Instagram is a popular photo-sharing social media network that is often accessed via mobile apps. However, unlike other social networks, there is no desktop version. This poses a problem for many users who wish to access the functionality from their desktop computers.
Let’s say you’re a social media manager for a well-known brand. The last thing you want to do is remember if you accidentally posted branded content on your personal Instagram account (or, worse, the other way around) just because you’re logged into both accounts on your phone.
Or, it might be easier to upload company posts and videos from your desktop than to leave your smartphone open at work. Also, your company files may be easier to access from a desktop computer than from a mobile device.
For example, if you use Photoshop to edit a business photo, it may be easier to click “Upload” on your desktop after editing, than to send the same photo or video to your mobile phone. Maybe you prefer a larger desktop screen. Or, you may not have access to a smartphone so you can’t download apps on your phone.
For all these reasons, you may be wondering, “Can I post to Instagram from my computer?” We have good news – there is a solution for you. Let’s dive into that next.
How to Use Instagram on Desktop
Although Instagram offers a desktop version, the social platform is primarily intended for use within the app, which means that some features may be a bit more complicated from your computer. It is possible to post to Instagram from your computer by adjusting the mobile view on your desktop browser.
Whether you’re on a Mac or a PC, you can use some tricks to post on Instagram from your desktop computer. However, the instructions vary depending on the browser you are using.
FOR CHROME BROWSERS
- Go to Instagram in Chrome. The first thing to do is go to https://www.instagram.com/ by opening Chrome and typing in the navigation bar.
- Click the three dots in the upper right corner of the browser. This will take you to the “Settings” menu. You can find three vertical dots in the top menu on the right. Click to open the drop-down menu.
- Scroll down the drop-down menu to “More Tools” and click “Developer Tools”. When you find Developer Tools in Google Chrome, you will have access to the menu that opens on the right side of the window. This gives you more control over how your browser displays content and allows you to post to Instagram using Chrome on your desktop.
- Click the “Toggle Device Toolbar” mobile button. Press the mobile toggle to change to the mobile version of Instagram. In the upper left corner of the new window, you will see two corner icons representing tablets and mobile devices. Click on it to open the Device Toolbar, giving you advanced control over your browser.
- Select the desired mobile device from the drop-down menu. Change the responsive design on your desktop to look like Instagram on a mobile copy. Another drop-down menu with a list of mobile devices appears on the device toolbar. Selecting one of these tells the browser to simulate the appearance of the website on the selected device. Select the desired mobile device and size from the drop-down menu.
- Refresh the page to see the Instagram mobile interface in your browser. Then you can use Instagram directly from the emulation, or close the right panel to keep the “mobile look”.
- Upload your posts to Instagram just like on your mobile device. You can upload posts to Instagram just like you would on a mobile device. Just tap the “+” sign. You can add filters, captions, locations, and tags like you would normally do while on mobile.
FOR SAFARI BROWSERS
Posting on Instagram while on Safari follows the same process for the Chrome browser instructions listed above.
- Open Instagram website in Safari browser.
- Click “Safari”, then choose Preferences from the menu bar.
- Click on “Advanced” and select the “Show development menu” in menu bar by checking the box.
- Click “Develop” on the menu bar and then scroll down to “User Agent”.
- Select the desired mobile device from the drop-down menu.
- Refresh the page to see the Instagram mobile interface in your browser.
- Upload your posts to Instagram as if you were doing it on your phone.
You no longer have to worry about transferring pictures to a mobile device or juggling between your work’s and personal social media accounts. You can thrive on Instagram effectively and productively from now on. The sky isn’t just your limit but starting point. Go ahead and start creating engaging posts to grow your audience.
