How to Schedule Posts on Instagram: an Ultimate Guide

Want to keep your Instagram game strong without the daily hassle of posting? Whether you're a brand, a content creator, or just someone who likes a well-organized feed, scheduling your posts can save time and keep your content strategy on track.

The good news? Instagram now lets you schedule posts and Reels directly in the app—no third-party tools required! If you're using a professional account, you can schedule posts on Instagram up to 75 days in advance. If you need even more flexibility, desktop scheduling and third-party tools like Later or Buffer are great options.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to scheduling Instagram posts using three different methods:

How to Schedule Posts on Instagram via Desktop

If you prefer working on a bigger screen, Meta Business Suite is your best option for social media post scheduling on desktop.

Steps:

1. Log in to Meta Business Suite and select the Instagram account you want to schedule for.
2. Click Create Post and choose either Instagram Feed or Reels.
3. Upload your photo, video, or carousel, and add a caption, hashtags, and any tags.
4. Click Schedule, select your desired date and time, and confirm.
5. Your post will automatically go live at the scheduled time!

Why Use This Method?

This is the perfect solution for all the social media managers out there who are tired of their colleagues constantly giving them the side eye as they seem to always be “on the phone.” If you want to prove that you’re actually just scheduling that post, then do it on your computer instead! Aside from this benefit, the desktop version will also give you the perks of:

✔️ Managing multiple accounts better
✔️ Easier access to analytics and insights
✔️ Great solution for planning a social media content calendar

How to Schedule Posts on Instagram via iPhone and Android

If you're always on the go, you can schedule posts directly from the Instagram app—but only if you have a professional account.

Steps:

1. Open the Instagram app and tap + (Create Post or Reel).
2. Choose your media (photo, video, or carousel) and tap Next.
3. Add your caption, hashtags, effects, and filters.
4. Tap Advanced Settings, then toggle on Schedule This Post.
5. Select a date and time (up to 75 days in advance) and tap Done.
6. Tap Schedule, and your post is set!

Why Use This Method?

✔️ Quick and easy for creators and small businesses
✔️ No need for third-party tools
✔️ Works seamlessly with your content planning workflow

Managing Your Scheduled Posts

Once your posts are scheduled, you can view and edit them in two ways:

1. From your Instagram profile: Tap the menu (☰) > Scheduled Content.
2. From the Create menu: Tap + (Create) > Scheduled, then edit, reschedule, or delete as needed.

Now that you know how to schedule posts on Instagram, you can say goodbye to last-minute posting stress! Whether you’re using Meta Business Suite, the Instagram iPhone app, or the Android app, these tools help you plan content in advance and maintain a strong social media content calendar.

Still, if you want even more flexibility in your social media post scheduling flow, we suggest also trying third-party tools like Later and Buffer. Haven’t heard of them? Here’s a quick overview.

The Power of Third-Party Scheduling Tools

While Instagram’s in-app scheduling can be handy, if you want to take your social media post scheduling to the next level, third-party tools like Later and Buffer are your best friends. These platforms offer more advanced features that can truly optimize your content calendar and bring your social media strategy to new heights. Let’s dive into why these tools are worth considering.

1) Buffer

If you’re someone who juggles multiple social accounts, Buffer is here to save the day. It’s a powerful platform that allows you to schedule posts for a variety of social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest) from one easy-to-use dashboard. Here’s why it’s a game-changer:

1. All-in-One Platform: You can manage everything from one place—whether it's Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn. No more switching between apps. Buffer lets you schedule posts, respond to comments, and analyze your performance across multiple platforms without missing a beat.
2. Time-Saving Features: Buffer’s scheduling system helps you stay on top of your posting game. You can plan your posts ahead of time, ensuring your content goes out at the perfect time, even when you’re busy. Buffer also supports social media content planning by allowing you to batch-create and schedule posts in advance.
3. Advanced Analytics: Buffer’s paid plans give you access to detailed analytics, allowing you to track what’s working and what’s not. This helps you fine-tune your content planning and make data-driven decisions.
4. Collaboration Made Easy: If you’re working with a team, Buffer makes it easy to collaborate. You can share access to accounts without having to share passwords, keeping everything secure and efficient.

Buffer is great if you want to schedule posts on Instagram and beyond, with additional perks for those managing multiple accounts.

