:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/013-how-to-view-instagram-on-the-web-online-635ce49e12b74773832be098e62b8f3c.jpg?resize=1500,819&ssl=1 "Explaining how to view Instagram on the web version! What is the difference with the app?")
An overwhelming majority of people download and use the app Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/). However, Instagram can also be used on web browsers such as Safari and Google Chrome.
In this article, we will provide an overview of the web version of Instagram and explain how to view it from a browser. We will also explain the features of the web version of Instagram and what you can and cannot do, so please refer to it.
What is the web version of Instagram?
First, let’s start with an overview of the web browser version of Instagram. The web browser version of Instagram is, as the name suggests, Instagram viewed from a web browser. When using the Instagram app, there are cases where a problem occurs and the app becomes unusable or behaves strangely.
In such cases, you can open Instagram from a web browser using Safari or Google Chrome. You can use Instagram on any device with an internet connection, such as a PC, smartphone, or tablet.
How to view Instagram from a browser
From here, we will explain how to view Instagram from a web browser. Basically, the steps are the same no matter which web browser you use, so here we will explain how to use Google Chrome as an example. The main steps required are:
Let’s look at each in turn.
Long press the Instagram official website link on the search screen
First, we will explain how to view it on your smartphone or tablet. Search for “Instagram” or “Instagram” on
a search engine
, etc., display Instagram’s official page in the search results, and press and hold the link text. If you’re on a computer, right-click the link text to Instagram.
■Smartphone browser search screen
■PC browser search screen
If you do not perform the steps above, you will be automatically redirected to the Instagram app, so be sure to do this.
Open in new tab
Links to Instagram will open in a new tab on all devices, including smartphones, computers, and tablets. Please select “Open in new tab” as shown below. By opening in a new tab, you can access Instagram on your browser without starting the app.
■Smartphone browser search screen
■PC browser search screen
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Login to Instagram
■Login screen for the web version of Instagram viewed on a smartphone browser
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■Login screen for the web version of Instagram viewed on a PC browser
After opening in a new tab, log in to Instagram. Here, enter the phone number and password registered with Instagram. If you have not registered with your phone number, you can also log in with your username or email address.
You can also add the browser version of Instagram to your home screen.
Earlier, I explained how to view Instagram using a web browser. In fact, the web browser version of Instagram can also be added to your home screen.
If you add it to your home screen, you don’t have to go through the same steps, so you can easily view the web browser version of Instagram. If you use it frequently, why not add it to your home screen?
Features of the web version of Instagram
From here, we will explain three features of the web browser version of Instagram.
Let’s look at each in turn.
You can check the number of likes for feed posts
If your account is a professional account, you can check the number of likes by using Insights in the Instagram app version, but starting in 2019, the number of likes for feed posts will be displayed in the app version of Instagram. No longer.
However, in the web browser version, you can check the “number of likes” of feed posts. Why not use it when you want to check the number of likes of other accounts?
Ads can be hidden
Ads are hidden in the web browser version of Instagram. No ads are displayed on either feed posts or stories, so you can enjoy Instagram with less stress.
You can delete your account
You cannot delete your account on the Instagram app version. Even if you delete the app, your account will remain on Instagram. Therefore, if you want to delete your account, you will need to use the web browser version of Instagram.
■Help center screen of the web version of Instagram viewed on a smartphone browser
To delete your Instagram account on your smartphone’s browser, while logged in to Instagram on your browser, search for something like “Instagram Help Center” and tap the link to be redirected to the Help Center page.
If you type something like “delete account” into the help center’s search window and search the site, you’ll see an item called “Delete your Instagram account.” Tap to go there and follow the instructions to delete your account. You can do it.
■Help center screen of the web version of Instagram viewed on a PC browser
If you want to delete your account using your PC’s browser, go to the Help Center page in the same way as above and select “Delete account” from the “Account management” item.
Furthermore, when you click “Delete Instagram account”, the deletion procedure will be shown. A link to the [Delete Account] page will be displayed, so you can proceed with the deletion process.
Please note that deleted accounts cannot be restored, so please consider whether you should delete them again before deleting them.
What you can and cannot do with the Instagram web browser
We will explain what you can and cannot do on the web browser version of Instagram.
What you can do with the Instagram web browser
Things you can do with the web browser version of Instagram include: There are many things you can do with the Instagram app version that are overwhelmingly better than the browser version, so there is usually no need to use the browser version. However, the Instagram app often has problems, and you may not be able to use it when you want to use it.
In such cases, we recommend using the web browser version as a temporary alternative. The browser version of Instagram is significantly more limited in what it can do than the app version, but you can still use the minimum necessary functions. Below, we will explain the functions that can also be used in the web browser version.
- You can view posts without logging in
- Can create embed code
- Profile can be used
- Feed posts can be used
- Photo editing functions also available
- You can view stories
- GIF stamps can be used
- Can view reels
You can view posts without logging in
You can view posts on Instagram without logging in using a web browser. We mainly use the following external services.
