Most social media outlets only allow users to upload pictures and videos via mobile phone. It's part of the allure of social media platforms like Instagram: with a quick button push and photo snap, you can post or broadcast yourself to the world.

At least, that may be true for some of us.

Others, including perfectionists and professionals, insist on editing their photos and videos outside of Instagram before uploading their retouched media back onto their Instagram accounts. If you fall into the latter group, read on to find out all the ways you can upload edited work onto Instagram!

Note: This article assumes that you're already familiar with the Instagram social media platform. If you aren't, first check out our tips and tricks for using Instagram like a pro.

How to Upload to Instagram From Your PC

It can be a hassle to switch from your PC to your phone just to upload a picture. After all, we live in the age of the Internet of Things.

What if you don't have a smartphone in the first place? Hard to believe, I know. Nevertheless, here's how to upload Instagram photos and videos from your PC.

Using Google Chrome

Developer features in internet browsers are a beautiful, but often unused, thing. For example, did you know you can emulate mobile apps and websites directly from your Google Chrome browser?

For starters, log in to your Instagram account as you would regularly within your browser. Then, navigate to your profile page by clicking the profile icon to the top right of the page.

how to upload edited photos and videos to instagram

From your page, right-click an empty space and select Inspect. This will open your Inspect page, which developers use to test and copy code.

how to upload edited photos and videos to instagram

Click on the three horizontal dots (the default options icon) to the far right-hand side of the window and select the right-most icon beside the Dock side option. This will shift the layout of the Inspect panel to the right.

Then, click on the devices icon located at the top right of your horizontal Inspect panel (also pictures above, next to the Elements tab). On mouse-over, it should read "Toggle device toolbar". A small options panel should pop up over your Instagram web page.

how to upload edited photos and videos to instagram

Change options as you see fit in order to view your page correctly. They page should also have been rearranged to more closely resemble a mobile browser.

Then, change the Responsive option by clicking the dropdown menu and selecting your choice of mobile OS. I'll choose the Samsung S5 option since I'm an Android user. Finally, refresh your page and your bottom icons---including the upload icon---should appear.

how to upload edited photos and videos to instagram

That's it! You can now use Instagram on your Chrome browser just as you would on your mobile device! To switch back to the previous Instagram version, click the X at the top right of the Inspect window. If you need to resize your web page window, press Ctrl + Plus or Ctrl + Minus on your keyboard to zoom in and out the page.

Using an Android Emulator

The world of PC tinkering is almost infinite given how much technology you can emulate from a desktop. Everything from calculators to alternate operating systems can run from your PC---you can even run Android on your computer.

Below is the quickly edited image I created in Photoshop, which I'll upload to Instagram.

how to upload edited photos and videos to instagram

Keep in mind, all of the specifications of image quality regarding the platform apply no matter what method you're using to upload. I'm using Nox as my Android emulator, but the process is largely the same for all emulators.

First, download and install your emulator. Remember that emulators require a large portion of your processing power. Once you've installed your emulator, open it. The default Android setup will begin, so proceed to enter your Google information so you can access applications and settings. Then, install Instagram as you would any other app.

Nox allows users to drag and drop their files into the window, making file transactions a breeze. Drag and the drop the file you want to upload to Instagram.

how to upload edited photos and videos to instagram

Next, choose the Open Noxplayer folder option to ensure you've uploaded your files. Your file now sits within a repository that Nox can use. You should now be able to open Instagram---as you would on any mobile device---and upload your image via the default upload page.

how to upload edited photos and videos to instagram

You'll see your newly added image or video in your Instagram gallery section. If you do not see your image in this page, close the application and reopen. After you've selected your photo, click Next on the top-right corner of your of your screen.

how to upload edited photos and videos to instagram

Navigate through Instagram's prompts and select Share at the end of the process. Finally, head to your Instagram page by selecting the person icon on the bottom right of the application to verify the upload was successful.

how to upload edited photos and videos to instagram

That's it! Just like that, you've uploaded handcrafted creation directly to Instagram from your PC!

How to Upload to Instagram From Your Phone

Yes, you could always send an image via email and upload it to Instagram on your phone. That method, however, can be very annoying. Transferring files between phones and PCs typically involved a third-party application. Luckily, there are plenty of android applications available in the Play Store to do just this.

Using Android or iOS Phones

AirDroid ranks as my top favorite file transfer app for three reasons: it's free, it works, and it's available for both Android and iOS.

how to upload edited photos and videos to instagram

Simply download both the desktop and Android/iOS apps and run them. Either AirDroid device should locate the other automatically. If not, open your desktop AirDroid app by double-clicking the popup arrow that appears on your screen.

how to upload edited photos and videos to instagram

Then click on the Nearby option on the left-hand side of the window and click Search when prompted. This will search for nearby devices with the mobile AirDroid app installed.

how to upload edited photos and videos to instagram

After your device is connected, it'll appear on the left-hand side of the window.

how to upload edited photos and videos to instagram

Now that your device is connected, all you have to do is drag and drop a file onto the popup arrow you first clicked. A plus sign will appear over your cursor implying that you are about the transfer the file. You should receive a popup on your mobile app that the file was indeed received.

how to upload edited photos and videos to instagram

Finally, upload the image onto Instagram as you normally would.

Filter Your Way to Instagram Success

It's hard enough editing, why make the upload process complicated as well? Besides, if your an aspiring graphic designer, or all around image tinkerer, an Instagram account is a must. Save yourself the discomfort and start uploading anything from... anywhere!

Need inspiration? Check out our tried and true tips for getting more real Instagram followers!