This article explains how to use a computer's internet browser to post a photo on Instagram. Even if the Instagram app for Windows 10 no longer allows the publication of new images on the social network, it is still possible to publish a new post (using any operating system) by changing some configuration settings of Chrome, Firefox or Safari.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using Google Chrome
Step 1. Launch Google Chrome on your computer
Normally, you can find it in the "Start" menu on a PC or in the "Applications" folder on a Mac.
This method allows you to publish an image on your Instagram profile, but it will not be possible to make any changes to the photo using the tools made available by the platform
Step 2. Click on the ⋮ button
It's located in the upper right corner of the Chrome window. A drop-down menu will appear.
If the button is not visible, click on the menu View placed at the top of the screen, then on the item Developer and finally click on the item Developer tools. At this point, jump directly to step number 5.
Step 3. Select the item Other tools
It is displayed at the bottom of the pop-up menu that appeared.
Step 4. Click on Developer Tools option
It is the last submenu item that appeared next to the first one. A new tab will appear on the right of the Chrome window, where you will find the source code of the web page along with other information and tools. This is the Developer Tools window.
Step 5. Click on the "Toggle device toolbar" icon
It is displayed in the upper left corner of the "Developer Tools" tab and depicts a stylized smartphone and tablet. The icon will turn blue and the browser window will display the content as if you were using a mobile device.
If the indicated icon is already blue, it means that the mobile view mode is already active
Step 6. Visit the website
If you are already signed in with your Instagram account on your computer, the main profile screen will appear as if you were using a smartphone or tablet.
If you have not yet logged in, click on the Login item and follow the instructions that will appear on the screen to log in
Step 7. Click on the ＋ button
It is located in the lower center of the page. The "File Explorer" (on Windows) or "Finder" (on Mac) window will appear.
Step 8. Select the photo you want to post
In some cases, you will first need to access the folder where the image you want to post on Instagram is stored.
Step 9. Click the Open button
It is located in the lower right corner of the appeared window. The chosen photo will be uploaded to the Instagram platform.
Step 10. Edit the image
The changes you can make to the photo are limited when using Chrome. You can click on the "Rotate" icon located in the lower right part of the preview image or you can click on the Filter icon located in the lower left corner to use one of the predefined filters.
Depending on your computer's security settings, the "Filters" tab may not be visible. In this case, you can try changing your privacy settings or disabling the extension you use to block advertisements and pop-ups to see if the situation improves
Step 11. Click on the Next item
It's the blue link located at the top right of the "New Post" page.
Step 12. Enter a description
Click on the text field "Write a caption …", then enter the description you want to attach to the chosen photo.
If you also want to tag the location or another Instagram user, click on one of the two options displayed on the screen
Step 13. Click on the blue Share link
It is located at the top right of the page. The photo you have chosen will be published on your Instagram profile.
When you are ready to return to the normal browser view mode, click on the X-shaped icon located in the upper right corner of the Developer Tools panel
Method 2 of 3: Using Safari
Step 1. Launch Safari
Click on the compass icon visible on the Mac Dock which is normally docked at the bottom of the screen.
Step 2. Enable the display of the "Development" menu
If the menu is already visible on the menu bar, you can skip this step; otherwise follow these instructions:
- Click on the Safari menu visible at the top of the screen;
- Click on Preferences…;
- Click on the Advanced tab;
- Select the check button "Show the Development menu in the menu bar";
- Close the "Preferences" window.
Step 3. Press the key combination ⇧ Shift + ⌘ Cmd + N
A new Safari window will appear in private browsing mode.
Step 4. Click on the Develop menu
It is visible at the top of the screen.
Step 5. Select the User agent option
It is visible at the top of the pop-up menu that appeared. A new submenu will appear next to the first one.
Step 6. Click on Safari - iOS 12 - iPhone option
If there is a newer iOS version available, select it without delay. This will activate the viewing mode of Safari for mobile devices.
Step 7. Visit the website
You will be redirected to the Instagram login page.
Step 8. Log into your Instagram account
Follow the on-screen instructions to log in. At the end of this step, the main screen of your profile will be displayed.
Step 9. Click on the ＋ button
It is located in the lower center of the page. The "Finder" window will be displayed.
Step 10. Select the photo you want to post
In some cases, you will first need to access the folder where the image you want to post on Instagram is stored.
Step 11. Click the Select button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window. The photo will be attached to the new post.
Step 12. Select a filter (optional)
This version of Instagram offers fewer tools for editing images than you can use using the mobile app. Click on one of the predefined filters to apply it to the photo in question.
