Want to post to Instagram from PC or Mac?
Whether you have a desktop computer or laptop, you have many options.
The Instagram Graph API has allowed scheduling IG posts for automated publishing since 2018. This time-saving service only applies to business accounts, and only when you use one of their approved Marketing Partners.
As of 2022, you can also post from Instagram.com, and schedule posts via Facebook Creator Studio.
Interested? Let’s roll!
There are four ways to post to Instagram from PC or Mac:
- Post from your browser at Instagram.com for immediate publication.
- Schedule an Instagram post in Facebook’s Creator Studio.
- Schedule your posts and get a reminder to post on your phone.
- BEST: Schedule your posts and have them automatically published for you.
Disclosure: I’m an affiliate for some of these products and may receive a referral fee if you purchase after clicking my link.
How to Post to Instagram from Computer
You can now post from your desktop by simply visiting your Instagram account on your browser of choice. Here’s how you do it if you have images you want to post right away.
1 | The newest menu layout means all of the features are now along the left side of the screen. In this menu, there’s an option for Create.
2 | Select this, and a pop-up box will appear where you can drag photos or videos. Or you can click the blue button to browse the files on your computer and select the ones you want.
3 | There are options to crop and resize the image, zoom in, and add multiple images for a carousel. You can even add filters and adjustments to the photo. Pretty much everything you can do on your phone – with perhaps fewer choices.
4 | Finally, you can add the caption along with hashtags. You can also add a location and find accessibility and advanced settings.
You can’t schedule ahead of time when you use this method, but it works for posts you want to send out immediately.
Creator Studio for Instagram
Creator Studio has been around for Facebook for a while. But now you can also use it to create posts for Instagram and schedule them ahead.
Head over, be sure you’re in the Instagram tab, and choose Create New.
Create your post and select your Instagram account to schedule. Add the image and text as well as hashtags.
You can also add location information and tag any products.
For scheduling, there’s an option for Active Times that shows you when to post based on your account engagement stats, if there’s data for this.
Or there’s the option to either save draft, post now, or schedule post.
When you schedule, you can choose the time and date and the post will go out then.
You can also schedule a video this way.
While it’s a good free option, Creator Studio doesn’t have as many of the features as a third-party app like Tailwind. So let’s check those apps out next.
Instagram Scheduling Tools Approved to Auto-Post
Schedule Instagram posts for your business account – and have them automatically published!
If you don’t want to (or can’t) use the auto-post feature, you can use one of these apps to prep your post and get a notification when it’s time to post.
Reasons to use these tools to auto-post:
- Automatically publish photo or video and caption to a business account.
- Get images and video from computer to your phone to manually post.
- Plan a constant and cohesive presence.
- Set a schedule and not forget when to post.
- Work either on your computer, or use the mobile app version.
- They’re approved Instagram / Facebook Partners!
Here are a few reasons why you might want to use these tools with notifications instead of auto-posting:
- You have a personal, not business, Instagram account.
- You want to post a multi-image or carousel post (not yet supported).
- You like to use Instagram filters.
- You simply prefer to post live.
These tools are your best bet as they’re approved partners! They have access to the latest API and features, and won’t put your account at risk.
Tailwind for Instagram
Tailwind calls their service “The Most Intuitive Instagram Scheduler Available.” It serves up a lot of great features, including the incredible Hashtag Finder.
Tailwind lets you schedule posts with photos PLUS videos and carousel posts.
It offers Stories Scheduling with the posting prompt to your smartphone.
Tailwind for Instagram also offers:
- Smart Schedule to help you find the best time to post
- Automatically publish photo and caption to a business account
- Bulk upload on desktop
- 9 grid preview
- Manage multiple Instagram accounts
- Hashtag Finder + hashtags in the first comment option
- Reusable hashtag lists
- Easy regrams
There are even options to help with making posts, such as a stock photo library and graphic design tools.
Plus the link in bio tool lets you get the most from that single link.
This one really has everything you need – and they’re great people too! I <3 Tailwind.
