Instagram is designed to be used on mobile devices. But some use photo editing software on their laptops before posting it to Instagram and some want to post photos while doing some tasks on their PC. And if you are one of those people who want to post photos on Instagram using your laptop, chances are, you’ve experienced how this is not a laptop-friendly process. The good news is, there is an easy way to let you post photos on Instagram from your laptop.
So how do we quickly post photos on Instagram using our laptop? The answer is you have to right-click and select Inspect. Then click the “Toggle device toolbar” option, then select a phone model. After this, you could head to Instagram and enjoy posting your photos at your convenience.
These steps are quite simple and you could actually start it now. However, you could still be lost while navigating in between these steps without the detail of the steps and visual aids. Besides, you might also be using different browsers which would have different steps to follow. You might even wonder why you can’t use all of your mobile Instagram features while using your laptop. Don’t worry because we will give you more workarounds on how to address these issues below.
Posting Photos On Instagram From Laptop
Google Chrome is easily the most used internet browser and comprises more than half of the general internet browser usage. Meanwhile, Safari is the primary browser that is made to run on Apple devices. So in this guide, we will walk you through the detailed steps on how to post your photos to Instagram using these browsers from your laptop. A bonus method is also included that lets you post photos using older versions of laptops.
Using Google Chrome Browser
As we have said, Google Chrome dominates the competition for the most used internet browser. According to StatCounter GlobalStats, Google Chrome is being used to search the internet 66.3% of the time. So make sure to take note of the steps below for you to be able to post photos on your Instagram using Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, right-click, then click Inspect.
- Then find and click the “Toggle device toolbar” on the upper part of your screen.
- After that, select the phone model that you want to emulate on your browser. It is initially set to Responsive, so click it and you will see a dropdown of the list of phones.
- Then go to Instagram and after you have logged in, you will be able to see the “+” sign which would enable you to post photos.
Using Safari Browser
Safari Browser, on the other hand, is the second most-used browser and 16.76% of the traffic made by internet browsers came from it last September 2020, according to StatCounter GlobalStats. So if you are part of the 16.76% who uses Safari, here are the steps that you can follow to be able to post amazing photos to Instagram using it:
- Open your Safari and click the “Safari” tab on the upper part of your browser.
- Go to the “Advanced” tab and tick the “Show Develop menu in the menu bar”.
- Log in to your Instagram account.
- Click the “Develop” tab, then hover your cursor to the “User Agent” section, then choose the “Safari iPhone”. Now, you will be able to see the “+” sign which would enable you to post photos.
Using Bluestacks
Bluestacks is an Android OS emulator. It is a software that imitates an Android phone which makes it seem that you are having an Android phone inside your Windows laptop. It is one step higher than the two previous methods because you will be able to use not only your Instagram but also other Android applications as well. You can also sync your email so that all data that you have inside your phone applications could also be accessed on your Bluestacks. The steps are just simple:
- Download Bluestacks and open it.
- Download Instagram and open it.
- Log in and then post photos.
You could think of this as also a phone, so you would not need many instructions as you should navigate here exactly as how you navigate your Android phone.
This could be your best option if you will be using all or most of the features of Instagram. Using the internet browser from your laptop restricts you from using Filters. You also would have no capability to view and post videos. By using Bluestacks, your only limitation would be the limitation of the Instagram mobile application itself.
Just take note that since Bluestacks is an Android emulator, this takes more space and uses more of your computer’s processor than just using your internet browser. So, if you really do not need all the Instagram features to be on your laptop, you may opt to use your internet browser instead.
Why Can’t I Use Filter When Posting A Photo On Instagram Using My Laptop?
If you are using your internet browser to post photos on social media, chances are, you’ll be one of those who are asking about where to find the Filters. Unfortunately, this is the limitation of using your internet browser to post photos on Instagram. It still is not at par compared to using your phone. Though, the advantage is that you can always use more powerful filters from photo editing software that is available or could be downloaded on your laptop. You might also want to check out our article about the best laptops for photo editing.
Another option is to download applications that are dedicated to opening your Instagram account like Windowed. This software can be used to navigate through your Instagram account like how you do it with your internet browser but has the added feature of being able to use Filters.
Using this software would be better for you if you are not keen on using external programs to edit your photo. After all, it would be faster to do the editing and posting through a single program than if they are separated.
How To Schedule Posts On Instagram Using My Laptop
If you are someone who manages a brand and has a business profile on Instagram, or an influencer, or just a power user who always wants to post on Instagram, then a time-saving trick of scheduling your posts on Instagram might work well for you.
Latelysocial is a website designed to manage your Instagram. All you need to do is go to its website, add a payment method, then choose a plan. Now, if you felt a slight headache when you read that “add a payment method” and “choose a plan” part, don’t worry because there is a zero-dollar plan. And you can still schedule your posts even though you are using it for free.
What’s better is that you can use it with your Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Pinterest, and LinkedIn accounts. You can upload a photo or video and get it from Google Drive, Dropbox, or your laptop. It is actually good for a free application and it will help you organize your posts.
Of course, if it is free, you should understand that it has a limited capacity. Its limit is that the zero-dollar subscription plan only allows you to upload a maximum size of 2 MB. It is really small so if you are serious about organizing your Instagram posts, you should try to upgrade your subscription plan.
Kenny Trinh is a seasoned expert in the field of laptops and technology, boasting an extensive background enriched by years of hands-on experience and in-depth research. With a keen eye for innovation and a passion for staying ahead of the technological curve, Kenny has established himself as a trusted voice in the tech community. Holding a prestigious degree in Computer Science, he combines his academic insights with practical expertise to deliver valuable insights and recommendations to his readers and followers. Through his work, Kenny aims to demystify complex tech concepts, empowering individuals to make informed decisions and optimize their digital experiences.