How to watch instagram live on mac
How to Watch Instagram Live Videos on Your PC or Mac
If you've spent a lot of time on Instagram, you've no doubt seen Instagram Live videos. However, can you watch Instagram videos on desktop? The answer is yes, but with some caveats.
The first thing you need to know is that logging into your Instagram account on your web browser won't help. Instead, you'll need to download a Chrome extension in order to access the feature.
In this article, we list the various ways to watch Instagram Live videos on desktop...
What Is IG Stories for Instagram?
If you're on a PC or Mac, the options to watch Instagram Live on computers is limited. In most cases, we actually recommend that you watch Instagram Live through the mobile app. If you want detailed instructions on how to do so, check out the Instagram help page for more information.
However, just because your options are limited does not mean that they don't exist. You can watch Instagram Live on PC or Mac by using a Chrome extension.
One extension that allows you to view Instagram Live on PC is IG Stories for Instagram (not to be confused with Chrome IG Story).
IG Stories for Instagram is an extension that allows you to watch Instagram Live videos on a desktop computer. It also allows you to watch stories and download finished Live videos.
Please Note: The ability to download live videos is only available for Windows, as per the extension's last update. There also seems to be some functionality issues currently affecting the app's ability to download videos, as per the reviews.
However, after testing the extension, we're happy to report that the ability to watch a Instagram Live video in a browser seems to work fine.
Another recently added feature includes the ability to upload images to your Instagram Story through the app.
How to Watch Instagram Live on PC or Mac
To watch Instagram Live desktop videos:
- Install the Chrome extension IG Stories for Instagram.
- Next, log into your Instagram account through a Chrome browser.
- Click on the app's icon at the top of your screen.
- Choose Go to IG Stories.
- Once you click on Go to IG Stories, you'll be taken to an extension version of your Instagram page.
On the IG Stories for Instagram page, you should see four categories along your search bar:
- Friends
- Location
- Search
- Upload
The section you see upon logging in is usually Friends.
On this page, there will be a list of your friends who have recently posted images or videos to their stories.
At the top of the Friends section---if your friends are currently broadcasting a live video---you'll see that person's username with a Live icon beside them. Click on the icon to start watching the live video:
If there are no live videos playing, you can click on your friend's "eye" icon to view their previously ended live videos that have been added to the Stories section.
You can also:
- Download Stories.
- Watch Stories from strangers that are tagged with a country location.
- Search for Stories by Users, Tags, or Places.
This app is really handy if you want to watch Instagram Live on PC or Mac. However, you'll want to use it in tandem with another app to access the full functionality of Instagram, as its focus is on live videos.
Additional Considerations
We also want to issue a caveat for this extension before you try it.
While checking the reviews, we noticed multiple complaints where users were prompted to download an .exe file when downloading a Live video. It was an .exe that some found to be unnecessary and/or suspicious. Some users even reported the .exe being flagged as malware.
Although the developer has done their best to address these concerns in the comments, and we were personally not prompted to download an .
exe while testing, there were enough complaints that we felt a caveat was warranted. As always, use common sense when using any app.
For more information on Stories and how they play into this extension, here's how to re-share Instagram posts to Stories.
Additional Live Instagram PC Apps Worth Trying
If you're not satisfied with the recommendation above, but still want to watch Instagram Live on computers or other devices, there are some other apps worth trying.
There's a tool called Loola.tv that allows you to stream live videos from your desktop to multiple platforms, including Instagram. However, Loola is strictly geared towards content creators, not followers who want to watch Instagram Live on PC. Which means it isn't suitable for watching videos in a browser, at least for the average user.
One of the best extensions we've tested is Desktop for Instagram, by Devanco.
With this app, you can search Instagram for recent videos and pictures.
You can watch people's Stories, post your own videos to IGTV, and download videos and pictures from Instagram to your desktop.
The developers claim that this extension lets you do everything you would normally do on the mobile Instagram app, including watching Instagram Live videos. However, after testing out Desktop for Instagram, we don't think it quite lives up to the hype.
IG Stories for Instagram is still better suited for this purpose.
Tips for Finding Instagram Live Streams
No matter which app you try out, there are some simple tips for finding Instagram live streams. And these work on all of the extensions we've mentioned in this article.
