How to schedule Instagram posts, for free or on autopilot

Before you start

• Your account must be public. Instagram's help center says you need a public account to schedule in the app.
• Limits: up to 25 scheduled posts a day, up to 30 days ahead.
• What you can schedule in the app: reels, photos and carousel posts.
• Some features don't work with scheduling. Instagram lists product tagging, collaborative posts, sponsored posts and fundraisers.
• Settings stay as they were. A scheduled post keeps the privacy and audience settings you had when you scheduled it.
• Meta Business Suite needs a professional account. Meta's help center says you need an Instagram Business or Creator account to manage it there. Our guide shows how to switch.

Schedule a post or reel in the Instagram app

1. 01Tap Create in the top left, or swipe right anywhere in your Feed. Then tap Post or Reel.
2. 02Select a photo or video, then tap Next.
3. 03Add a caption, effects or filters.
4. 04Tap More options.
5. 05Turn on Schedule this post (or Schedule this reel), then choose a date and time.
6. 06Tap Done.
7. 07Tap Back.
8. 08Tap Schedule.

See, change or cancel a scheduled post

Instagram gives two ways in. From your profile:

1. 01Tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right.
2. 02Tap Menu in the top right.
3. 03Below Your insights and tools, tap Scheduled content.
4. 04Tap Options next to the post or reel.
5. 05Choose Edit post, Reschedule, Share now or Delete.

Or from the create screen

1. 01Tap Create, then Post or Reel.
2. 02Tap Scheduled to see your scheduled content.
3. 03Select the post or reel, then tap Options.
4. 04Choose Edit post, Reschedule, Share now or Delete.

Schedule from a computer with Meta Business Suite

Meta Business Suite is free and runs in a web browser. If your Instagram account is connected to a Facebook Page, a post goes to both by default. You can untick one under Post to if you only want Instagram. These steps follow Meta's Business Help Center.

1. 01Open Meta Business Suite and go to Content, then Create post. The post composer opens.
2. 02Choose Instagram as the place to post, and untick Facebook if you don't want it there.
3. 03Add your media and write the caption.
4. 04Turn on the toggle for Scheduling options.
5. 05Choose a date and time. To pick a time when your followers are most active, click Active times.
6. 06Click Schedule.
7. 07Find the post later in the Planner tab, or in Content, then Posts & reels, then Scheduled. To move it, click Options, then Manage post, then Reschedule post.

Which way to use

How Vidpop schedules Instagram posts for you

Both free options above schedule a post you already made. If making the post is what keeps slipping, Vidpop does that part too. It is an iPhone app that learns your business, then Autopilot plans three carousels a week, designs 5 to 7 slides at 1080x1350 for each, and writes the caption. Post for Me publishes them at the scheduled time. More on the Instagram page.

1. 01Make sure your Instagram is a Business or Creator account.
2. 02Install Vidpop on your iPhone (iOS 17 or later) and start the Starter plan's 3-day free trial.
3. 03Set up your business with your website, your App Store link, or six short questions and a few photos.
4. 04In Post for Me, connect Instagram through Instagram's own sign-in. Vidpop never sees your password. Connect a Facebook Page or a LinkedIn company Page too if you want posts there.
5. 05Turn on "Ask me first" if you want to approve each post. Your first week always waits for your approval.
6. 06Open the calendar, check each post and its caption, and approve. You can edit or re-make a post up to 15 minutes before it goes out.
7. 07For a one-off post, use Create with AI to make a caption, image post or carousel, then post it now or schedule it.

If scheduling doesn't work

• You can't find Schedule this post. Check that your account is public. Update the Instagram app too.
• The schedule switch disappears. Remove product tags, collaborators, sponsored post settings or a fundraiser. Instagram says these don't work with scheduled content.
• You need a date more than 30 days away. The app allows up to 30 days ahead. Schedule it later, or keep it as a draft.
• Meta Business Suite asks you to link a Facebook Page. Meta's help center suggests signing out of Facebook, or using a private browser window, and logging in with your Instagram username and password.
• An app says your account isn't eligible. Outside apps can only post to Business or Creator accounts. Switch, then connect again.

Frequently asked questions

Can you schedule Instagram posts in the app?

Yes. Create a post or reel, tap More options, turn on Schedule this post, pick a date and time, tap Done, then Back, then Schedule. Your account must be public.

Is scheduling Instagram posts free?

Yes. Scheduling in the Instagram app and in Meta Business Suite is free. Paid tools like Vidpop charge for making the posts as well as scheduling them.

How far ahead can I schedule Instagram posts?

In the Instagram app, up to 30 days ahead, and up to 25 posts a day, according to Instagram's help center.

Can I schedule Instagram reels?

Yes. The Instagram app schedules reels, photos and carousel posts. In the reel's More options, turn on Schedule this reel.

How do I schedule Instagram posts from my computer?

Use Meta Business Suite. Go to Content, then Create post, write the post, turn on Scheduling options, pick a time and click Schedule. You need an Instagram Business or Creator account for this.

Where do I find my scheduled Instagram posts?

In the app, go to your profile, tap Menu, and under Your insights and tools tap Scheduled content. In Meta Business Suite, look in the Planner tab or under Content, Posts & reels, Scheduled.

Can an app make and schedule Instagram posts for me?

Yes. Vidpop's Autopilot plans, designs and captions three carousels a week, and Post for Me publishes them to your Instagram Business or Creator account on schedule. You can approve each post first.

Why can't I schedule a collab post?

Instagram's help center says collaborative posts, product tagging, sponsored posts and fundraisers aren't compatible with scheduled content at this time. Post those right away instead.