If you need to use Instagram on PC as well as mobile, get to know what sets the two apps apart. There are features that change or don’t even exist, depending on what version of Instagram you’re using.
Here are some key differences between the mobile and desktop Instagram apps. At the very least, you’ll know what to expect from each platform so you can choose the best one for each task.
1. The Desktop App Only Creates Posts
When you hit the Plus icon on Instagram’s mobile app, you can choose to share several things besides posts, including reels, stories, and guides.
Unfortunately, Instagram on PC only lets you create posts. This is a major factor to consider when deciding where to share different types of content.
That said, posting on Instagram from Windows or macOS has its advantages, which should improve as the computer and web apps evolve.
2. Cropping Works Differently on Each App
On the mobile app, you can upload an image and tap the Crop icon to choose between the image’s original size, whether portrait or landscape, and a square cut.
You can zoom in and move the image around to get the perfect shot, but as far as cropping goes, Instagram on mobile isn’t very flexible.
The desktop app makes up for it with two more options in the crop icon. When you click it, you get to choose between the original size and 1:1, but also 4:5 and 16:9.
Even if you know the perfect sizes for photos and videos on Instagram, it’s easy to get it wrong sometimes. The PC app can make small adjustments for portrait and landscape images to spare you the extra editing work.
3. Only Instagram on Mobile Can Instantly Enhance Photos
One feature that makes the mobile app more useful than the desktop version is the Luxury tool that automatically improves photos without you having to tweak anything.
You’ll find its magic wand icon at the top of your dashboard in the second stage of creating a new post, where you can edit the image further.
Lux doesn’t always get it right, but it’s handy to have for quick posts. And it’s only available on your smartphone.
Instagram on PC can adjust your images well enough with filters and effect sliders, but the mobile version has a greater range of tools.
It offers 10 extra filters, for starters, such as Mayfair, Lo-Fi, and X-Pro II. You can even change the order of your filters by tapping and holding each one and moving them around—which is not an option on PC.
On mobile, you also get six more ways to edit your photos, including highlights, sharpen, and tilt shift. All this lets you create some really interesting posts for your profile, especially if you follow our tips for high-quality Instagram photos.
5. Instagram on Mobile Lets You Crosspost
When you reach the last stage of posting on your phone, whether it’s a photo or a reel, Instagram lets you share it on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr.
These settings are not available on the desktop app. You have to share your Instagram posts on other platforms manually.
While both Instagram versions let you trim and choose a cover for your video, your mobile device offers extra ways to alter your post, which the desktop app lacks.
You can add text, stickers, filters, sound effects, and more.
If you want your post to have any such features on your computer, you need to edit the video before uploading it to Instagram or use the mobile app instead.
7. Instagram Video Calling Is Limited to Mobile
Instagram for PC does come with its normal messaging service, but it doesn’t offer anything else beyond that for communicating with friends.
The mobile version, on the other hand, lets you make video calls and even create rooms for group sessions, whether friendly or professional. Instagram isn’t one of the best video conferencing software options, but it’s worth considering.
8. You Can Only Shop on Instagram for Mobile
Another difference between Instagram’s mobile and desktop apps is that the latter does not have the Shop feature, an increasingly important part of this social network.
The Shop icon and section only exist on your smartphone, where you can browse products and brands that interest you and buy stuff straight from the app.
On your computer, you’ll notice that Instagram has an Explore icon that’s separate from the Search tool. This makes your dashboard look tidier, while still letting you use both features at the same time.
These functions are merged into one tool on the mobile app, so you have no choice but to look at other people’s posts while searching for something.
10. The Desktop Instagram App Displays Saved Posts on Your Profile
Instagram on both PC and mobile gives you the option to save posts. The difference between the two versions is that the desktop app actually displays them directly on your profile.
Under the Saved tab, you’ll find everything you’ve tagged so far, but you can also put them into groups by clicking New collectiongiving the file a title, and selecting the photos or videos to include.
Each new collection will sit separately on your profile. To quickly add to them, just hover over the Save icon on individual posts until a menu appears with a list of your collections. Select the right one and Instagram will automatically save the post there.
11. Instagram on Mobile Lets You Create an Avatar
Something fun you can only do on your phone is to create an avatar for your Instagram account, as well as Facebook and Messenger. Just go to Settings > Account > Avatar and start the creation process.
When done, you can choose to update all these social media profiles. To edit the avatar, you can just follow the same steps.
12. Instagram Settings Differ Between Apps
In addition to avatar creation missing from the desktop app settings, there are other discrepancies between the two versions’ customization options.
Besides layouts that put common settings in different places, for example, the mobile app includes a shopping tab that the desktop version lacks, as well as Orders and Payment settings.
For better or worse, your phone tracks your activity in a lot more detail, too. While the desktop app has a Login activity tab, the mobile version looks at how much time you spend on Instagram, your interactions, every change you’ve made to your account, and more.
If you like to keep an eye on your online habits, there are options for your computer, too, like Chrome extensions that track your activity. Play around with Instagram’s settings on the desktop and mobile app to fine-tune your user experience and discover other differences.
Personalize Instagram on Your Phone and Computer
Whether you prefer one version of Instagram or decide to combine the advantages of both apps, it’s worth getting to know everything the platform can do for you. Projects in photography, video, marketing, and beyond have a lot to gain.
That said, Instagram does change over time, including the differences between its mobile and desktop apps, so stay on top of your profile’s settings and performance to make sure it’s always at its best.