If you’d like to go in-depth to mastering Tailwind for Instagram, watch this video!
Try Tailwind for Instagram Free Forever!
Cost to upgrade: $9.99 per month if paid annually, or $15 paid monthly.
Why I Prefer Tailwind for Instagram Posting
There are a few Instagram Partners which will offer auto-publishing to Instagram. Why choose Tailwind?
- Tailwind knows visual marketing! They’re experts in Instagram and Pinterest.
- Tailwind is your best buy – or you can use it free forever.
- Tailwind analytics rock – access valuable stats on your IG performance.
- Tailwind Smart Schedule posts when your audience is most engaged.
- Hashtag Finder! Save time and increase engagement with a perfect collection of hashtags.
- Finally, Tailwind is a small business of dedicated, hardworking folks like you and me. I love to support small business, don’t you?
Try Tailwind with the Smart Schedule and Hashtag Finder – FREE!
• • • Click here to try Tailwind for Instagram Forever FREE• • •
I may receive a referral fee if you invest in a paid plan.
Planoly
Planoly is another approved Instagram partner that offers auto-posting. You can post photos, carousels, and video posts as well as use the smartphone app to publish Stories.
It offers hashtags in the first caption, and you can create reusable hashtag lists in the app. Saved captions are also available.
There’s an easy 9 grid preview, and you can drag and drop posts around the calendar.
There’s no free plan. Prices start at $19 a month.
Later
If you want a scheduler that posts to Facebook and Twitter in addition to Instagram, Later is a budget-friendly choice. You can get a plan for as low as $9 per month!
On the $19 plan, you’ll enjoy added features like hashtag suggestions, analytics, and best times to post.
Later even has a Free plan that includes autoposting, but you can’t schedule or post video or Stories on this plan.
Free is limited to 30 posts a month and email support only, but if it’s the only one that fits your (non-existent) budget, then learn more about Later here.
Hootsuite
Hootsuite is a full-featured social media management tool.
They’ve added Instagram scheduling to their lineup of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. As an Instagram partner, Hootsuite can post directly to Instagram.
Direct photo publishing is also supported on the Hootsuite mobile apps.
Hootsuite includes loads of helpful account management features. Watch the video below to see how you can easily follow and interact with targeted accounts, hashtags, and locations. Very useful – in addition to managing your own accounts.
To sign up for a free 30 day trial of Hootsuite Pro, click here. Current cost after trial: $29 a month billed annually, for 10 social profiles and unlimited scheduling with 1 user.
Hootsuite also offers a limited Free plan for 3 social profiles with a maximum of 30 scheduled messages.
Buffer
Buffer is a well-known social media scheduler that’s also an approved marketing partner with direct posting to Instagram.
Schedule single image and video posts on desktop or mobile to any of your Instagram business profiles, and Buffer will publish for you at your preferred times.
If you’d like to schedule gallery images, or use Instagram’s native posting features, like filters, they’ll send a notification to your phone at your scheduled time. Your post will be automatically loaded into Instagram with your pre-written caption, ready to be pasted, and you can customize and publish.
Measure the performance of your posts with Buffer’s key metrics. See how your audience is growing and how your followers are engaging with your content.
There’s no cropping tool in Buffer like there is in Tailwind, so if your image posts are not within Instagram’s 4:5 to 1.91:1 aspect ratio, they can’t be auto-published.
Yes, you can auto-publish to Instagram business accounts on the Free plan! The Pro plan is $15 per month, and the Premium plan jumps to $65/month.
Sign up or learn more about Buffer here.
Zoho Social
Zoho Social is a complete social media management platform for businesses and agencies. Manage multiple social channels, schedule unlimited posts, monitor keywords, and collaborate with your team—all from a single dashboard.
Direct publishing to Instagram is available in all the plans offered by Zoho Social, including the Free plan.
Check out the 15-day free trial of Zoho Social here.
PostCron
PostCron offers direct publishing to Instagram, as well as Facebook pages, Facebook groups, Facebook events, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
Want to learn more, or sign up for their 7-day free trial? Click here.
