According to Statista, Instagram has approximately 500 million active users as of June 2016. Just in case you’re not one of those 500 million, Instagram is a social networking app that allows users to share photos and videos from their mobile devices. The app includes various photo editing tools and has become a staple of selfie-obsessed teenagers as well as an invaluable marketing tool for individuals and businesses.
Instagram allows users to share their life by providing an instant snapshot of what’s going on in that exact moment. Hence the name, Insta-gram. For that reason, the developers of the insanely popular app have chosen to only focus on mobile platforms. While it is possible to view your Instagram feed from your browser, you can currently only upload images from your phone or tablet. That means any photos taken from your DSLR or edited in Adobe Photoshop are deemed unsuitable for Instagram sharing.
The benefit of uploading Instagram posts from a PC or Mac appeals to a lot of people, and just because it isn’t officially sanctioned by the folks over at Instagram, doesn’t mean it can’t be done. To paraphrase Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park, “Life, uh, finds a way.”
1. Gramblr
Gramblr is a popular third-party application that allows users to upload photos and videos to Instagram from their PC. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers and features a similar interface to the official mobile app. Gramblr is simple to install and easy to use; however, glitches are not uncommon.
2. BlueStacks
BlueStacks made a splash in 2011 when they unveiled their proprietary software, BlueStacks App Player. To put it simply, BlueStacks App Player is an Android emulator that runs on either Windows or Mac OS. While BlueStacks is particularly popular with gamers, the App Player can run roughly 96% of the Android apps available in the Google Play Store, Instagram included.
3. Running Android on a Virtual Machine
A virtual machine is an emulation software that allows you to run entire operating systems within the Virtual Machine software. Think of it as a computer within a computer. Windows 10 has a built-in virtual machine in Hyper V; all you need is a copy of Android. Once you’ve configured your virtual machine, just download the Instagram app and start using it from your PC.
4. Andy/AMIDuOS
If the idea of configuring a virtual machine is a little over your head, you have other options. Programs like AMIDuOS and Andy package a virtual machine and the Android operating system together. These pre-configured solutions make running Android on your PC super simple. Andy and AMIDuOS aim to bring a fully functioning Android experience to the PC, which means you’ll be able to ‘gram to your heart’s content. Andy is free; however, AMIDuOS has a payment structure between $10 and $15 USD.
5. Dropbox
If everything above sounds like more trouble than it’s worth, Dropbox might be the answer you’re looking for. Simply upload photos or videos from your PC to Dropbox and transfer them to your phone. Then just fire up Instagram and start posting. It may not allow you to post to Instagram directly, but it works.
What is your favorite way of accessing and using Instagram on your desktop PC? Let us know in the comments!
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