 

Here’s how to upload to Instagram using PhotoDesk. 

  1. Download PhotoDesk and open the app on your Mac.
  2. At the bottom of your dashboard, you’ll see your username with a camera icon next to it. Click on the camera icon.
  3. Choose a photo from your files and click Open a New Image.
  4. A new window will appear with a variety of editing tools. These are similar but not identical to Instagram’s editing tools. 
  5. When you’re finished editing your photo, click Post to go to the next screen.
  6. Now you can add your caption and hashtags.
  7. When you’re finished, click Export to save your photo to Instagram.

Whether you choose to upload photos to Instagram using your browser or a third-party app will depend on the features you want to use. If you’re using a browser, you will have limited functionality and won’t be able to post videos or gallery posts. Using one of the apps mentioned above will give you more features,  but, of course, you’ll have to pay for them. While neither method is perfect, they’ll have to do until Instagram adds the ability to upload from its web browser or develops an app just for Mac users. 

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Tara Schatz

Travel writer. Photographer. Lover of dogs and the outdoors.

How to upload photos and videos to Instagram from a Mac or Windows computer

While Instagram developers are ignoring the launch of the official multi-functional 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. nine0003

Apple in Telegram and YouTube. Subscribe!

♥ BY TOPIC: How to unfollow a person on Instagram so that they don’t find out (so as not to offend). 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. nine0003

♥ 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. nine0003

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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. nine0003

In the case of Apple's browser, everything is quite simple. Go to Safari Settings Add-ons and check the box next to 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. nine0010

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. nine0003

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 photos or videos on Instagram. nine0010

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. nine0003

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How to upload photos to Instagram from a Windows or Mac computer using the Windowed app

One day, 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. nine0003

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 Hint: if your Mac won't 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). nine0003

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. nine0003

Download Uplet for Windows and Mac

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    How to upload photos and videos to Instagram from Mac

    Instagram is one of the most widely used image sharing platforms in the world. The app has over 500 million monthly active users. Even though the Instagram app has been constantly improved to support more and more (sometimes copied) features, the web app has one distinct drawback over the years: you can't upload photos to Instagram from the website. So, if you've taken a few shots with your DSLR or want to show off your latest Lightroom project, Here's how you can post to Instagram from a Mac:

    1. InstaMaster

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    InstaMaster is a macOS app that allows you to easily upload photos and videos to Instagram without first transferring them to your iPhone or Android device. The app is currently free as part of a promotion and it works very well. nine0003

    • When you download and run the app, it asks you to sign in to Instagram with your username and password. Once you do that, the app will take you to the home screen. It's like the Instagram website running inside something like a WebView.
    • You can click on the download icon in the upper right corner of the application to open the download window.
    • Here you can drag and drop the photo or video you want to upload, or click the "Select photo / video" button and select the one you want to upload. You can then add a title and hashtags to your image, and even set it up for sharing with other social media platforms if you like. When you're done, just click the " Send " button and you're done. The photo or video will now be uploaded to Instagram.

    The app works very well and can easily serve as a standalone Instagram desktop app for you.

    Download InstaMaster ($4.99)

    2. Uplet

    Uplet is a Mac application that allows you to easily upload images to Instagram. The app doesn't try to be a full-fledged Instagram client, but simply uploads images from your Mac. The best part is that he does it well.

    • Easy to use app log into your Instagram account and then click the "+" icon to select the photo you want to upload to Instagram.
    • Enter signature , enable all hashtags and click share . The app will display a progress bar and soon your image will be posted to Instagram.

    That's all. You will be able to see the uploaded image on Instagram immediately. The app definitely works really well and is a great option for people who just want to upload photos to Instagram from a Mac. nine0003

    Download Uplet (Free demo up to 5 photos, $9.99)

    3. Gramblr

    Gramblr is another Mac app that allows you to upload images to Instagram. The app is quite different from other apps I have used. When you download Gramblr from their website and run the installed application, you will be taken to a web page in your browser.

    • First, you need to register to use itself Gramblr . After that, you will be taken to the Gramblr interface where you can manage your Instagram account. You can do things like upload images, schedule posts, and more.
    • To upload photos to Instagram, just click " Upload Now!" In the sidebar. Then drag and drop the image or video you want to upload.
    • Then you have to crop image by clicking and dragging on the image to draw a selection box on it. After that click " Save ".
    • Then just apply whatever filters you want and write the caption . When you're done with that, just click " Send ".

    Your photo will be uploaded to Instagram. You can even schedule posts using Gramblr. It's definitely a good app, although the design is a bit odd. However, the app works and it's completely free. nine0003

    Gramblr Download (Free)

    4. Piktoria

    Piktoria is a web service that you can use to schedule your Instagram posts right from your Mac. The site uses the Material Design language and looks (and works) really well. Using the web app is also very easy and you'll be connected right away.

    • When you open the website for the first time, you will need to sign up for your Instagram account . Once you have done this, you can enter the site.
    • You will see a list of accounts that you have linked to your Piktoria account, most likely you will only see Instagram. Click on your username, , to enter the Piktoria control panel.
    • Here you can do many things and track your activity along with a number of other Instagram factors. You can click " Post to Instagram " to schedule a post for your Instagram feed. (The trial version of the app only supports 20 messages).
    • Then you can click " Download Images" and select your image from the sources that the application supports. We will use " My Computer " as the source.
    • Select the image you want to upload to Instagram (or drag it into the box). Then you can enter caption and select the time you want to schedule the image. Then just click "Schedule" and your image will be uploaded at the scheduled time.

    That's all it takes to use Piktoria to upload photos to Instagram. A web application can do a lot more than just that, and probably works for the rest of its functionality as well.

    Visit the Piktora website (14-day free trial; plans start at $15/month)

    5. Push.Photo

    Push.Photo is a web service that allows you to upload images to Instagram. The service is not free and will cost you approximately $9.75–$24 depending on the plan you choose. However, they do have a 7-day free trial that you can use to see if the service is worth your money.

    • To upload images using Push.Photo, you first need to register on their website for free trial. Once you do this, you will be taken to the main interface of the web application. Here you will need to add your Instagram account.
    • Once you connect your Instagram account to the service, it will display your Instagram posts as well as the ability to upload more images from your computer or via the URL.
    • Once you click the button to upload an image to Instagram, you will be taken to a screen where you can add an image to upload. Just press the 9 button0019 Overview » and select the desired image. You can crop the image and add a caption. Select the time you want the image to upload at. Then click " Push " and your image will be posted to Instagram.

    The only downside to this service is that you can't post images at any arbitrary time . You will need to select the time according to the options in the drop down menu. However, if this is something you might be missing out on, this is a great app to use, especially if you need to manage multiple accounts as you can manage up to 10 accounts from a single dashboard using this app. nine0003

    Visit the Push.Photo website (Free trial for 7 days; plans start at $9.75 per month)

    Bonus:

    Use Android emulators to upload to Instagram from a Mac

    Also, you you can download android emulator and install instagram on it.


    Learn more