Sendible
Start posting photos or videos directly to Instagram from Sendible, without having to use mobile app notifications!
You’ll be able to post directly to Instagram by setting up your Instagram Business Profile as a new service within Sendible. Note: Instagram currently only allows the following formats for direct scheduling: single photo (.JPG and .PNG files) or video (.MOV and .MP4 files).
To schedule carousel posts, meaning multiple photos or videos, you can continue to publish through the push-notification process with their mobile app.
Currently, the “Micro” plan is $29 billed monthly.
Learn more or sign up for a 30-day free trial of Sendible.
Iconosquare
Iconosquare is another Instagram Partner scheduling tool that’s enabled auto-publishing.
For a 14-day free trial, click here to try Iconosquare. This one is also $29 per month billed annually, or $39 on monthly billing.
IG Scheduling Tools That Send a Reminder to Your Phone
These tools aren’t smartphone-free solutions. They send a reminder to your mobile device at the time you scheduled your post. You still need a mobile device to complete the posting.
PromoRepublic
Need Instagram post ideas and a way to create them, in addition to a scheduler? PromoRepublic offers all 3.
Create stunning posts in seconds with 100,000+ handcrafted templates, ideas, and visuals.
It’s really a brilliant idea generator! You’ll never be at a loss for ideas. Every time I log in, I find graphics that I can’t resist to pop my logo on and schedule to either Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
Spend an hour or two once a month, and check content creation and scheduling off your list!
To try PromoRepublic for free, click here.
• • • Try PromoRepublic for FREE • • •
If you purchase a plan, I may receive a referral fee.
ViralTag
Here’s a full-featured tool that lets you manage all your visual content in one place – not just for Instagram, but also Pinterest, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and LinkedIn.
- Bulk upload and editing tools included.
- Create original content with their Canva integration.
- Customize your message, image dimensions, and posting time for each social network.
- Add multiple RSS feeds, Instagram, and Flickr accounts to curate content easily.
- Chrome extension to pick images from any site in an instant, and schedule them in bulk.
- “Recycling” feature that automatically recycles your top-performing evergreen content.
- Collaborate and plan your social media with your team on a shared marketing calendar.
- Organize your content from Dropbox, Google Drive, Flickr, and social media in your custom dashboard.
- Measure the success of your content with Viraltag website traffic and social analytics.
- Learn best times to post and which content drives more engagement.
This looks like a great tool and I hope to find time to give ViralTag a test run. Current cost after 14-day trial: $24 per month, and up.
• • • Try ViralTag for FREE • • •
If you purchase a plan, I may receive a referral fee.
CrowdFireApp
CrowdFireApp allows you to schedule Instagram photos at the best suggested time to get the most likes and engagement with your picture. Or choose to post immediately, or at a time you specify.
They suggest hashtags to use. You can “add all” hashtags, but most are irrelevant to your image, so don’t.
There’s also an app for iOS and Android to schedule via your phone. Free version available: maximum 10 posts per month and no support.
Socialdraft
Schedule posts to Instagram via the Socialdraft dashboard and you’ll receive an SMS (no additional mobile app needed).
Socialdraft puts all of your content for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn into one easy to read calendar.
Pro plan cost after 14-day trial: $19 per month. Plus, there’s a Free version allowing up to 50 posts per month.
Why Use an Instagram Scheduler?
Instagram was created as a share-the-moment social media network. Its intention was sharing moments as you’re experiencing them. But it’s evolved and expanded as new communities and marketers have come to love Instagram.
With these tools:
→ Brands can keep a constant and cohesive presence.
→ Photographers can easily post dSLR photos from their computer.
→ Designers can use their favorite desktop tools and share on IG.
→ Videographers can edit on desktop and share directly to Instagram.
→ The visually creative can plan a kick-ass profile page.
The tools that include scheduling allow you to plan a consistent look to your account, as well as to post when you’re busy working – or even off-grid.
Many of these tools allow you to post even if you don’t own a smart device.
One recent feature of Instagram: Now you can open an account via instagram.com – no need for a smart device.
