You can post photos on your Instagram account from your desktop computer. Even though Instagram's app on Windows 10 no longer lets you create new posts, you can still upload (on any operating system) by adjusting settings in Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use Google Chrome
Step 1. Open Google Chrome on your computer
You'll usually find it in the Start menu on a PC or in the applications folder on a Mac.
This method allows you to post an image on Instagram, but you will not have access to all the editing tools
Step 2. Click on the ⋮ menu
It's a button at the top right of Chrome. A drop-down menu should appear.
- If you don't see the icon, click Seen at the top of the screen, then on Developer before selecting Developer Tools. Then go to the fifth step.
Step 3. Click More Tools
You will find this option near the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Choose Developer Tools
It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu. A window with messages will appear on the right of your screen. This is the developer's tools window.
Step 5. Click on the Mobile icon
You'll see it at the top left of the tools window and it should look like a phone above a rectangle. It will turn blue and your browser will now display the page as if you were on a mobile device.
If the icon is already blue, it means you are already in mobile mode
Step 6. Go to Instagram
If you have already registered from your computer, you will see your photo feed as if you were on your phone or tablet.
If you are not registered, click on Connect and follow the instructions that appear on the screen
Step 7. Select ＋
You will find it in the lower part of the screen in the middle. This will allow you to open File Explorer (on Windows) or Finder (on Mac).
Step 8. Choose a photo
You may need to open a folder before you find the photo you want.
Step 9. Click Open
You will find it at the bottom right of the window. This downloads the photo.
Step 10. Edit your image
The possibilities for editing images are limited when you post them from Chrome. You can click the icon with the rotating arrow to rotate the photo or select Filters at the bottom left to find preset filters.
Depending on your computer's security settings, you might not see the filters tab. You can try disabling your privacy control extensions or advertisements to see if that makes a difference
Step 11. Click Next
This blue link is at the top right of the new post page.
Step 12. Enter a Description
Click on Add caption, then type a description for your photo.
If you want to add a location or tag another Instagram user, choose one of these options on the screen
Step 13. Click Share
This is the link in blue that appears at the top right of the page. Your photo will be posted on your Instagram page.
When you want to go back to the normal view, select the X button at the top right of the Developer Tools panel
Method 2 of 3: Use Safari
Step 1. Open Safari
You can do this by clicking on the blue compass that is in the dock, usually at the bottom of the screen.
Step 2. Activate the Developer menu
Skip this step if you already have a "Developer" menu in the toolbar that appears at the top of the screen. If not, here's how to activate it.
- Click on the Safari menu at the top of the screen.
- Select Preferences….
- Choose Advanced.
- Check the box next to Show developer menu in menu bar.
- Close the preferences window.
Step 3. Press ⇧ Shift + ⌘ Cmd + N
This will open a new private window in Safari.
Step 4. Click on the Developer menu
You will find it at the top of the screen.
Step 5. Choose User
You'll find it near the top of the drop-down menu. You will then see a window open.
Step 6. Click Safari - iOS 12 - iPhone
If there is a newer version available, choose it. This allows Safari to be recharged in mobile mode.
Step 7. Go to Instagram
This will take you to the Instagram login page.
Step 8. Log into your account
Follow the instructions on the screen. Once you are logged in, you will see your photo feed.
Step 9. Click ＋
You will see it at the bottom middle of the page. This will open the Finder window.
Step 10. Choose the photo to upload
If it's in a different folder, open it first to find it.
Step 11. Select Choose
You will see it at the bottom right of the window. This will add the photo to your post.
Step 12. Choose a filter (optional)
You will have fewer editing options on this version of Instagram than you would if you were using the phone or tablet version. Click on one of the preset filters to apply it to your photo.
Step 13. Select Next
This blue link appears at the top right of the page.
Step 14. Enter a Description
Click on Add a caption …, then type a description for your photo.
If you want to add a location or tag another Instagram user, choose one of these options on the screen
Step 15. Click Share
This is the blue link that appears at the top right of the page. Your photo will be posted on your Instagram profile.
To return to the normal view on Safari, click on the Developer menu, choose User, then Default
Method 3 of 3: Use Firefox
Step 1. Open Firefox
If you are using Windows, you will find it in the Start menu. On Mac, you'll see it in the Applications folder.
Step 2. Press Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + P (PC) or ⌘ Command + ⇧ Shift + P (Mac).
This will open a new private window.
You can also click on ☰ at the top right of the Firefox window, then on New private window to achieve the same result
Step 3. Select the ☰ button
You'll find it at the top right of Firefox.
Step 4. Select Web Developer
This option is near the bottom of the menu.
Step 5. Click Web Console
You'll find it at the top of the menu. This opens a new panel at the bottom of the Firefox window where you will see lines of code. This panel is called the web console.
Step 6. Go to Instagram
This opens the Instagram login page.
Step 7. Click on the mobile web console icon
You'll find it near the top right corner of the console, the panel at the bottom of the screen. It looks like a small iPhone on top of a square. This changes the login window to look like the one you would see on mobile.
You can also just press Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + M (Windows) or ⌘ Command + ⌥ Option + M (Mac) to produce the same result. If the combination on the keyboard doesn't work, try clicking the web console first
Step 8. Select the Adaptive menu
You'll find it at the top of the page. A list of different mobile phones and tablets will appear.
Step 9. Click on iPhone 6/7/8
You can select the model of your choice. It will just determine the size of the screen you see.
If you see a message at the top of the page that says your changes will not be saved until you reload the page, right click on an empty part of the page to open the context menu and select the button to refresh (an arrow that turns on itself)
Step 10. Click Connect
It's a blue button towards the center of the page.
Step 11. Log into your account
Enter your credentials or click Continue with Facebook to use Facebook to identify you.
Step 12. Select the ＋ button
It's at the bottom of the page. This will open File Explorer (PC) or Finder (Mac) on your computer.
You may need to scroll down the page for the icon with the "+" at the bottom. If so, make sure you scroll through it without letting the mouse over the iPhone screen in the middle of the page
Step 13. Choose a photo
You can do this by opening a folder that contains the photo before clicking once on it.
Step 14. Select the Open button
It is located at the bottom right of the window. This will attach the photo to the new post.
Step 15. Click on the Filters tab
It is located under the photo. This will display a list of filters you can add to your photo.
If you don't see this option, your privacy settings may prevent you from viewing them. Try disabling your browser extensions before trying again
Step 16. Choose a filter
The preview image will update with the filter you chose.
Step 17. Click Next
This blue link is in the top right hand corner of the new post page.
Step 18. Enter a Description
Click on Add a caption …, then type any description you want for the photo.
If you want to add a location or tag another user, choose this option on the screen
Step 19. Tap Share
It’s a blue link at the top right of the page. The photo will be posted on your Instagram page.
To return to a normal view in your browser, click on the X in the top right corner of the web console
Advice
- If you don't want to use your web browser to post photos to Instagram, you can use Gramblr to do so. It is a free application for Windows and Mac.
- BlueStacks is another free option that lets you post photos and use Instagram's mobile app from your computer.
