How to use instagram from mac
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:
- Open Safari on your Mac.
- From the top menu, choose Safari > Preferences.
- Choose Advanced from the menu tabs at the top of the window.
- Check the box next to “Show Develop menu in menu bar.”
- Now go to Instagram.com in Safari.
- From the top menu, click on Develop > User Agent > Safari > iOS (current version) > iPhone.
- You should see Instagram exactly as it would appear on your iPhone.
- 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.
- 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:
- Open a tab in Google Chrome.
- Click on the three vertical dots in the upper-right corner and click on More Tools.
- Click on Developer Tools.
- 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.
- If you don’t see the + icon at the bottom of the screen, click on the refresh button, and it should appear.
- 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:
- Get the premium version of Flume on your Mac.
- A window will appear with your Instagram feed.
- Scroll to the bottom of the window and click on the camera icon.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Download PhotoDesk and open the app on your Mac.
- At the bottom of your dashboard, you’ll see your username with a camera icon next to it. Click on the camera icon.
- Choose a photo from your files and click Open a New Image.
- A new window will appear with a variety of editing tools. These are similar but not identical to Instagram’s editing tools.
- When you’re finished editing your photo, click Post to go to the next screen.
- Now you can add your caption and hashtags.
- 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.
This was about:
Tara Schatz
Travel writer. Photographer. Lover of dogs and the outdoors.
How to Use Instagram on Mac: Upload Photos & More
While social media platforms are generally available in just about every shape and size, Instagram has never fallen into that category. It was an iOS exclusive when it first launched in 2010, before heading to Android in 2012, and despite climbing to incredible heights of popularity since, the social network doesn’t have an official app for Mac.
But while there’s no official Instagram for Mac app, there is a way to not only scroll through your Instagram feed on your Mac, but upload photos and videos too.
Instagram Web
There may not be an official Instagram for Mac app – we’re still waiting for an iPad app! – but there is a way to access the popular social network from your Mac: Instagram Web.
The basic web app provides access to your main Instagram feed, allowing you to scroll, like and comment to your heart’s content, along with the ability to view Instagram Stories and, most recently, the ability to access Direct Messages.
These are all welcome additions, making Instagram Web a more viable way of accessing the site, but there’s still one huge omission: the ability to upload content directly from your Mac. It’s available on iOS and Android via the web app, so why not Mac? There’s no official explanation from the Facebook-owned company, but thankfully, there is a way to upload photos and videos to Instagram from your Mac – it just requires a bit of know-how.
How to upload photos and videos via Instagram Web
There is a way to upload photos and videos to your Instagram feed via the Instagram web interface, but you’ll first have to trick the site into thinking you’re on an iPhone. It’s entirely possible to do this on a Mac, although you’ll have to use Safari to do so.
To make Instagram think you’re using an iPhone, follow these steps:
- Open Safari on your Mac.
- Head to www.instagram.com
- On the toolbar, head to Safari > Preferences > Advanced.
- Select ‘Show Develop Menu in Menu Bar’ if it’s not already enabled.
- Then select the new Develop drop-down menu and select User Agent > Safari – iOS 12.1.3 – iPhone.
Once you’ve enabled the new User Agent, the Instagram website (via Safari, of course) should reload. Once reloaded, follow these instructions:
- Tap the + icon on the toolbar at the bottom of your Instagram feed – it’s in the same place as it is on the official iOS app.
- Browse for the image or video you’d like to upload to your feed, select it and click Choose to upload it.
- You can now go through Instagram’s suite of editing tools to tweak the appearance of your post. When you’re ready, hit Next.
- Add a caption to your post, select the social sharing options (if any) and hit Share to post the image.
It’s worth noting that while you can upload content to your main Instagram feed, you can’t post photos or videos to your Instagram Story via Instagram Web right now. Here’s hoping that the social network rolls out full functionality to the Instagram Web experience soon.
Third-party Instagram apps
While the company is slowly adding new functionality to the Instagram Web experience to match that of iOS and Android, it’s still not quite there. And, like with most things, if a company won’t do it then someone else will. There are currently a handful of third-party Instagram apps available for Mac, offering a mixed range of features at a variety of price points – just make sure the one you choose does everything you need it to.
Uplet
Uplet offers a much simpler approach the web-based Instagram experience, focusing only on the uploading of media to the site rather than browsing it, but there are features available that may interest power-users and businesses.
Like the Instagram app, Uplet lets you drag-and-drop photos and videos and upload them in bulk to your feed. You can edit each photo and add individual captions too, although without the ability to stagger posting, you may end up spamming your followers. You’ve also got multi-account support, allowing you to easily switch between personal and business accounts without logging out.
While Uplet supports bulk uploads, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t actually support multi-photo posts, although the developers say that is in the works. The only downside is pricing: while the app was originally available for a one-off payment of £9.99, it’s now only available as part of the Setapp Mac app suite at $9.99 a month.
Bluestacks Android emulator
If you prefer to use the native Instagram app for mobiles, there is a way to run it on a Mac. The secret? Emulators.
More specifically, Bluestacks Android Emulator offers a reliable way to run Android apps and games on a Mac, and that includes Instagram. It achieves this by emulating an Android device on your Mac, allowing you to access the Google Play Store and all its apps as if you were using an Android smartphone. There are very few differences between the iOS and Android variants of the app, so there shouldn’t be any learning curve when using Bluestacks to access Instagram.
You can download the Android emulator from the Bluestacks website, and the best part is that it’s completely free to use – no IAPs or subscriptions here.
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. 