- Who you follow matters: If you want to watch Instagram Live streams from your friends, some people are far more likely to do live streams than others.
- Instagram Stories: When you log into the app, or use an extension like Desktop for Instagram, you'll see a row of avatars with colored circles at the top of your feed.
This is your Stories section. If you see the words "Live" beneath a user's avatar, this means that your friend is currently broadcasting. - Replay Live videos: If you happen to miss a live video, never fear. Instagram Live videos can be shared to Instagram Stories after they're ended, although it should be noted that replays disappear from the feed after 24 hours. You can find out more on the Instagram help page for this feature.
- Find new people to follow: By using Instagram's Search and Explore option, you can find additional people to follow who may share live videos, too.
The Instagram Mobile App Is the Best Option
While all the extensions listed above are good, there is no seamless, bug-free way to watch Instagram Live on a PC or Mac. As such, the Instagram mobile app remains the best option if that's what you want to do.
That said, you should still try IG Stories for Instagram, as it's a good extension for watching live videos at this moment.
In the meantime, if you're new to Instagram, you should read our guide to IGTV (Instagram TV) and how it works in order to get yourself acquainted with the platform.
Want to share your own favorite videos on Instagram? Here's how you can post a YouTube video to Instagram.
How to Watch Instagram Live on Mac with Chrome IG Stories Extension
- How-to
- Mac
If you love Instagram and are wondering how to watch Instagram Live on Mac, It’s pretty easy on Google Chrome browser. Just follow these simple steps and tune in.
Written bySuraj
March 26, 2021
2 minute read
If you love Instagram, you’ve probably seen live streams on your phone from those you follow. But have you ever wondered how to watch Instagram Live on Mac? Now, we know that Instagram is best experienced in the mobile app where you can do cool things like share Spotify songs on stories or save stories to your phone. But sometimes it’s just more comfortable to watch videos on your computer so let’s see how to do that.
Before you can watch Instagram live on your Mac, you need to have the Google Chrome browser installed on your Mac.
Step #1: Simply click here to download the IG Stories for the Instagram extension.
Step #2: At the top right of the page, click Add to Chrome. A confirmation pop-up window will appear.
Step #3: In the pop-up window, click on Add extension.
Step #4: Wait for the installation to complete. Once done, the extension icon will appear on the top right of your Chrome browser.
Step #5: Once you’ve installed the extension, go to Instagram.com on Google Chrome and Sign in with your username and password.
Step #6: If someone you follow is streaming live, it will show on the top left of the page. To start watching the live stream on your Mac, click the live video link on the top left of the page.
The live video stream will open in a new tab on Google Chrome.
You can now watch Instagram live with IG Stories for Instagram extension.
Wrapping Up…
So, as you can see, it’s pretty easy to watch Instagram Live on Mac. Have you tried it out yet? And whose live streams do you enjoy most? Let us know in the comments below.
You may also check out related posts:
- How to Post on Instagram from Mac
- Best Instagram Stories Apps for iPhone
- How to Add Music to Instagram Stories on iPhone
- How to Fix if Instagram Notifications Not Working on iPhone
iGeeksBlog has affiliate and sponsored partnerships. We may earn commissions on purchases made using our links. However, this doesn’t affect the recommendations our writers make. You can read more about our review and editorial process here.
Author
Suraj is a digital marketing expert on the iGB's team.
He contributes to the social media section along with tips and tricks for iPhone, Apple Watch. Apart from blogging, he likes to work out as much as he can in his gym and love to listening to retro music.
How to start a live broadcast on Instagram from a computer
The web version of Instagram has the standard functionality for viewing and interacting with content: surfing the feed, viewing stories, the ability to like, comment or save a post. But, no matter how strange it may be, there is no way to view and start live broadcasts.
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How to watch Instagram live on a computer
.
Live broadcasts have become more useful and popular, so it is important for someone to have access to watching live broadcasts on a computer. Below we have given 2 ways how this can be done. nine0004
The official Instagram app
The full app is only available on Windows 10. The process of watching live on Instagram from a computer is no different from that on a smartphone.
Using Android emulators.
