How to Post Videos on Instagram from PC or Mac (2025 Guide)
July 24, 2019
By
David Olsen
Key Takeaways
You can upload videos to Instagram from your PC or Mac using the web interface, but there are limitations (no Stories/Reels, no scheduling, limited editing)
Sked Social’s Instagram Scheduling tools let you bulk upload, auto-publish, and schedule all video types—including Reels and Stories—from any desktop
Scheduling and managing Instagram videos from desktop is essential for teams, agencies, and brands managing multiple accounts
Optimizing video file size, format, and cover images is crucial for smooth uploads and maximum engagement
Sked Social’s unified platform streamlines collaboration, approval, and analytics for Instagram video campaigns
Why Desktop Instagram Video Uploads Matter in 2025
Instagram is a mobile-first platform, but let’s face it—most social media managers, agencies, and brands do their heavy lifting on desktop. Whether you’re editing videos, collaborating with a team, or managing multiple accounts, uploading from your PC or Mac is a must for efficiency and quality control.
But here’s the catch: Instagram’s web interface only covers the basics. You can upload a single video to your feed, but you can’t schedule posts, upload Stories or Reels, or collaborate with your team. That’s where modern social media management platforms like Sked Social come in—offering a true all-in-one solution for Instagram video publishing, scheduling, and analytics.
Step-by-Step Guide: Uploading Instagram Videos from PC or Mac
Uploading a video to Instagram from your desktop is easier than ever, but there are a few important details to get right.
Select your video file (MP4 or MOV, max 100MB, aspect ratio 4:5 to 16:9)
Crop or trim your video as needed
Choose a cover photo for your video
Add your caption, hashtags, and location
Click “Share” to publish
Limitations:
Only one video per post
No scheduling or drafts
No Stories or Reels uploads
No advanced editing or team collaboration
2. Workarounds for Stories, Reels, and Bulk Uploads
If you need to upload Stories or Reels, or want to schedule posts in advance, you’ll need a workaround:
Browser Developer Tools:
Use Chrome or Safari’s developer tools to emulate a mobile device, which sometimes unlocks additional upload options (but is clunky and unreliable)
Third-Party Tools:
Social media management platforms like Sked Social let you upload, schedule, and auto-publish all Instagram video types—including Stories and Reels—directly from your desktop
3. Scheduling and Managing Instagram Videos with Sked Social
A social media management platform like Sked Social allows you to post and schedule videos directly to Instagram from the comfort of your browser. Which means that you can finally skip the time-consuming transfer of video files to your phone after you’ve completed edits on the piece or received the file from your colleague.
Other advantages of uploading your Instagram feed videos using Sked Social include:
Uploading and scheduling multiple videos at the same time
Posting your videos to your other social media accounts simultaneously
Queueing your videos to pre-selected posting times
Adding a group of hashtags to your first comment
Scheduling carousels
Posting videos to your Instagram Story and more
To start posting videos to Instagram from your PC or Mac using Sked Social, first start by login in to Sked Social or starting a free trial.
After adding your Instagram channels, navigate to your upload dashboard.
In your Sked upload dashboard, choose which Instagram account(s) you want to video to be published on.
Upload your video content from your PC or Mac, or import it from Google Drive or Dropbox. Click Continue.
Add your caption, first comment and emojis. Include hashtags using Sked’s new hashtag recommendation tool.
Schedule your video to go out now or later, or add it to your drafts.
Click Submit and Create Posts.
You can also use Sked Social to store your videos all in one place by uploading them in bulk and sending them to your drafts.
To do this follow steps 1 through 3 (you can choose to leave your captions blank for now) and then click “Send to Drafts” as your scheduling option.
To schedule them at another time, simply access them via your Visual Planner and drag-and-drop them onto your social media feed. For optimal scheduling via the Visual Planner, it’s best to have your Queue set up beforehand!
4. How to post videos on Instagram Stories from PC/Mac Using Sked Social
The most efficient way to post videos to your Instagram Stories is also via Sked Social.
It’s important to note that Instagram allows users to upload videos up to 15 seconds in length to Stories, so be sure to have this video pre-cropped to avoid any surprises once published.