Step 13. Click on the Next item
It's the blue link located at the top right of the "New Post" page.
Step 14. Enter a description
Click on the text field "Write a caption …", then enter the description you want to attach to the chosen photo.
If you also want to tag the location or another Instagram user, click on one of the two options displayed on the screen
Step 15. Click on the blue Share link
It is located at the top right of the page. The photo you have chosen will be published on your Instagram profile.
To return to the normal Safari view mode, click on the Development menu, select the User Agent option, then choose the Default item
Method 3 of 3: Using Firefox
Step 1. Launch Firefox
If you are using a Windows computer, you will need to go to the "Start" menu. If you are using a Mac, you will find the corresponding icon inside the Applications folder.
Step 2. Press the key combination Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + P (on PC) or ⌘ Command + ⇧ Shift + P (on Mac).
A new Firefox window will open for you to browse anonymously.
Alternatively, you can click on the ☰ button located at the top right of the Firefox window and click on the New anonymous window option
Step 3. Click on the ☰ button
It is located in the upper right corner of the Firefox window.
Step 4. Click on the Web Development item
It is displayed at the bottom of the appeared menu.
Step 5. Click on the Web Console option
It is located at the top of the appeared menu. A new panel will appear at the bottom of the Firefox window showing the page's source code, along with other developer information. The panel that appeared is called "Web Console".
Step 6. Visit the website
You will be redirected to the Instagram login page.
Step 7. Click on the "Flexible View Mode" icon of the "Web Console" panel
It is located in the upper right corner of the panel displayed at the bottom of the Firefox window. It features a stylized smartphone and tablet. This will enable mobile view mode and the page content will be adapted accordingly.
Alternatively, press the key combination Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + M (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + ⌥ Option + M (on Mac). If the key combination shown does not have the desired effect, try clicking on the "Web Console" panel first
Step 8. Click on the Flexible menu
It is visible at the top of the page. A list of mobile device templates will be displayed.
Step 9. Click on iPhone 6/7/8 option
You can choose any of the models shown. This will determine the screen size of the device you want to use.
If a message appears at the top of the window that the changes you made will not be stored until you refresh the page, right-click on an empty spot on the Firefox tab to display the context menu, then click on the " Reload current page "characterized by a curved arrow
Step 10. Click on the blue Login button
It is displayed in the center of the page.
Step 11. Log in with your Instagram account
Enter your login credentials or click the Continue with Facebook button to authenticate with your Facebook profile.
Step 12. Click on the ＋ button
It is located in the lower center of the page. The "File Explorer" (on Windows) or "Finder" (on Mac) window will appear.
To be able to click on the button ＋ you may need to scroll down the page. In this case, make sure that the mouse cursor is not positioned on the image corresponding to the iPhone screen displayed in the center of the page.
Step 13. Select the photo you want to post
In some cases, you will first need to access the folder where the image you want to post on Instagram is stored. Click on the photo only once.
Step 14. Click the Open button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window. The photo will be attached to the new post.
Step 15. Click on the Filter tab
It is located at the bottom of the photo. A list of all the filters you can apply to the image will be displayed.
If the indicated tab is not visible, it means that your privacy settings may be causing a conflict with the "Web Console" panel. Try disabling any add-ons you have installed on Firefox and try again
Step 16. Select a filter
The preview of the image will be modified according to the chosen filter.
Step 17. Click on the Next item
It's the blue link located at the top right of the "New Post" page.
Step 18. Enter a description
Click on the text field "Write a caption …", then enter the description you want to attach to the chosen photo.
If you also want to tag the location or another Instagram user, click on one of the two options displayed on the screen
Step 19. Click on the blue Share link
It is located at the top right of the page. The photo you have chosen will be published on your Instagram profile.
To return to the normal browser view mode, click on the X-shaped icon located in the upper right corner of the "Web Console" panel
Advice
- If you don't want to use the internet browser to post an image on Instagram, you can use Gramblr to achieve the goal. It is a free program available for both Windows and Mac computers.
- BlueStacks is another free option that allows you to use the Instagram mobile app directly on your computer.
Warnings
- The Instagram app for Windows 10 no longer allows you to post an image directly from your computer. Now you can use the Windows 10 Instagram app only to send other users an image captured with the webcam or to share a story via direct message.
- On your Instagram profile it is also possible to publish large images using the app directly to crop it or by creating a mosaic of images using an iPhone or an Android device.
