With billions of monthly active users, Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms. The platform has become a mainstay in many people’s lives since launching in 2010, and it has evolved significantly in the years since it first came to life.
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Although a lot of people use Instagram on their smartphones, some prefer to use it on their computers instead. They might want to for several reasons, such as setting better boundaries with their phones.
Before deciding whether you’ll use Instagram on iPhone or Mac, understanding the differences in your experience on both platforms is a good idea. And in this article, we’ll show you the top things they have in common – plus how they differ.
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What Are the Similarities Between Instagram for iOS and Mac?
Before we look at the differences when using Instagram on your iPhone and Mac, let’s identify what the key similarities are. Below, you’ll find some of the main things that you can do on both.
You Can Upload Posts on Instagram for iPhone and Mac
Historically, uploading posts to Instagram from your computer has been difficult. However, that is no longer the case. Since the second half of 2021, Instagram has allowed users to upload content to their feeds from the web app.
When the feature first rolled out, it didn’t include Reels. But as that feature is a crucial part of Instagram’s ecosystem these days, it was only a matter of time before that changed. If you use the social media platform on your Mac today, you can upload both still posts and video content. For both, you can go to the + icon.
You Can Reply to Your Messages on Both Devices
People use Instagram for different reasons. Some users have an account to promote their businesses, whereas others still like using it to document their lives. Other people, meanwhile, enjoy using Instagram because it means that they can keep in touch with their friends and family.
If you regularly message your loved ones on Instagram, you might not want to delete your account altogether. But what can you do if you want to remove the app from your iPhone? You won’t find a separate messaging app – like Facebook has with Messenger – for example.
Good news: You can use Instagram on your Mac instead. Once you’ve signed into your account, you’ll be able to view and respond to messages that other people send you.
You’ll be Able to Access Your Notifications
Many people check their Instagram notifications daily. It’s the best place to see who liked and commented on your posts, and you can also see who has followed you – and decide whether you’d like to follow them back.
You can easily access notifications from Instagram on your iPhone, and many people choose to have these delivered to their screens. And if you use the platform on your Mac, you can similarly check your notifications.
When using Instagram on your Mac, you’ll need to sign into your account and view your notifications. The icon is, like on your iPhone, a heart.
You Can Change Your Profile Picture on iOS and Mac
As you spend more time on Instagram, your appearance might change. And even if it doesn’t too much, you may want to upgrade your profile photo. Doing so on your iPhone is simple, and you can similarly do it on your Mac.
When changing your profile picture from Instagram for your Mac, you can choose from the images on your computer or external hard drive. Alternatively, you can AirDrop the picture you want to change from your iPhone.
You Can (Now) Deactivate Your Account on Instagram for iOS and Mac
If you’ve ever tried to deactivate your Instagram account in the past, you might remember how difficult it used to be. Until very recently, you could only perform this action by signing into the Instagram web app and navigating your way to that particular option.
Now, however, you no longer have to worry about that. If you have an iPhone, you can deactivate Instagram from the app. On Mac, the process is the same as it used to be.
If you choose to deactivate your Instagram account, you’ll still have to stick to the once-per-week limit.
hat Are the Differences Between Instagram for iOS and Mac?
Now that we’ve gone through the main similarities between using Instagram on your iPhone and Mac, let’s look at some of the main differences. Below, you’ll find the top two things to keep in mind.
Instagram Doesn’t Have an App for Mac Users
The biggest difference between using Instagram for iOS and macOS is that one has an app, and the other does not. While you can download the Instagram app from your iPhone’s App Store, Mac devices don’t have a dedicated app for the platform.
When using Instagram on your Mac, you’ll need to sign in via your web browser. You can use it in Safari, as well as Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
Unlike some apps, such as Spotify, you also can’t download an App for your Mac from Instagram’s official website.
You Can’t Add Websites to Your Bio on Your Mac
If you use Instagram for business purposes or you want to promote external links, you might want to add a website to your profile. One thing that some users might find annoying about Instagram, however, is that you can’t do this from your Mac.
To add a website to your Instagram account, you’ll need to download the app for your iPhone. Once you’ve done that and logged in, the remaining steps aren’t too difficult.
Where Will You Use Instagram?
Using Instagram on your iPhone and Mac ultimately means that you’ll have a slightly different experience. You can perform many of the same actions across both devices, such as posting content to your feed and responding to people’s messages. Moreover, you can follow and unfollow users without too much difficulty.
However, a couple of things are different between Instagram on both devices. While you can add websites to your bio from the iOS app, you can’t do that on your Mac. Moreover, you can’t download an app for your Mac – whereas you can do so for your iPhone.
Danny has been a professional writer since graduating from university in 2016, but he’s been writing online for over a decade. He has been intrigued by Apple products ever since getting an iPod Shuffle in 2008 and particularly enjoys writing about iPhones and iPads. Danny prides himself on making complex topics easy to understand. In his spare time, he’s a keen photographer.
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