Access Instagram on a PC

This article teaches you how to access your Instagram account using a personal computer. You can view, like, and comment on posts on the website, but you cannot upload pictures or access direct messages.[1]

Steps

Using the Instagram Website

  1. Go to the Instagram website.
  2. Log in. Do so by entering your Instagram username and password, then click on “Log in.” If you use your Facebook account to access Instagram, click “Log in with Facebook” and follow the prompts to sign in.
  3. View your feed. The feed over the Web is the same as the one you'd see on a mobile device. You can "like", as well as comment on photos.
  4. Click on ♡. It's in the upper-right corner of the window. Doing so takes you to the notifications page, where you can see who has liked or commented on your photos.
  5. Click the profile icon. It's in the upper-right corner of the window. You'll be able to view your photos, interact with commenters, and delete comments you don’t want to see.
    • You cannot add or delete photos over the Web.
  6. Follow or unfollow other users. To add or remove an Instagram user, search for their account in the search field at the top of the screen, then click their profile. Click on “Follow” to follow, or click on “Following” to unfollow a user.

Using the Official App on a Touchscreen PC

  1. Open the Windows Store and download Instagram. Search for "Instagram". Select the app with the official logo, and install it. You'll receive a notification when the installation is complete.
    • The posting and editing functions in Instagram for Windows 10 are only available on tablets and PCs with touch screens and backward facing cameras.[2]
  2. Log in to your Instagram account.
  3. Post as you would on your mobile device.

Using BlueStacks

  1. Go to the BlueStacks website. The BlueStacks App Player is a free Android emulator that allows you to run Android apps on your desktop or laptop.
  2. Click on Download BlueStacks. It's a blue button in the upper-right corner of the window.
    • Follow the onscreen prompts to install BlueStacks on your computer.
    • When installing BlueStacks, check the "App store access" option if it's not checked already.
  3. Open BlueStacks. It's icon looks like four squares of different colors stacked on top of one another.
  4. Click on the "Search" button. It's a magnifying glass in the upper-left corner of the window.
  5. Search for the Instagram app. Begin typing "Instagram" in the text field, and then click on its icon when it appears.
  6. Sign into BlueStacks using your Google account. After selecting the Google Play Store option, you will be prompted to log in with your Google account. You can create an account directly in BlueStacks if you don't have one, or you can sign in with your existing account.
  7. Download the Instagram app. Open the Instagram app page in the Google Play Store. Click on Install, and then click on Accept. Instagram will be downloaded and installed into BlueStacks.
  8. Open Instagram. Click on the app from the BlueStacks home screen.
    • Enter your user ID and password to log in the first time.
  9. Upload a picture.
    • Click the Camera button at the bottom of the Instagram screen.
    • Click the "Other Files" button to the left of the shutter button in the Camera window.
    • Click the "Pick from Windows" option at the bottom of the list.
    • Browse your computer for the file you'd like to upload.
  10. Apply Instagram effects and add a caption. Once you've chosen your image, you can crop and edit it just like you would on your phone. You can apply filters and add a caption. Hashtag-on-Instagram to make your pictures easier to find with searches.
  11. Share the photo. Once you've finished editing your photo, you can share it with your Instagram followers. You can also send images to specific users instead of sharing it with your entire list of followers.

Tips

  • You can virtually install any Android app in BlueStacks.

Warnings

  • Instagram is very strict with its content and limits web access to it.[3] As a result, there are fewer third-party web viewers than there were in the past.

Related Articles

  • Use iOS Photo Filters
  • Make a Profile in Instagram
  • View Private Instagram Photos

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ https://help.instagram.com/1727817804164938/?ref=hc_fnav
  2. ↑ https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/10/13/instagram-app-for-windows-10-expands-to-pc-and-tablets/#uzmEUkBkQRXYFt9a.97
  3. ↑ http://thenextweb.com/dd/2015/11/17/instagram-limits-developer-api-access-with-new-app-review-process/
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