These are programs that simulate a virtual mobile device on the Android platform. One of the popular and simple emulators is BlueStacks. After installing it, you will be able to download the Instagram application through the Play Market and install it on your computer. nine0003
You will have access to a full-fledged Instagram application on your computer, with which you can not only watch live broadcasts, but also publish content, surf the feed or go live yourself. A step-by-step guide on how to install BlueStacks and start live streaming from a computer will be covered in the next chapter.
How to start live on Instagram from a computer
, is identical to the standard functionality in the application on a smartphone. nine0004
If you want to use photos, videos or presentations live, you can do it in the application on the iPhone (this function is not available on Android). To do this, start the live broadcast and click on the rightmost icon at the bottom of the screen and select the desired file from the gallery.
After that, 2 windows will appear: one small with a speaker, the other full screen with material. By simply clicking on one of the windows, you can quickly switch between them.
If the live broadcast involves a presentation, prepare it in advance and save each slide separately. The presentation helps to visualize complex information and thus is better absorbed by the listeners. This format of live broadcasts is suitable for information business or educational accounts.
nine0004
If you still need to live stream Instagram from your computer, download and install the BlueStacks emulator.
You now have an Android virtual mobile device. To access applications in the Play Market, you need to log in to Google.
Next, open the Play Market on the "My Applications" tab, find the Instagram application in the search and install it.
The installed application will appear in the "My Applications" section, which is the desktop of the virtual device. nine0004
Launch and log in to the Instagram app. Now you can broadcast live on Instagram from your computer, as well as use all the features.
Conclusion
Like many restrictions on Instagram, the inability to view and start live streaming on Instagram can be bypassed using third-party programs.
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How to start a live broadcast on Instagram?
20 Jul 2020
Dmitry Marishin
Social networks burst into our lives quickly, and we can no longer imagine our lives without them. Who doesn't scroll through their Instagram feed at least once a day? In addition to viewing photos and videos, this social network has many more different functions. Sometimes it seems that the functionality is obvious, but when the moment comes to use it, difficulties arise.
Today we'll show you how to make a live broadcast on Instagram. Go! nine0004
Why start a live broadcast?
How to broadcast live on Instagram?
Why start live on Instagram?
Live broadcasts are often launched by bloggers and companies. In it, you can demonstrate your product in real time, answer questions. Often broadcasts are used to promote their personal brand. You can come up with a topic in advance, collect user questions and answer them in real time. During the broadcast, social network users will see you and will be able to leave you comments. You will not see them and will only be able to watch their messages. nine0004
In what format can the broadcast be made:
- Interview. Make a video with a professional in your field to share useful information with subscribers.
- Draw. Summarize the results of any draw.
- Seminar. Tell subscribers interesting information on the topic of your blog.
- Excursion. Show users your office, company, employees. If you have a production facility, you can take a tour of it, tell how your product is made. nine0161
- Event. If you went to a meeting, a concert, anywhere. Show it to subscribers so they know what you live for.
- Overview or presentation. Depending on what you are doing, demonstrate your product to users, for example, unpack it. Or tell us more about your service or product.
How to broadcast live on Instagram?
You can watch other users' live broadcasts and make your own. How to run:
- Sign in to Instagram and click on the house.
- Swipe the feed from left to right and you will see the option to add stories.
- It will say "No effects" at the bottom. Scroll the menu to the left and you'll see the "Live" button.
- When you click on it, the connection and broadcast will start (During it, you can like, repost, comment.
You can write a topic so that connected users can understand what is being said. It is also possible to connect a friend to the broadcast and make a joint broadcast). nine0161 - After the broadcast ends, click end.
- You can add a video to IGTV so that it is saved on your page and the post can be viewed by your subscribers who did not watch the broadcast. You can also download the recording to your iPhone.
To promote your personal brand, increase your company's awareness, broadcast live on Instagram a couple of times a month. Think about video formats in advance so that your audience will be interested in watching them. Use social media to promote your business and increase sales. nine0004
Check the security of your Instagram account in advance to avoid possible blocking or loss of access to your account. With each it, the account literally becomes more expensive and its value increases, especially if it is used for commercial purposes. And if there was a blockage and it was not possible to solve the problem on your own, it is better to immediately turn to professionals.