Low Tech Options to Get to Instagram from Computer
If you simply need to move dSLR photos or graphics you created on your computer to your phone, you can bypass the tools mentioned above.
AirDrop
Easiest solution for Apple users.
I simply right-click the item on desktop and choose Share > AirDrop.
Open your mobile device and it should pop up on the AirDrop screen.
Select on your computer, and accept on your mobile device.
Don’t know how to set up AirDrop? This video walks you through.
Mac Photos App
Have an iPhone, and using the Photos desktop app on your Mac? Simply right-click any photo and choose Share > iCloud Photo Sharing.
If you haven’t already, create a shared album and you’ll see it as one of your photo albums right in the Instagram app. Easy-peasy.
Dropbox
If you’re not all Apple, or you’re retouching or creating images in Photoshop, then use Dropbox. It’s a free app that you’ll install on both your computer and your smart device. Then simply copy the items on your desktop to a Dropbox folder (mine’s named IG – clever huh?).
To copy files on a Mac, go to your Finder, open the folder containing the image(s), and option-click on the one(s) you want to copy. Drag to the Dropbox folder and you’ll find them on your phone app instantly. Tap on the image and save it to your camera roll.
If you sign up for a FREE account, I’ll get more storage space on mine. So go ahead, do it, you know you want to!
(Did I mention it’s FREE? And very useful!)
• • • Get a FREE DropBox account • • •
The lowest tech option of all is to email yourself a photo from your computer. This is cumbersome if you’re using high resolution photos, as you’ll be emailing yourself often!
Which Instagram Posting App is Best for You?
As Instagram pursues businesses and advertisers, they’ve updated their API to make posting from desktop easier for business accounts – but only through an approved partner.
We reviewed options that don’t include auto-posting, too. If you do the actual posting yourself, it shouldn’t cross Instagram’s Terms of Service, but I can’t guarantee it.
Posting to Instagram from desktop can help you boost your business presence more easily.
Note: This article was originally published October 2014 and has been updated 13 times.
Want more?
Learn how to grow your Instagram followers 11 ways!
Monica says
Louise, you’re doing incredible work! Thank you for sharing this information, it`s still relevant!
I also would like to ask your opinion about social media services like instagrowing, is it worth to use?
Louise Myers says
Only if you want your account closed by IG. I recommend avoiding all such spammy services. Only use Instagram-approved marketing partners.
Emily Quirq says
so many good apps are listed here.
thanks for sharing.
recently I started to use ingramer scheduled posting feature and it works even better than many services.
Louise Myers says
I can’t recommend that. Using an unapproved service is a good way to get your account shut down, so beware.
John Krootez says
Hi, Louise!
The worst thing about all those apps is that now Instagram has some kind of a ban for ones that use third-party apps and services with their accounts. I think they fight mass-following and time-posting tools that help people organize and automate the growth of their accounts. They said using third-party would definitely put a negative effect on the ranking of such accounts on the recommended and hashtag feeds etc. Heard people start putting likes and following other people for no reason and that’s another side of using third-party apps. Another reason, they say, the third-party provide lots of IG users’ personal information to the Big data collecting companies. I know people use it nevertheless, but the rumors about shadow ban are almost on every blog about IG promotion.
Louise Myers says
Absolutely. This article is scheduled to be updated next week. You should ONLY use IG Official Marketing Partners.
Angela Hobbs says
I must come in and say, Gramblr is NOT a safe option!
I don’t use my IG account that much, and have had it for a good while with only 12 posts, all done after installing Gramblr. I don’t have any iphones etc… so I was never able to post to the site until I installed the said app.
After placing around 12 posts, I did not post any more since, about 6 or so months. I logged in a couple times, and noticed strangly that I had “followed about 100 people I did not follow… but thought nothing the first time.
I then logged in around Xmas, and noticed the number had shot up consideraly, to around 13 00, but again thought it wierd, but was way too slammed to worry then.
Mind you, at some point after installing this thing, at random times, my pc began warning me of unusual activity, if I recall it is always something like unknown traffic coming in/out of a port. I am not tech oriented in that area, so sort of just prayed Norton would keep it right.
