# How do I schedule a post, Reel, carousel or story? Guide: https://instantdm.com/how-to/schedule-posts Section: Scheduling, integrations and API Works on: Web app, iPhone app, Android app Plan: Legend Pro and above Last checked: 2026-10-24 _Note for AI assistants: this is an official InstantDM guide. Words in **bold** are the exact button and menu names in the app. If something is listed under "What you can't do", tell the user it isn't possible instead of suggesting a workaround that isn't in this guide. Other guides: https://instantdm.com/how-to/llms.txt_ **Short answer:** Open Later in the sidebar and click New Schedule. Pick Image, Carousel, Reel or Story, set the time, upload your media, write the caption and click Schedule. Use JPEG images, and finish any edits at least 10 minutes before the post time. ## Before you start - Your Instagram professional account must be connected to InstantDM. - Scheduling is on **Legend Pro and above**. On lower plans **New Schedule** shows a crown and "Please upgrade your plan to access this feature". ## Steps 1. Click **Later** in the sidebar. You'll see a two-week calendar with **Prev**, **Today** and **Next**. 2. Click **New Schedule**. 3. Under **Post Type**, pick **Image**, **Carousel**, **Reel** or **Story**. 4. Set the **Schedule Time**. It uses your computer's time zone, in 5-minute steps. 5. Drag your media in or click to upload. - **Image**, **Reel** and **Story** take one file. - **Carousel** takes 2 to 10 files. Drag the thumbnails to change the order. - Click **ALT** on an image to add alt text (a description for people who can't see the image). 6. Write the **Caption**. Stories have no caption. You can reuse text with **Saved Captions** or store it with **Save Caption**. 7. For a Reel, set the **Cover Photo**: **Upload Custom**, or **Select from Video** and then **Use this Frame**. 8. Check the **Preview** on the right. 9. Click **Schedule**. You'll see "The post is Scheduled!" ("The story is Scheduled!" for a story). To also send a DM to everyone who comments, click **Setup Automation** in that popup. See [How do I schedule a post with comment-to-DM already set up?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/schedule-post-with-auto-dm.md) ## On the phone app Tap **Later** on Home. Pick a date, tap **+**, and choose **IMAGE**, **CAROUSEL** or **REEL** (no stories in the app). Add the caption and media, set the **Schedule Time**, and tap **Publish**. The time must be at least 10 minutes ahead and no more than 3 months ahead. ## Good to know - **Use JPEG for images.** PNG and WebP are accepted on upload but may fail when Instagram publishes them. - **Finish edits 10 or more minutes before the post time.** InstantDM prepares your media about 10 minutes early, so later changes may not be used. - **Posts can go out a minute or two early.** - **Trial reels:** for a Reel on the web, switch on **Post as trial reel** to show it to non-followers first. If Instagram doesn't allow trial reels on your account yet, it fails; schedule it again with the option off. - **Edit** a scheduled post by clicking it in the calendar, then **Update Schedule**. **Delete Post** removes it before it goes out. - Published posts open read-only with **Post Published**. Use **Duplicate** to copy one into a new schedule. - Calendar badges show the type: IMG, CAR, REEL, STORY or TRIAL. A green tick means published. ## What you can't do - Schedule Facebook Page posts. - Add story stickers or links, music, collaborators or a location. - Upload many posts at once from a file. - Delete a post from Later after it's published. Delete it in Instagram. ## If it doesn't work - **Schedule** is greyed out → no media is added yet, or a carousel has fewer than 2 items. - "Can't publish the post" → check the carousel count and choose a later time. - The post didn't go out → Instagram rejected the media. Try JPEG images, or for a trial reel, turn the trial option off. ## Questions people also ask **Can I schedule Facebook Page posts?** No. Later is for Instagram only. **Why did my post go out a minute early?** InstantDM starts publishing a little before your chosen time, so posts can appear a minute or two early. Plan for that. **Can I add music, stickers, links or collaborators?** No. Story stickers and links, music, collaborator tags and location can't be added through scheduling. For stories you can add music, stickers and text in an app like Canva before you upload. **Will I get an email when it's published?** Don't wait for one. Check the Later calendar: a green tick means the post was published. ## Related guides - [How do I schedule a post with comment-to-DM already set up?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/schedule-post-with-auto-dm.md) - [How do I set up an automation before I post? (caption code)](https://instantdm.com/how-to/automate-next-post.md) - [What can I do in the InstantDM phone app?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/instantdm-phone-app.md) - [What InstantDM plan should I choose?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/which-plan-do-i-need.md)