2) Later

For creators who thrive on visuals, Later is the scheduling tool that feels like it was made just for you. Whether you’re managing a brand’s Instagram feed or running a personal account, Later’s visual interface will make you feel like you’re organizing your content in a Pinterest board. Here's why Later stands out:

1. Drag-and-Drop Calendar: Later’s drag-and-drop calendar lets you schedule posts and Reels with ease. Planning your posts becomes less of a task and more of a creative exercise. Just upload your media and drag it onto the calendar. It’s as simple as that.
2. Perfect for Visual Content: Later is specially designed for Instagram. You can schedule posts, carousel images, and even Reels directly from the platform. You get a sneak peek at your feed so you can ensure your content looks cohesive before it goes live. Later also supports social media post scheduling for other platforms, but Instagram is where it truly shines.
3. Free Plan with Plenty of Features: Later’s free plan lets you schedule up to 30 posts per month. If you need more, their premium plans allow for unlimited posts and additional features like analytics, hashtag suggestions, and more.
4. Smart Linkin.bio: Later goes the extra mile by offering linkin.bio, a smart tool that turns your Instagram feed into a clickable, shoppable link. It’s an amazing feature for creators who want to monetize their Instagram.

For Instagram content creators and businesses looking to manage their content calendar visually, Later offers an intuitive experience that makes the whole process smooth.

3) Hootsuite

If you're looking for a tried-and-tested scheduling tool with robust features, Hootsuite is where you turn. With over a decade in the game, it’s packed with options designed to manage your social media presence across the board. Here’s why it’s a top contender:

1. Wide Platform Support: From Facebook to TikTok, Hootsuite supports a wide variety of social media platforms. If you're managing social media across many different channels, Hootsuite gives you the flexibility to handle it all from one place.
2. Comprehensive Analytics: Hootsuite provides in-depth reports and analytics that are perfect for professionals looking to get granular with their performance. You can monitor your social ROI and get insights into your audience’s behavior to refine your strategy.
3. Scheduling for Teams: Like Buffer, Hootsuite allows teams to collaborate on a content strategy. It supports different permission levels, so you can control who gets access to what features. This makes Hootsuite a great choice for large teams working on multi-platform campaigns.
4. Content Curation: Hootsuite also comes with content curation tools, so you can discover relevant content to share with your audience and schedule it on your calendar—great for maintaining a consistent posting rhythm.

4) Sprout Social

For those who need an efficient social media management solution for larger teams, Sprout Social is the way to go. It’s designed to handle multiple users and complex workflows, making it perfect for businesses and brands.

1. Powerful Collaboration Tools: One of Sprout Social’s strongest suits is its collaboration features. You can assign tasks, communicate with team members, and streamline your workflow from start to finish, which helps improve efficiency when working with larger teams.
2. Social Listening: Beyond just scheduling posts, Sprout Social offers social listening tools that let you monitor brand mentions, track keywords, and analyze sentiment. This can help you stay ahead of trends and respond proactively to your audience.
3. Detailed Reporting: Sprout Social’s reporting and analytics are some of the most in-depth in the industry, providing detailed insights into audience engagement, trends, and campaign effectiveness.
4. Advanced Scheduling Features: Sprout Social also offers features like auto-scheduling and viral post detection, helping ensure your content is seen by the right people at the right time.

Why You Should Use These Scheduling Tools

Now that you know what these tools can do, here’s why they are worth adding to your workflow:

1. Streamline Your Workflow: These tools let you plan, create, and schedule posts across multiple platforms, giving you more time to focus on strategy and content creation.
2. Consistency is Key: Keep your posts regular and consistent, even when you're away. Scheduling helps you maintain a steady flow of content, ensuring your social channels are always active.
3. Collaborate with Ease: Whether you’re working solo or with a team, these tools allow you to manage your accounts and collaborate on content seamlessly.
4. Data-Driven Decisions: With detailed analytics and performance reports, you can track how your content is doing and adjust your strategy based on the results.

Bring Podcastle Into Your Workflow

We can't talk about content creation without mentioning Podcastle. If you're already using Later and Buffer for scheduling, why not level up your content creation with Podcastle? You can record, edit, and enhance your audio and video content with AI-powered features that ensure your content stands out. Whether you’re creating a quick Instagram Reel or preparing for a major campaign, Podcastle helps you produce polished, professional content in no time. Combine it with your scheduling tool of choice, and you’ve got an efficient, high-quality content workflow.