Then last weekend, I logged in to discover 3366 people I was supposedly following. It took me that long to freak, and then began researching this phenomena, (which of course led me to Gramblr and a ton of similira complaints) and further searching on how to make it stop.
As far as unfollowing these people, I have been trying to gradually do that since the beginning of the week, and in reality actually unfollowed almost 400 of them, but 2/3 of them seem to return right away. It will probably take me months to get all these wierd people which I would never in my life follow, off my feeds, but the only other choice is to wipe out the account and start over with a new one, and I really don’t want to do that.
I did change my password after uninstalling it, and I still pray it did not leave anything behind. As of yet I have not again seen the warning about excessive traffic, hope never to again.
Anyway, bottom line, I DO NOT recommend this devil thing lol!!
Louise Myers says
Oh no, that’s absolutely terrible! Thanks for the warning.
Petra Paul says
This website is horrible !!! Totally overloaded with advertising spam which makes it difficult to read the article.
I just quit because this is far too much!
Louise Myers says
My apologies for your poor experience. I need to work on reducing the quantity of ads.
Gomez Mariya says
Hi..
I am already using “Instagram for desktop”. That’s not really bad.
Louise Myers says
If the limited features work for you it’s fine.
Kevn says
I think you’ve missed Buffer. It is even better as you can post to all social media networks with the same way of scheduling and Buffer Instagram feature works exactly same way. But for personal use I prefer browser extensions, because it’s easy to use, no registration needed and it’s totally free =))
Louise Myers says
Thanks for the tip, I’ll look into Buffer.
shiwangi says
The point which you have mentioned in the article about Gramblr is 100% true.
When i installed Gramblr in my pc and started using, it was working fine for few months, later i started facing issue with login. I was not able to login even with my correct user id and password. I used to get pop up saying broken string, invalid username password. But, i was trying to login with correct userid and pwd.
Waste software. not using anymore.
Louise Myers says
Good to know. Thanks for sharing with us.
Max says
Hey, I’m Max co-founder of Storrito.com Just want to mention our tool Storrito here as another option to post Instagram stories from a desktop computer or laptop. We also support Instagram’s hash-, user- and geo-tags. Best regards, Max
Louise Myers says
Cool! Is Storrito an Instagram partner?
Matej says
That is my wonder…
Louise Myers says
My guess is “no.”
Elle says
Just curious if you could explain the “cons” of using a tool that isn’t an official Instagram partner? Could it get my accounts banned?
Louise Myers says
Yes, use of these tools means you’re breaking IG terms of use, so they can ban, block, or delete your account.
David says
Hey Louise, have you tried the Desktop for Instagram extension?
It’s a Chrome extension, so it works on mac, windows, and linux.
Louise Myers says
I haven’t.
David says
A friend created it, maybe the extension is worth mentioning in your article.
In case you’d like to try it: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/desktop-for-instagram/nlhjgcligpbnjphflfdbmabbmjidnmek
Kelly says
The Tailwind free trial still requires a smartphone or mobile device to be able to use it a tall! How does this help people who DON’T have smartphones use Instagram from their desktop????
Louise Myers says
I’ll check into this because I don’t believe this to be the case. You *can* use the mobile Tailwind app but I never have. I’ll let you know. Things do change!
Andrey M. says
Gramblr is subscribing you to fake and spam accounts daily, gaining money from it. Don’t share your password with any stupid services, only OAuth.
Louise Myers says
Oh no! Thanks for the heads up.
Anelise says
What do you this about Preppr?
Louise Myers says
Sounds expensive for what it does. Tailwind is a better deal since it’s an approved partner and can actually post for you.
Alex says
Have you tried Windowed? I would love to know your thoughts on it!
Louise Myers says
I wouldn’t try or recommend it. As they say, you must “understand the risks involved with using 3rd party software.” There’s simply no need to risk it, as there are IG-approved methods.
