How to Post on Instagram From a Computer (Mac or PC)

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Instagram is a bustling social network with over one billion monthly users. While Instagram was initially meant for people to share quick snaps of their daily lives, the app quickly evolved into a curated space where people began putting lots of thought and work behind their Instagram feed themes.

While there are many Instagram feed theme apps to help you manage your feed, many people prefer using their laptops/computers, instead of their phones for their Instagram posts. Unfortunately, it can become tedious to send media back and forth between your computer and phone for Instagram purposes.

Because of this, people need a way to post on Instagram from a computer.

Today, I’m going to show you the easiest way to post on Instagram from a computer (PC or Mac) so that you no longer need to waste time sending your photos to your mobile device just to upload to Instagram!

How to Post on Instagram from Your Laptop (PC or Mac)

If you head over to your Instagram account on your computer, you’ll see that you can like, comment and even view stories, but one functionality is missing: the ability to post on Instagram from your laptop.

Screenshot of Instagram feed
Many of Instagram’s functionality is available on the web, minus the ability to post to Instagram from your computer.

As a business owner who spends most of the day on my computer, posting from my phone is honestly a bit of annoyance, and I’m sure you’ve felt the same way!

So what’s the deal? Is there some secret way to actually post to Instagram from your laptop?

Well, yes, there actually is and I’m going to show you exactly how.

Post to Instagram Using Developer Tools

This method might sound technical, but it’s actually very easy.

Basically, we’re going to be “tricking” Instagram into thinking that we are browsing the app from our phones (but in reality, you’ll be on your computer).

I’m going to include instructions for both a PC and a Mac, so feel free to click to the section you’d like to view:

Post on Instagram from PC (Chrome)

First, head over to www.instagram.com on the Chrome browser and log into your account. Once you are logged in, right-click and click on “Inspect”. You can also simply press “Ctrl+Shift+I”.

This will bring up the developer tools.

Next, click on the icon highlighted below, or press “Ctrl+Shift+M”.

Screenshot of where to access console tools within your internet browser

Along the top bar, you can change the device which you’d like your computer screen to mimic.

Screenshot of an Instagram feed shown on a laptop

You are just about ready to post to Instagram from your computer, but you have one important step left.

You must refresh your screen. If you don’t refresh your screen, you won’t be able to post a photo.

After that, you will notice that your computer screen looks exactly like your phone! All you need to do is click on the “+” icon and upload your picture.

Screenshot of an Instagram feed

Post on Instagram from a Mac (Safari)

Posting on Instagram from a Mac computer is very simple on Safari! First, change your Safari to developer mode by going to “Preferences > Advanced“.

Screenshot of the advanced setting on a Mac laptop

At the very bottom you want to check off “Show Developer menu in menu bar”.

Next, open your Safari browser head over to www.instagram.com and log into your account. In the top bar click “Develop > User Agent > SafariiOS 10 — iPhone“.

Screenshot of a a Mac computer's Develop tab

Your Instagram page will now act as if it is from your phone, where you can click on the “+” sign to upload posts from your Mac laptop.

Screenshot of an Instagram feed shown on a laptop

Can You Upload Multiple Photos to Instagram From a Computer?

Unfortunately, you are not able to upload multiple photos from your computer to Instagram.

However, many Instagram scheduling softwares have this functionality.

Tailwind, for example, is a great example of an Instagram scheduling software that allows you to schedule multiple images from your desktop to be posted to Instagram.

You can sign up for a forever free account to see just how easy it is to schedule your Instagram content straight from your desktop!

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