Other advantages of using Sked Social to upload your Instagram videos include:
Easy and quick scheduling and chaining of your Instagram Stories videos
Queueing your Stories for posting at pre-selected, optimal times
Add a link to your Stories via the browser-based dashboard (note: only available on business accounts with more than 10,000 followers)
Example Workflow: A social media manager at a retail brand uses Sked Social to upload a week’s worth of Instagram Reels, schedules them for peak engagement times, and shares the content calendar with the marketing team for feedback—all from their MacBook.
Limitations of Instagram Web Video Uploads
While Instagram’s desktop upload feature is a step forward, it’s still missing key functionality for professional users:
No Scheduling: You can’t plan posts in advance or maintain a consistent posting cadence
No Stories or Reels: The web interface only supports feed videos, not Stories or Reels
No Bulk Uploads: Each video must be uploaded one at a time
No Team Collaboration: There’s no way to assign posts, manage approvals, or track feedback
Limited Editing: No filters, music, or advanced video editing tools
Pro Tip: If you’re managing multiple accounts or need to coordinate with a team, a platform like Sked Social is essential for streamlining your workflow and avoiding missed opportunities.
Collaborate effortlessly, save time and spend less
Why settle for a lackluster social media management tool when you could be using Sked Social? With unlimited collaborator access, streamlined approvals and advanced auto-post technology that lets you schedule to all major platforms, Sked Social offers everything you need.
Best Tools for Scheduling and Managing Instagram Videos
Why Sked Social Is the Go-To Solution
Sked Social’s Instagram Scheduling features are built for modern social media teams:
Multi-Platform Auto-Publishing: Schedule and publish videos, Stories, and Reels across all your accounts from one dashboard
Bulk Upload & Unlimited Posts: Upload dozens (or hundreds) of videos at once—perfect for campaigns and content calendars
First Comment Scheduling: Keep captions clean and move hashtags to the first comment automatically
Visual Calendar & Grid Planner: See your entire Instagram feed before it goes live, ensuring a cohesive brand aesthetic
Team Collaboration: Assign tasks, manage approvals, and keep everyone in the loop with real-time notifications
Unified Analytics: Track video performance, engagement, and ROI across all channels
Customer Example: A digital agency uses Sked Social to manage Instagram video campaigns for 10+ clients, saving over 10 hours per week on manual uploads and reporting.
Expert Tips & Industry Best Practices
Optimize Video Files: Use MP4 format, keep files under 100MB, and choose a 4:5 or 1:1 aspect ratio for best results
Use Engaging Cover Photos: A compelling cover image increases views and engagement
Schedule for Peak Times: Analyze your audience insights to post when your followers are most active (Analytics)
Leverage First Comment Hashtags: Move hashtags to the first comment to keep captions clean and boost reach
Collaborate on Content: Use Sked Social’s Collaboration tools to streamline feedback and approvals
Instagram Video Top Questions & Expert Answers
How do I upload Instagram Stories or Reels from my PC or Mac?
Instagram’s web interface doesn’t support Stories or Reels uploads. Use a platform like Sked Social to schedule and auto-publish Stories and Reels directly from your desktop.
What are the file requirements for Instagram video uploads?
Format: MP4 or MOV
Max file size: 100MB
Aspect ratio: 4:5 to 16:9
Max length: 60 seconds for feed videos, 90 seconds for Reels
Can I schedule Instagram videos from my desktop?
Not with Instagram’s web interface—but Sked Social lets you schedule, queue, and auto-publish videos, Stories, and Reels from any desktop.
How do I troubleshoot Instagram video upload errors?
Check file size and format
Ensure a stable internet connection
Try uploading from a different browser or device
Use a management platform like Sked Social for more reliable uploads
Transform Your Social Media Management with Sked Social
Managing Instagram videos from your PC or Mac shouldn’t be a hassle. The biggest pain points—no scheduling, no Stories/Reels uploads, no team collaboration—are solved with Sked Social’s all-in-one platform. From bulk uploading and auto-publishing to advanced analytics and seamless team workflows, Sked Social empowers you to focus on strategy and creativity, not admin.
Ready to transform your social media workflow? Start your free trial today—no credit card required.
Try Sked Social free for 14 days!
Sked's tools are designed to streamline your workflow, enhance team collaboration, and deliver exceptional results for you and your team.
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