Also those first few browser-based methods were disabled shortly after they spread across the internet. It’s obvious IG doesn’t approve of sneaky methods.
Evan says
Windowed stopped working Nov 7, 2020.
Julian Macintyre says
Hey Louise, Love what you’re sharing here had quick look round your site and must say pretty impressed. I came across this Article, whilst Listening to an old Social Media Examiner podcast. They recommended a tool, called thegridapp.com, which apparently enabled people to post to Instagram from a desktop.Doesn’t seem to exist anymore, ever heard of it and did you know what happened to it?
Louise Myers says
Haven’t heard of that one. A lot of these tools are going to come and go. At this point, I can’t recommend a posting tool that’s not approved by Instagram. There’s just no reason to risk your account.
Dan says
Hello,
This post is really great full of useful information. Thank you so much Louise. I am looking for a tool that you could help me create/edit captions on my instagram pictures directly from my desktop. Is there a tool you would recommend?
Louise Myers says
Hi Dan,
As far as I know, all of these allow you to create a caption for posting. I don’t think any allow you to edit the caption after posting though. I can’t even do that on instagram.com.
My favorite tool is Tailwind. You can read more about approved schedulers and auto-posting here.
Peter says
You did not mention Gramblr will access your instagram account and do what they like with it, i.e like and comment on other people’s photos, follow random people, add apps to your account, basically granting them access to do what the hell they please…
We noticed our account followed people we did not action, spammy accounts, use at your own risk.
Their terms:
3 – Access to Instagram
3.1
– When creating the account, you grant Gramblr the authorization to access your Instagram account at any time to:
3.1.1
Upload a picture to your account,
3.1.2
Like other users’ photos,
3.1.3
Add an application to your Instagram account,
3.1.4
Add a comment using your account,
3.1.5
Commit a follow to another user with your account,
3.1.6
View, create or modify any content associated with the account,
3.2
– If you are a member of the like or follower exchange program, you will be banned if:
3.2.1
you use fake accounts for any purpose such as gaining legitimate likes or followers,
3.2.2
you unfollow or unlike any picture or video,
3.2.3
you modify the software in such way that the likes or follows are not properly committed.
Louise Myers says
I haven’t included any of these apps’ ToS. Anyone using software has to due their own due diligence and decided if the program is right for them.
Are you saying Gramblr actually did that on your account? Other software charges for it… I would be quite surprised if Gramblr did it free. However it appears that they have a “like or follower exchange program” that this would apply to.
Tarek Dinaji says
When it comes to posting on your instagram account from your desktop, Instagram says No, get an app.
Fortunately tools like Later and hootsuite one can easily manage his instagram profile from his desktop. I really like how you handpicked some of the best instagram tools out there.
Jason Brown says
Instapic seems to have disappeared from the Windows Store.
Louise Myers says
Thanks for the heads up. Name has changed so I updated the link to InPic.
Diptanu says
Hi Louise,
Just want to thank you for sharing this informative article. I am searching in the internet to use Instagram on my Laptop, finally got here.
Sharon Knettell says
I tried Push.Photo. I tried the test worked like a charm and got the paid version. After a few maddening posting glitches- and a threat to unsubscribe it works like a charm. REALLY, no cumbersome workarounds. I use Grambler as well, but if you are an artist like me and want to post verticals from your PC this is an easy service to use.
Louise Myers says
The workarounds (though annoying) are required to comply with Instagram’s terms of service. As I noted, there’s a possibility with an app like Push Photo that IG could close your account.
Jim says
Hi
Whats your review about buying some instagram followers to grow my account?
What is your opinion about purchasing some instagram followers to grow my account?
Louise Myers says
It’s a terrible idea that I highly recommend no one waste their money on.
shrikant says
how to upload my videos directly from my pc ??
without bluestacks and other shits !!
Louise Myers says
Well, you can’t. If you don’t like that, complain to Instagram. I have no control over how they run their app.
Asif malik says
another Post on Instagram website Kingweb.biz
No need to download any software on desktop.
