How to post on Instagram from a PC or Mac?

Content Marketer and Writer
Updated 18 April, 2024
Julia Moore
Content Marketer and Writer
October 2021 was a month of changes for Instagram. For example, there is no IGTV in the app anymore. In addition, if previously it was possible to publish posts only from the Instagram app, now it can be done from a web version without any detours. That's right, now you can do it from your computer. In this article, we're going to tell you about how to add posts on Instagram from your PC or Mac.
Reading time — 8 minutes

What can I upload to Instagram from a PC or Mac?

The web version of Instagram has always existed. But earlier it was suitable only for visiting users' accounts and watching their Stories. That's it. And now, users can post on IG from a computer, not only in the app.

You read it right, you can upload photos or videos to the Instagram feed from a PC as well as from Mac. Of course, the features range is still not so wide. For example, you can't share Reels, Stories, or start a live video from computers.

What can I do from the IG desktop web browser?

What can you do on Instagram from a desktop? It's a good question, and we have an answer to it. This is a list of features that are available in a PC or Mac browser:

  • add posts;
  • leave comments;
  • send reactions and comments to Instagram stories;
  • follow, unfollow, and block accounts;
  • delete your posts or stories;
  • send messages;
  • search for profiles;
  • view your saved posts;
  • use hashtags.

How to post photos on Instagram from PC or Mac

Instagram greatly surprised us with the fact that it's possible not only to share posts but also to use most of the app posting features. For instance, you can choose an aspect ratio, add links, captions, alt text, apply a filter, and you can even post a carousel post.

Read this step-by-step guide on how to post a photo via the desktop Instagram version.

01. Log in to your profile in the web version of Instagram and choose the plus icon.e

Tapping the plus in the Instagram feed on a desktop PC

02. Hit Select from computer and choose a photo that you'd like to upload.

Tapping the Select from computer button on Instagram in the PC browser

03. Instagram automatically crops your post in an aspect ratio of 1:1. If you want to change it, just click the size icon in the left bottom. You can choose either the original size, or the aspect ratio of 4:5, 16:9, or leave 1:1.

Tapping the size button in the Instagram posting menu on a desktop

04. In addition, you can select the area that will be shown in the post by simply zooming in. To do this, select the magnifying glass icon in the lower left corner.

05. Drag the slider to zoom in on the photo.

Adjusting the photo size when posting on Instagram on a Macbook

06. You can create a photo carousel. Hit the carousel icon in the lower right corner.

07. Click the plus icon in the pop-up menu to attach more photos.

Adding slides to an instagram post in the desktop browser

08. If you want to change the order of images, just click and drag the photo to the right place.

09. When everything is ready, click Next.

Uploading photos to an Instagram carousel post and tapping Next on a Macbook

10. In the next step, you can add a filter and play around with the image settings in the Adjustments section.

Highlighted Filter and Adjustments tab in the desktop Instagram photo editor

11. Then hit Next.

Tapping Next when posting on Instagram from a PC

12. To write a caption to the publication, click the Write a caption field under your username and type the text.

Writing a caption to an Instagram post in the desktop browser

13. You can tag a person in a post. To do this, click the photo and enter the person's username in the Tag box.

Tagging users in an Instagram post on a computer

14. Specify your geolocation to increase the likelihood of getting a post in the recommendations. To do this, hit Add location and choose the desired place.

Adding a location when posting to Instagram on a computer

15. You can manually add an alt to each photo. For that, click Accessibility.

Tapping the Accessibility settings in the Instagram posting menu
According to Instagram, alt is needed for people with vision impairments. It helps them to understand what is depicted in the image. Moreover, the alt text helps optimize your post. Then it is more likely that it will get into the recommendations.

16. Write the text in the field next to each photo.

Writing alt texts for photos when posting to Instagram in the desktop browser

17. If you want to disable likes display or comments, then move to Advanced settings.

Tapping the Advanced settings in the Instagram posting menu on a Macbook

18. Click the slider next to one or both options to hide like count or disable comments under the post.

Activating the Turn off commenting feature for the new Instagram post

19. When all the steps are done, click Share.

Tapping Share in the Instagram posting menu on a PC

Done! You've just posted on Instagram from your Mac or PC.

Notification about successful posting to Instagram on a computer

How to post a video to Instagram from a computer

You can also post videos on Instagram from your PC. Here are detailed instructions on how to do it.

