How to schedule Instagram posts: in the app, on a computer, or with a scheduler

Yes, you can schedule Instagram posts: in the app, in Meta Business Suite on a computer, or with a scheduler. The steps for each, and what each can't do.

Which of the three to use depends on what you post and where you sit. The app is free and needs nothing else, but it only works on your phone. Business Suite works on a computer. A scheduler earns its place when you post to other networks too, or want a queue, a first comment or a client's approval. The steps below are Meta's own, checked on 11 November 2026.

How to schedule a post in the Instagram app

This works on iPhone and Android, on any public account. A personal account can schedule here too; it doesn't have to be a business or creator account.

1. 1Tap Create at the top left, or swipe right anywhere in your feed, then tap Post or Reel.
2. 2Pick a photo or video and tap Next.
3. 3Add your caption, effects or filters.
4. 4Tap More options.
5. 5Turn on Schedule this post (or Schedule this reel) and choose a date and time.
6. 6Tap Done, then Back, then Schedule.

The app takes up to 25 scheduled posts a day, up to 30 days ahead, and lists them under Scheduled content: how to see scheduled posts on Instagram has the steps to find, edit or delete one. Instagram's help centre says product tags, collaborative posts, sponsored posts and fundraisers can't be used in scheduled content. Stories can't be scheduled in the app unless you pay for a Meta One plan, which also stretches posts and Reels to 365 days ahead; Meta says Meta One is still in limited testing.

How to schedule Instagram posts from a computer

Instagram's website can't schedule: its help centre says the feature isn't available on the web app. On a computer, use Meta Business Suite at business.facebook.com. It needs a business or creator account, but not a Facebook Page.

1. 1In Business Suite, click Create post.
2. 2Under Post to, choose your Instagram account. You can add your Facebook Page as well and post to both.
3. 3Add your text and up to 10 photos.
4. 4Under Scheduling options, set the date and time, then click Schedule.

Reels and Stories have their own buttons, Create reel and Create story, with the same scheduling options; a Story takes up to 10 photos or videos. Scheduled items appear under Content, then Scheduled, and on the Planner calendar. Meta publishes no limit on how far ahead Business Suite schedules Instagram posts.

How to schedule Instagram posts with a scheduler

Schedulers publish through Meta's Instagram API, which only accepts business and creator accounts. If yours is personal, switch it in the app: Profile, then the menu, Account type and tools, Switch to professional account, and choose Creator. A private account becomes public when you switch, and you can switch back later.

In PostDaily, the steps are:

1. 1Connect your Instagram account, with Instagram Login or through the Facebook Page it is linked to. Connect Instagram has both routes.
2. 2In the composer, choose Post, Reel or Story, and attach your photos or video. Instagram never takes a text-only post.
3. 3Write the caption, add alt text, people tags or up to 3 collaborators, and a first comment if you want one.
4. 4Pick a date and time up to 12 months ahead, or add the post to your queue, and click Schedule.

Publish to Instagram walks through each option. What the API can't do applies to every scheduler, PostDaily included: no Instagram filters, no link or poll stickers on Stories, and no music from Instagram's library (what works for music instead). PostDaily also doesn't add location or product tags.

What each method can schedule

Limits that affect a scheduled post

• Captions: 2,200 characters, and Instagram's help centre now says 5 hashtags per post. Instagram's hashtag limit covers what changed.
• Photo shape: Meta's API reference lists 4:5 to 1.91:1 for feed photos, but PostDaily's own posts at 3:4, 2:3 and 9:16 published uncropped between July and October 2026. Instagram post sizes has the sizes for every format.
• Posts per day from an app: Meta's own pages say 50 or 100 in a rolling 24 hours, depending on which page you read. A carousel counts as one.

Every number, with its source, is on Instagram's limits.

Instagram scheduling questions

Last checked Nov 11, 2026 against Instagram's help centre, Meta's Business Suite and Meta One help pages, and Meta's Instagram Platform docs.