One drive, dropbox support
MSP says
Great tips! Sometimes your smartphone cannot do enough with the things you want to do with Instagram.
brij mohan says
being a developer, I am amazed to know about this tool. first time I heard about these tool
Ram says
I am finding some google chrome extension, which redirects pc to Instagram’s mobile website
nategh says
Hi . Thank you for your good and useful article . But I wanna create a new Photo Album with pc . Can anyone help me?
Monalisa Matache says
I’ve attempted your first strategy utilizing my MAC. Chosen the photograph I needed to post from my desktop, however it didn’t show up on my IG account. Don’t comprehend what I’m fouling up. I detest doing this stuff on my telephone, and I was hunting down an option. Much appreciated to such an extent.
Louise Myers says
“I’ve attempted your first strategy”
Using Tailwind? It would send a reminder to your phone. You still need to post manually. This is required by IG terms of use.
Cliff says
Hi Louise,
i tried the ctrl+shift+i method once few days ago.
but now it seems that the camera icon, upload button at the bottom is no longer available.
Any other ways to upload directly from PC?
Louise Myers says
Looks like it’s been disabled. Every other way I know of is listed in the article. Obviously IG doesn’t want us doing this though….
Arifa Rahman says
OMG!!!!!!! thnx for the tips!!!!!!!!!!! Genius person…….
sophia says
I have pressed shift/control/1 and shift/command/1
but nothing happens, I called the Instagram number and the Indians kept saying it was the wrong number and call this one instead.. That one sounded like a scam and then they hung up on me.
How do I post from a Mac computer please?
Louise Myers says
Oh, Sophia. Instagram could not help you with this – it’s a HACK! And it has nothing to do with IG that you haven’t pulled up the developer tools on your browser.
If the shortcut doesn’t work, just go to the 3 dots at top right on Chrome, go to More Tools… Developer Tools.
Michelle says
Thank you for good advise! I dream of a day when someone in Instagram will make checking recived likes on deskop!
It might be muuuch easier when we are making giveaways to copy the list of users that liked post for random picker….
Any idea how to tell them? :)))
Louise Myers says
Facebook / Instagram isn’t very good at listening, unfortunately.
Teri says
Hi. I’ve tried your first method using my MAC. Selected the photo I wanted to post from my desktop, but it didn’t appear on my IG account. Don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I hate doing this stuff on my phone, and I was searching for an alternative. Thanks so much.
Louise Myers says
Hi Teri, I don’t know how to guess what you’re doing wrong. I’m using Chrome for Mac and it works for me.
Ceera Photos says
Thanks too much. A nice way.
John says
I am a developer but I did not know this is the only way to do it.
Kind of strange that Instagram doesn’t have a desktop app…
Thank you for your advice!
Malinee says
Hi Louise, this is a very useful article. I just want to be able to post to IG and have my copy formatted correctly (It is pretty easy to post photos from a desktop using Safari). When I did a post and was pretty careful about not breaking up words and going too far to the right, the actual writing of the post ended up formating poorly. Are there any simple hacks you could suggest? Thanks in advance!
Louise Myers says
What didn’t you like about the formatting?
L.P. says
Hey Louise,
Do I need to be a developer to use this (would be super awesome if I had access) tip? Shortcut doesn’t take me anywhere..and when I sign out – it asks me to register as a developer..
Louise Myers says
I’m not a developer! If the shortcut doesn’t work, just go to the 3 dots at top right on Chrome, go to More Tools… Developer Tools.
Sorry but I don’t know what you mean about signing out.
Yasar says
Very Informative Post!
I use Andyroid PC Software for running Android apps on PC.
This trick is also too nice to me.
Please keep sharing.
Stephen Hartley says
There’s a useful account of which features are and are not available on the latest version of the IG mobile site here: https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/08/instagram-mobile-web/
Louise Myers says
Perfect. Thanks!
Stephen Hartley says
If you’re moving images from Mac to iPhone and vice versa, I’ve found the simplest way to do it is to use AirDrop, very easy to use, see https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT203106
Louise Myers says
Thanks!
Andrew says
That developer tools tip is next-level genius. Great find.