  1. Log in to your profile in the web version of Instagram and click the plus icon.
Tapping the plus in the Instagram feed on a desktop

02. Hit Select from computer and choose a photo that you want to upload to Instagram.

Tapping the Select from computer button on Instagram in the desktop browser

03. Instagram will automatically crop your post in a 1:1 ratio. If you want to change this resolution, click the size icon in the lower left corner. You can choose either the original size, or the aspect ratio of 4:5, 16:9, or leave 1:1.

Tapping the size button in the Instagram posting menu on a desktop

04. Create a video carousel. Hit the carousel icon in the lower right corner.

05. Hit the plus icon to add more media files.

Adding slides to an instagram video post in the desktop browser

06. If you want to change the order of videos, just click and drag the file to the right place.

07. When everything is ready, hit Next.

Uploading videos to an Instagram carousel post and tapping Next

08. In the next step, you can choose a cover. Upload an image or select a video freeze-frame to be displayed in your feed.

Choosing frame as an Instagram video post preview

09. If necessary, trim the video by sliding the borders.

10. Turn off the sound by hitting the slider next to Video Sound On.

11. Then hit Next.

Adjusting the video length and turning off the sound when posting to Instagram on a computer

12. Add a caption to the Instagram post. To do this, click the Write a caption field under your username.

Writing th post caption when posting to Instagram from a PC

13. Tag the person in the post. For that, click Tag people.

14. Enter the person's username in the Tag field.

Tagging users on an Instagram video when posting

15. If you wish, add geolocation. Click Add location and specify the place where this video was made.

Adding the location tag to an Instagram post

16. If you want to add your alt to each file, move to Accessibility.

Tapping the accessibility settings in the post editing menu on Instagram

17. Next to each video file, write the necessary information in the field.

Writing alt texts for videos when posting to Instagram in the desktop browser

18. Click Advanced settings to hide like count or disable comments.

Tapping the Advanced settings in the Instagram posting menu

19. Hit the slider next to one or both options.

Activating the Turn off commenting feature for the new Instagram post

20. When all the steps are done, hit Share.

Tapping Share in the Instagram posting menu

That's it! You uploaded the video to Instagram from your computer.

Notification about successful posting a video to Instagram from a PC

I can't find the feature to post on Instagram from my computer. Why?

Instagram puts updates in place gradually. So don't be surprised if your friend has a button for posting via a web browser, but you don't. 

But waiting for the grass to grow isn't a good idea either if you want to use Instagram on a computer. Instead, try to follow the steps below:

  • log out of your Instagram account and log in again;
  • delete the browser cache;
  • log into your account via incognito mode;
  • try logging into your profile through another browser.

Why sometimes it’s more convenient to post on Instagram from a PC than from the app

In some cases, it is much more convenient to use a PC and Mac to post on Instagram. Let's look at some examples.

  • If your photos and videos you want to share are saved on your computer, it is reasonable to upload them on Instagram from a desktop. Then, you avoid the redundant actions of downloading them to your phone, and the phone memory doesn't overflow. 
  • Perhaps it's just more convenient for you to post photos looking into a big screen than to do it on a smaller smartphone screen.
  • Making a post via a computer will save you from such undesirable errors. For example, if your work is connected with Instagram, then adding a post to the wrong account is a piece of cake. 

And this is only a small part of the reasons to make posts on Instagram on a desktop.

By the way, if you work in social media, then you need to competently manage your Instagram. It should attract followers and clients not only with information but also with the visual side of your profile.

Don't forget about the bio part. Attach your website link to it. You can create a website on Taplink for free. This service allows you to share multiple links, photos, videos in your bio. Below are examples of pages made using one of Taplink templates. If you like them, follow the links to create your page using the same templates after a sign-up.

Travel blogger’s Instagram link in bio page made on TaplinkTaplink page with links to a clothing shop catalog categories and a promo campaign section made for an Instagram profileInstagram link in bio page made for a coffee shop with reservation and delivery buttons

Let’s recap

In the fall of 2021, Instagram released important updates for the app but also didn't forget about the desktop version. Now, users can add posts to the Instagram feed from a PC.

Make posts and edit them, create carousels, write captions, tag users and feel free to post your masterpieces on Instagram from a computer.

If you don't have this feature in your desktop browser, then try the following methods:

  • re-log into your account;
  • clear the cache;
  • sign in via the incognito mode;
  • log in through another browser.