[SOLVED] Uploading Photos To Instagram AND Responding To Comments From Your Laptop Or Desktop

As you probably, Instagram is really a mobile-based application, which means it’s difficult to upload photos to Instagram from your computer. There is a web version of Instagram, but it is VERY limited as to feature-functionality, really just letting you view photos and read comments.

There isn’t a quick, easy way to use the Web to post on Instagram from a computer which kind of sucks for those time when you want to upload vacation photos that are stored on an SD card from your digital camera. Additionally, Instagram has made it so that you cannot respond to comments using their browser-based version of the site.

This means that in order to interact with your followers, you HAVE to type all your responses on your phone or tablet. If you have a lot of engagement, this really sucks.

After an hour of thumb typing replies to comments, you basically want to stick your thumbs in your eyes to end the misery.

As a result, I have been on the hunt for the perfect browser-based Instagram client for quite a while now. I’m been wondering whether you can actually post on Instagram from a computer rather than only from a mobile device.

Over the years, I have tested a bunch of methods and I thought I would detail them here for those who might be interested.

NOTE: As a result of some questions from readers, I also added in some bonus content that helps you add a comment to Instagram from a computer as well as edit your Instagram comments from a laptop or desktop. I hope these help!

So, if you are hunting for the answer to the question of “Can I post on Instagram from my computer”, then read on and hopefully one of the solutions below will fit.

Solution #1 – Use Dropbox To Post To Instagram

My first article on this topic reviewed a few options and then landed on a Dropbox to Instagram solution that has worked really well for me over the years. I wrote this article after spending a couple of hours trying to figure out how to post to Instagram from a computer. The answer came in a two-step process that allows me to add the photos to Dropbox and then share to Instagram from there. 

Basically, I take the photos on my DSLR camera and upload them from the SD card to my Dropbox account. Then, I open the Dropbox mobile app on my phone and upload the photo to Instagram from there.

Dropbox has been my go-to-method for uploading photos from my PC or Mac to Instagram

This worked for a few years, allowing me to upload to Instagram from a computer, but the downside is it doesn’t  allow you to reply to comments in any way. Boo.

Solution #2 – HootSuite to Instagram

After using Dropbox for a few years, Hootsuite came out with their Instagram integration. I gave it a try and laid out the process of using Hootsuite to upload photos to Instagram from your desktop in this follow-up article.

I used Hootsuite to post photos to Instagram for a while, but it was kind of awkward to get to work.

Again, kind of cludgy and not the best user experience and still no way to manage responses to comments.

Solution #3 – The Web For Instagram Chrome Extension

One of my readers mentioned this Chrome Extension to me as an option to BOTH upload photos to Instagram from your desktop AND reply to comments.

Naturally, since this is the goal that I was seeking I HAD to give it a try.

And I wasn’t let down.

The folks at OinkAndStuff (I know…funny name) have put together an OUTSTANDING Chrome Extension that gives you a true Instagram experience through a mini Chrome browser.

• Upload photos directly from your desktop to Instagram – CHECK
• Reply to a comment using your desktop PC or Mac keyboard – CHECK
• Browse Instagram and comment on photos from my desktop – CHECK
• Watch Instagram stories on my desktop – CHECK

Basically, you can do almost everything via their Instagram Chrome extension that you can do in the Instagram mobile app.

About the only thing I have found that I wish I could do is apply a filter when uploading and edit my photo caption to a photo I have already posted. Overall, though, I give it a 9 out of 10.

So, here’s what you need to know to download, install, and use the Web for Instagram Chrome extension.

Downloading and Installing Web for Instagram

First, you need Chrome.

Don’t try to to this with Firefox or Safari. It won’t work. OinkandStuff says they are working on a Firefox extension and I’ll update the post once it is released and I can test it.

To install the extension:

1. Open Chrome
2. Navigate to this link to install the extension
3. On the extension page, click the Add to Chrome button.
4. In the popup that comes up, click the “Add extension” button to allow Chrome to install the extension.

That’s it. It’s installed.

Using Web for Instagram

Now comes the fun part.

You probably noticed that a new mini-browser popped up on your screen that is title “Instagram”. This is the interface you’ll use to interact with Instagram from your desktop.

Web for Insta will walk you through a short tutorial, showing you what all the buttons do. It’s worth the one minute it takes to fully understand all the buttons.

The intro tutorial helps you understand how to post on Instagram from your laptop.

Once you have walked through the tutorial, you will see the Login screen. Click the button to login and enter your credentials.

NOTE: This app is not storing your Instagram credentials, it’s just giving you a view into Instagram to enter them, using Chrome as the browser.

Click the Log In button and enter your credentials and you’ll be logged in to Instagram, just as if you had visited Instagram.com in your browser.

Once you are logged in, you can see your feed and the stories along the top. You can also use the buttons below to interact with Instagram just like you were using the mobile app.

Can I Post Pictures On Instagram From My Computer?

Definitely! If you click the center button that looks like a plus symbol it will open a window to explore your files and upload a photo directly from your desktop.

I navigated to a photo gallery with images of a photo I was trying to sell.

Click on the photo you want to upload and click the “Open” button and Web for Instagram will walk you through the process of posting the photo to Instagram, just like in the mobile app, complete with cropping and adding a description.

About the only thing that is missing is the ability to add a filter, so if you want to do that you’ll need to stick with the Instagram mobile app.

What About Replying To An Instagram Comment From The Web?

Want to add a comment to an Instagram photo from the browser? This is your extension!!

Just click on any photo in your feed or your profile and click the comment button that looks like a conversation bubble. Instagram will open a field for you to add your comment.

You can even add a comment to an Instagram photo from your desktop using this Chrome extension.

Cool, right?!?

What About Using The Windows Instagram App To Upload Photos From Your Computer?

Well it used to work, although pretty clunky. It appears, however, that Instagram removed the ability to actually add photos using the Windows 10 app from the Microsoft store. You can still login, view photo, like, comment, etc…but they removed the ability to upload photos. 

For that reason, I still don’t use the Windows app for Instagram. 

So, there you have it. Mystery solved.

We can all finally upload photos from our desktops or laptops to Instagram. I’m looking forward to using this Chrome extension and testing it further.

If you use the extension and like it or hate it, be sure to leave a comment and let me know what works and doesn’t. Be sure to let the developers know on their Chrome extension page so they can get the kudos for the great work or know what could be improved.

Cheers!

–Sean

Share This Post With A Pin!