How To Upload High Quality Photos to Instagram

Most times, when you upload photos on Instagram, you discover that the image/picture looks blurry – less quality than it appeared on your device, what could have caused that?

Can you upload photos to Instagram without the photos losing their resolution quality? The simple answer is yes, and this article explains how you can do that. But then, what reduces the quality of photos you upload on Instagram?

Why Does Instagram Reduce Photo Quality?

By default, Instagram won’t upload your images with high-quality resolution; this is to save upload time, and also save your data (especially if you’re on a mobile network).

Also, Instagram has its photo upload requirements. If the photo you’re uploading doesn’t meet their requirement, an automated system would forcefully trim/reduce the image to meet those requirements.

It doesn’t matter what device you’re using to upload your photos to Instagram, if you do not stick to the photo upload requirements, and activate a hidden feature, your photos would keep being blurry on the network.

How To Upload High-Quality Photos to Instagram

First things first, you need to understand the Instagram photo requirements. When you know these requirements, it’d help you when creating designs/images for Instagram marketing or personal uploads.

1. Understand Instagram Photo Requirements

• The image you’re uploading must be in JPEG format: If you try to upload PNG or any other formats, the backend system would automatically convert the image to JPEG format, and thus, the image may lose some quality.
• Maximum 1080p (W) and Minimum 320p (W): The image you’re uploading should have a minimum width measurement of 320p and a maximum of 1080p.
• Images should have an aspect ratio between 1.91:1 and 4:5

Now, these are Instagram photo requirements. If your photos match these requirements, they’d most likely be uploaded without any quality loss. Yes, “most likely” because Instagram also reduces photo upload quality to save time and data (even though the photos match the requirements). How do you fix this?

2. Enable “High-Quality” Uploads

There is a feature on Instagram – a hidden feature though – that instructs Instagram algorithms to upload your photos at the same-exact quality they are on your device. By default, this feature is turned off, you’re the one to turn it on (if you think you need it). Where is the feature hidden?

• Download the latest version of the Instagram app (upgrade yours if you already have the app on your device).
• Open the app and tap on the “Profile” icon
• Tap on the three vertical dots at the top right corner
• Select “Settings”
• Tap on “Account,” and then “Data Usage”
• Inside the Data Usage page, turn off “Use Less Cellular Data” and turn on “High-Quality Uploads.”
• Once this is done, your photos would be uploaded to Instagram without quality loss.

What More?

Conclusively, after turning on High-Quality Uploads, ensure that your photo matches the “Pixels” requirements of Instagram, else, they’d be automatically readjusted. There are photo editing apps that allow you to “perfect” your photos for Instagram. Also, ensure to use a phone with a high-res camera to capture the photos.