How to Post to Instagram From Your Computer

 Posting to Instagram from your computer is a great choice if you don’t have your phone on hand or need to access company assets on your laptop. Or you might simply prefer to use a wider screen.

                                                

For these reasons and others, you might be wondering, "Can I post to Instagram from my computer?" We have some good news.

Yes, you can post to Instagram from a PC, but there are some minor limitations. On its desktop version, Instagram only allows you to post images and videos to your profile. You cannot post Instagram Stories, IGTV posts, or Reels from the web version. You also cannot start a Live video.

Why post on Instagram from your computer?

Instagram is a popular social media network for sharing photos that’s most commonly accessed through a mobile app. It offers a web version that makes it easy to post assets you may only have on your laptop and not your phone. 

For example, let's say you're a social media manager for a prominent brand. The last thing you want to do is have an absentminded mishap where you accidentally post brand content to your personal Instagram account (or, worse, vice versa) simply because you're logged into both on your phone.

Alternatively, it might be easier to upload company posts and videos via your desktop, rather than having your smartphone open at work.

Plus, your company's files might be more easily accessible via desktop than mobile. For instance, if you use Photoshop to edit company photos, it's likely easier to click "Upload" from your desktop when you're done editing, rather than sending that same photo or video to your personal phone.

Perhaps you simply prefer the larger screen of desktop. Or, maybe you don't have access to a smartphone so you can't download the app on your phone.

So there are plenty of good reasons to use Instagram on your computer instead. Here’s how.

You can use Instagram on a PC. Simply access the Instagram website at instagram.com and login using your phone number, username, email, or Facebook account. On Instagram’s web version, you can browse your feed, reply to direct messages (DMs), view your notifications, post photos and videos to your profile, and more.

While the social platform is primarily meant to be consumed in-app, it offers a nearly identical experience if you access it on your computer.

On Instagram’s web version, you can:

• Watch and reply to other people’s Stories
• Search for hashtags and other users
• Browse your feed
• Comment and like posts
• Reply to direct messages (DMs)
• View your notifications
• Access the Explore tab
• Post photos and videos to your profile

In other words — Yes, you can post to Instagram from your PC or Mac desktop instead of on your mobile device's app or browser.

Now, let’s explore how you can post images and videos from your desktop computer.

How to Post to Instagram from Desktop PC

• Open up your preferred desktop browser.
• Go to instagram.com.
• Login to your account using your email, phone number, username, or Facebook credentials.
• Click the '+' button in the top bar.
• In the pop-up, click 'Select from computer.'
• Choose an image file to upload to Instagram.
• Optional: Crop the image, zoom in, or add more media if needed.
• Optional: Choose a filter and make additional adjustments.
• Write a caption.
• Optional: Add a location, add alt text, or turn off commenting if desired.
• Click 'Share.'

Done! You’ve posted on Instagram from your PC.

Whether you're on a Mac or a PC, you can post from your desktop computer. Instagram’s web version allows you to upload an Instagram post the same way you would via mobile, regardless of the platform you use. Below, we'll discuss how to do it on:

• Chrome
• Safari

Once we discuss how you can post photos, we'll also discuss how to upload a video to Instagram from your desktop.

How to Upload Photos to Instagram on a Desktop Computer Using Chrome

1. Open Chrome browser.

The first thing you'll want to do is open up Google Chrome. If you’re on Windows, you can do so by clicking the Windows icon in your task bar. Then, search through the applications you’ve already installed on your computer until you find Chrome.

2. Navigate to Instagram's website.

how to post on instagram on desktop: access instagram on chrome

                                                       

Next, navigate to https://www.instagram.com by typing it into the navigation bar. Log in using your Facebook credentials or by inputting your email, phone number, or username. If you’ve logged into Instagram’s web version before, it might include an option to “Continue as [username],” and you’ll be able to automatically log in.

3. Click the "+" button next to the DM symbol.

how to post on instagram on desktop: click the plus button Instagram’s web version has a top navigation bar that mirrors the navigation bar on the mobile app. It includes a search bar, a home symbol, a DM symbol, a plus sign, a heart, and a circle with your profile picture. Click the plus sign next to the DM symbol.

4. Click “Select from computer” to upload your media.

how to post on instagram on desktop: select a file

A popup box will appear with a blue button that says “Select from computer.” Browse until you find the file you’d like to upload.

5. Crop the image, zoom in, or add more media if needed.

how to post on instagram on desktop: crop the image

Instagram gives you several options for editing the image prior to publication. You can change the aspect ratio, zoom in, or add more media to the same post.

The zoom-in option is right next to the aspect ratio button:

how to post on instagram on desktop: zoom into the image

You’ll find the “add more media” button on the lower left-hand corner.

how to post on instagram on desktop: add more media

Click the plus sign to add more images to your post, if desired.

6. Choose a filter or make adjustments.

how to post on instagram on desktop: choose a filterNext, choose a filter, just like you would in the app. You can also adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, and other features.

how to post on instagram on desktop: make adjustments

Once you’re done, click Next in the top right of your screen.

7. Add a caption, location, alt text, and tags.

how to post on instagram on desktop: add captionOn the next screen, you'll be able to add a caption, add a location, or tag people.

8. Click Share.

When you're ready, click Share in the top right of your screen.

Done! You’ve now posted on Instagram using Chrome.