Louise Myers says
Glad you liked it, Andrew!
Andrew says
Hey Lousie, I have a terrible feeling that this no longer works. I have just tried on Chrome and Opera which were both working yesterday, but it looks like… no longer. Hopefully it is just me.
Andrew says
…Though I have just found a plugin which seems to work – Chrome UA Spoofer. That worked when I set it to Android.
Louise Myers says
I think you’re right. Looks like it’s been disabled.
Amimul Ihsan says
thanks for your awesome post. now i can post photos instagram from pc. and it’s easier too.
thanks for sharing.
Jad says
Is there a way to manage DMs? Messages?
It worked but cant access or manage messages.
Louise Myers says
I don’t see a way to do that. You can post, view the feed, search, like and comment.
Stephen Hartley says
That’s not possible because Instagram have chosen not to include all the functionality that’s available in the (native) app on their mobile site. Try the IG site in your mobile’s browser and you’ll see that messaging, editing posts and certain comment functions (such as replying) are not available.
Of course this is exactly the same view that spoofing the user agent will achieve, and maybe there are more missing features on the mobile site that I’ve not yet noticed. IG really are trying to force users to interact using only their app, very frustrating from a usability point of view…!
Chia says
Hi Louise
Thanks very much for this. But how do I edit the caption? For me the need to use Instagram for PC is so that I can save time typing on mobile, which I’m bad at, because I really like long captions for my pics.
Louise Myers says
You can type a caption (or comment) on desktop, but you can’t edit a previously posted caption.
Chia says
Thanks very much Louise, so when i try to ‘click’ on the three dots in the corner of the picture, I just get Delete, Embed and Cancel (the usual case when we access Instagram on Desktop). That means that I can only type a caption upon uploading a photo from my desktop? I can’t just upload photo from mobile and then type it from nothing on the desktop?
Also I didn’t receive an email alert upon your response to my comment – just thought to let you know in case your intention was to enable such a feature 🙂
Louise Myers says
“I can only type a caption upon uploading a photo from my desktop… I can’t just upload photo from mobile and then type it from nothing on the desktop?”
Yes, that’s exactly right.
I’ll have to check into the comments issue. Maybe the email went to spam? I believe others are receiving them.
Chia says
Thanks! No not in spam. nothing received. I had to check back on this page.
Stephen Hartley says
Other option to avoid typing directly on your mobile is to connect a bluetooth (wireless) keyboard.
Jennifer James says
Thanks so much for doing all this leg work! I tried the first one but my mobile phone (android) was not a choice under the “responsive” tab. I chose Galaxy s5 to see if that worked (it didn’t), but also of note, there was no evidence or way to post from my pc. Would that be obvious if there were an actual Android choice? In other words, what are the next steps after choosing the mobile device type?
Louise Myers says
You would click the center icon at the bottom – the same place you tap and hold on your phone or tablet. All of the choices on my screen show that button (including Galaxy). Maybe you’re not logged in?
It shouldn’t matter which device you choose. It doesn’t have to match your actual device. But Galaxy and Nexus are Android devices.
Ali Abdelkader says
Hello , Thanks For This Great Post i Want To Mention That You Can Upload photos directly from your Computer Browser to your Instagram account without needing your phone, schedule Instagram posts by creating a calendar to publish on the required day and time to get more followers, and manage multiple accounts and post on any account at the same time using InstaGhost.com
Steve Williams says
Hi Louise,
Thanks for your clever Chrome hack tip and all these Instagram tools!
Another app that would fall in the first group is Buffer.
Louise Myers says
OK thanks, Steve!
dzogzen says
Thanks for sharing the Instagram tricks. I spent a lot of time solving the riddle of how to post pics there from desktop. Your article saved my time!
Martin says
Thanks for picking this up Louise! Delighted to see so many enjoying it.
Lori says
Louise ,
Every time I see your pins I learn something new. Thank you for your delightful work.
I am learning tailwind and trying to get my Pinterest account back up and running well.
Louise Myers says
Great to hear, Lori!