If you register with these services and access Instagram, you can view posts without logging in.
Can create embed code
You can create an embed code using the web browser version of Instagram. The embedding feature is a feature that allows you to display Instagram posts as they are on websites, blogs, etc.
The content you normally see on the app will be reflected on the website or blog, so you can browse without any discomfort.
Profile can be used
The profile is displayed when you tap the person-shaped icon in the lower right corner of the Instagram app version, but it can be used in the same way on the web browser version. In addition to viewing your profile, you can also edit your profile.
Feed posts can be used
Just like the app version, the web browser version of Instagram allows you to view other people’s posts, and you can also “comment”, “like”, and “save” them. However, as explained in the above item “Things you can’t do with Instagram’s web browser,” if you post by yourself, there are limits to the editing functions and number of posts.
Photo editing functions also available
Although there are restrictions on photo editing, you can perform minimal editing such as filtering, resizing, and rotating. Examples of editing that cannot be done include adjusting contrast and brightness, and inserting background music.
You can view stories
In the web browser version of Instagram, you can view other users’ stories, as well as send messages and “like” them, just like in the app version. However, there are some restrictions regarding posting.
In the web browser version of Instagram, it is not possible to post videos to Stories, and if you do post, you can only post one still image such as a photo. Also, if you are using the web version of Instagram on a PC, you will not be able to post to Stories.
GIF stamps can be used
GIF stamps can be used on the web browser version of Instagram just like the app version. However, the GIF stamps that can be used are limited, and GIF stamps such as surveys, question boxes, and URL links that are often used in stories cannot be used.
It cannot be denied that the web browser version is somewhat insufficient for communicating with other users using GIF stamps.
Can view reels
The web browser version of Instagram allows you to view other users’ Reels, just like the app version. However, in the case of Reels, the web browser version itself does not have a video posting function, so you cannot post to Reels.
What you can’t do with Instagram’s web browser
The following are things you cannot do with the web browser version of Instagram.
- Cannot post to Story Reel (can view)
- Can’t archive
- Switching accounts is a pain in the web version
- Unable to make detailed photo edits
- You can only post one photo
- Unable to live stream
- Questions and survey functions are not available
- SNS share posting function is not available
- Unable to edit after posting
- Unable to search by tag or account
- Unable to link with editing app
Cannot post to Story Reel (can view)
The app version of Instagram allows you to post stories and reels, but you cannot post on the web browser version. Please note that posting is not possible, but viewing is possible. If you want to post to Stories or Reels, please use the app version.
Can’t archive
In the app version, there is
a feature
to
archive
feed posts. By using the archive, you can revisit feed posts at any time. However, the web browser version of Instagram does not have an archive function.
Switching accounts is a pain in the web version
In the app version of Instagram, you can instantly switch accounts from the home screen. Many of the people reading this article may be operating multiple Instagram accounts.
If you want to switch accounts using the web browser version, you will need to log out of Instagram and log in again using a different account from the web browser. Considering these comprehensive points of view, it can be said that the app version of Instagram is more convenient to use.
Unable to make detailed photo edits
The web browser version of Instagram restricts detailed photo editing when posting feeds and stories. Although you can edit the image with filters, change the size, and rotate it, you cannot adjust the contrast and brightness or insert background music, which you can do with the normal app version.
You can only post one photo
In the app version of Instagram, you can usually post multiple photos and videos, but in the web browser version, posting is limited to one photo. Also, videos cannot be posted regardless of the posting method, such as feed, story, reel, etc.
Unable to live stream
Live streaming allows you to communicate with your followers in real time, but this is also not available on a web browser. The function itself is not available, and it is no longer possible to stream or view it.
Questions and survey functions are not available
Questions and survey functions are often used in Stories, but these functions are no longer available in the web browser version. You cannot post your own posts or respond to other users’ stories.
SNS share posting function is not available
In the Instagram app version, you can use the share posting function that allows you to post in conjunction with other SNS such as Facebook, but this is not available in the web browser version.
Unable to edit after posting
In the Instagram app version, you can usually edit the text and re-tag the post even after posting. However, in the web browser version, you cannot edit the post after it has been posted, you can only delete it. Therefore, it is not possible to re-tag.
Unable to search by tag or account
In the Instagram app version, search results are displayed in five categories: “Top,” “Account,” “Audio,” “Tags,” and “Location,” but in the web browser version, they are not separated and are displayed all together.
Unable to link with editing app
The app version of Instagram can be linked with various video and image editing apps such as “Boomerang from Instagram” and “Layout from Instagram,” but the web browser version cannot be linked.
summary
In this article, we have explained how to view Instagram from a web browser. If you cannot open the app for some reason, you can use Instagram immediately by using a web browser. However, there are some things that cannot be done with the web browser version, so please use it as necessary.
Why not start by opening Instagram in a web browser to see how you can actually use it?