In August 2016, Instagram unveiled a feature called Instagram Stories, which allows users to post a series of photos and videos that stay online for 24 hours before disappearing. It is a totally new way to interact with users within the app. Moreover, thanks to its user-friendly interface, it is not difficult to learn how to use it.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Having Instagram
Step 1. Download the app
Search for "Instagram" in the App Store or Play Store of your iPhone or Android device, respectively. When you find it, tap "Install" to download it.
Step 2. Open the app
Tap the Instagram app on the mobile home screen to open it.
Step 3. Open an account
If you don't already have it, tap "Sign up" at the bottom of the screen and follow the instructions given to you to open an account.
Step 4. Log in
If you already have an account, enter your username and password in the corresponding fields, then tap "Login".
Part 2 of 4: Using Instragram Stories
Step 1. Open the application
Search for it on your phone and tap it to open it.
Step 2. Log in
If you haven't done so already, enter your username and password in the corresponding fields, then tap "Login".
Step 3. Tap the "Your Story" button
It is located at the top left, represented by a blue circle containing the + symbol.
Step 4. Allow access to the camera and microphone
If this is your first time taking a photo or video on Instagram, you need to give permission to use the microphone and camera. Tap "Allow" or "Activate" when prompted, this will open the Instagram Stories screen.
Step 5. Change the direction of the camera
If your mobile has both front and back, you can tap the rotating arrows at the bottom right to change the direction the camera is pointing.
Step 6. Take a photo
Tap the white circle at the bottom of the screen to do this.
Step 7. Shoot a video
Touch and hold the white circle at the bottom of the screen to start doing this. Release the button to end the video.
Step 8. Draw on the photo or video
When you've taken a photo or video, tap the marker icon at the top right to draw.
- The icons located in the center of the top of the screen allow you to choose between three different types of markers.
- Choose a color to draw by tapping the colored circles at the bottom of the screen.
- You can undo the work step by step by tapping the "Undo" button at the top left.
- Tap "Done" at the top right once you are happy with the design.
Step 9. Add a caption
Tap the "Aa" key to open the keyboard. Once the caption has been written, tap anywhere on the screen to add it to the photo.
- Touch and drag the caption to change its position.
- Using two fingers, squeeze, pull or rotate the caption to change its size and orientation.
Step 10. Add a filter to the photo
Swipe left or right to see several and choose one.
Step 11. Save the photo
Tap the down arrow at the bottom right to save the photo to your mobile.
Step 12. Add the photo to your story
Tap the arrow in the white circle to upload the photo. At this point all your followers will be able to see it.
Step 13. Add another photo to the story
Tap the Instagram Stories button in the top left again to add more photos and videos.
Part 3 of 4: Editing an Instagram Story
Step 1. Open the story
In the banner below the Instagram logo at the top of the screen, look for the preview of your profile photo on the left, indicated by "Your Story". Tap it to open it.
Step 2. See who viewed it
If someone opens it, you'll see an eye icon with a number next to it at the bottom of the screen. Tap it to see the list of followers who viewed the photo.
- If you've posted multiple photos, you can also swipe left and right thumbnails at the top of the screen to see who viewed each individual photo.
- Once you're done, tap the X in the top right.
Step 3. Tap the "Options" button, represented by three dots at the bottom right
Several options will appear. Here you can:
- Save the photo to your mobile.
- Share the photo as a permanent post on Instagram.
- Change the story settings.
Step 4. Open the history settings
You can find them by tapping the "Options" button of the story.
Step 5. Change the privacy of the story
The menu that appears will show you two options to control the disclosure of the story:
- Tap "Hide story to" to open your followers list. Search or type the names of the users you want to exclude from viewing the story. At this point, tap "Done" at the top right.
- Tap "No" in the "Allow replies to messages" section to prevent all Instagram users from replying directly to the story with text messages. Tap "People You Follow" to limit replies to users you follow too.
Part 4 of 4: Watching other user's Instagram Stories
Step 1. Tap a user's preview on the story line
On your account home page, you can see a series of previews of people you follow and who have uploaded photos in the last 24 hours. Tap one to open the story.
Step 2. Switch between photos within the same story
Tap on the image you opened to see the next one posted by the user.
Step 3. Switch between stories
Swipe left or right to see other stories that have been posted in the past 24 hours.
Step 4. Comment on a story
Tap the "Send Message" button at the bottom left to get in touch with the user who posted it.
If you don't see the "Send Message" button, this means that your privacy settings are preventing some or all of your followers from replying to Stories directly
Advice
- If you see a photo that you think is inappropriate, you can report it by tapping the "Options" button at the bottom right and "Report".
- Instead of taking a photo on the spot, you can swipe up or down depending on your mobile model to select an image you have saved.
