Have you ever caught yourself scrolling through Instagram Stories and thinking, “I could totally do that… if only I knew how”? Well, buckle up, because adding a video to your Instagram Story is easier than it looks, and it’s the ultimate way to give your feed a little extra kick.
I’ve got all the tips you need to make this as simple as pie. We’ll cover the basics, like grabbing videos from your camera roll, capturing in the moment, and even mixing clips for those longer Stories that keep people hooked.
Plus, I’ll throw in some creative hacks that’ll have your followers tapping “replay”.
Ready to turn your Story into the one everyone’s talking about? Let’s jump in!
How to Upload a Video to Instagram Story from Your Camera Roll
Alright, let’s start with the easy stuff—uploading a video straight from your camera roll. This one’s perfect if you’ve already captured the moment and just want to share it with a little Instagram flair.
If you are a beginner then you might have a question in your mind “How do I add a video to Instagram story?”.
Here’s how:
1. Open Instagram and tap on your profile picture in the top left to open your Story. If you’re already in the app, look for the camera icon in the top left corner.
2. Swipe up or tap on the little gallery icon at the bottom left of your screen. This pulls up all the videos and photos in your camera roll.
3. Select your video, and Instagram will load it into the story editor. Here, you can trim it down if it’s a bit long or even split it into multiple clips if it’s more than 60 seconds—Instagram will do that automatically.
4. Once your video is loaded, you can add filters, text, stickers, or music to make it pop.
Need inspiration? Check out these story ideas to get some creative juices flowing.
5. When everything looks good, tap “Your Story” at the bottom of the screen to post it for all to see!
Now, you’re ready to share that killer Instagram video from your camera roll.
How to Record a Video Directly in the Instagram App
Sometimes, the best stories happen in real time, and you want to capture the moment right then and there.
Here’s how to record a video directly in Instagram for those instant, live-feel videos:
1. Open Instagram and tap your profile picture (top left corner) or the camera icon to jump right into Stories mode.
2. You’ll see a white capture button at the bottom of the screen. Tap and hold it to record a video clip. Instagram Stories can record clips up to 60 seconds each, so if you need a bit more time, just keep holding down and Instagram will split it into multiple clips for you. Super easy!
3. Once you’ve recorded, swipe through to add filters, text, and stickers. Want a quick hack? Add some music by tapping the sticker icon and selecting the music sticker. It’ll make your video feel polished without even trying!
4. Happy with your recording? Hit the “Your Story” button to share it.
And if you’re looking to add even more flair, check out our guide to change background color on Instagram story for some extra customization tips.
That’s it! Recording directly in the app lets you capture the moment, add a bit of flair, and share it in seconds.
Editing Your Video Story on Instagram
Now that you’ve got your videos lined up, it’s time to add a little spice with Instagram’s editing features. Here’s how to take your video story from basic to pro-level:
1. Add Filters and Effects: After you’ve uploaded or recorded your video, swipe left or right to apply filters that match the mood of your story. Want a more cohesive vibe? Use the same filter across all clips.
2. Add Text and Stickers: Tap the “Aa” icon to add text, or hit the sticker icon to throw in some emojis, location tags, polls, or even music. If you’re looking to add some flavor to your video, you can’t go wrong with a sticker.
For more on how to make these elements work together, check out RecurPost’s guide on acing your Instagram Story analytics.
3. Trim and Edit Clips: If your video is a little too long or there’s an awkward moment you’d like to cut out, you’ll need to trim the video for Instagram Story. Tap on the video and use the trim feature to shorten or cut out parts of the video. This keeps your story snappy and smooth.
4. Add Music: Want to add some tunes? Tap the sticker icon and select the music sticker. You can browse Instagram’s library for songs or search for specific ones. Just be sure to pick a track that enhances the vibe of your story!
5. Preview Your Story: Scroll through your clips one last time before hitting “Your Story” to make sure everything’s in place. If needed, you can still go back to tweak any part.
With Instagram’s editing tools, you can easily give your story some extra personality without needing third-party apps.
Highlight Your Instagram Video Story
Once your video’s up, why not keep it around a little longer? Adding a Story to your Highlights lets new visitors check it out any time they visit your profile. Here’s the quick rundown:
1. Post the Story First: Once it’s live, let it chill on your profile for a bit.
2. Add to Highlights: Open your Story, tap the little “Highlight” icon, and choose whether to pop it into an existing Highlight or start a fresh one.
3. Make It Pop: Give the Highlight a name and pick a cover image that fits your style.
That’s it! Now, instead of disappearing in 24 hours, your best stories can stay right at the top of your profile, ready to impress every new visitor.
Uploading Videos to Your Instagram Story Through RecurPost
Got a video you want to share but don’t want to stress about posting it live? RecurPost has your back! With RecurPost, you can schedule your Instagram Stories in advance, which is a lifesaver if you’re aiming to keep followers engaged even when you’re taking a well-deserved break.
Here’s how to upload videos to your Story with RecurPost:
1. Hop into Your RecurPost Account: Go to your dashboard and pick your Instagram profile from your connected accounts.
2. Create a New Story Post: Click “Create a New Post,” then select “Story Post” to make sure this goes to your Instagram Story, not your main feed.
3. Add Your Video: Tap “Add Media” and upload the video you want to share. RecurPost takes care of formatting, so your video will look just right on Instagram.
4. Schedule and Relax: Choose when you want your Story to go live, and RecurPost will remind you when it’s time to post it on Instagram.
With RecurPost, you can keep your Stories rolling without having to think about it 24/7. Easy peasy, right?
Want more ideas? Take a look at RecurPost’s guide on creating Instagram Stories for fresh ways to add style.
Troubleshooting Common Video Upload Issues on Instagram Stories
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned when uploading a video to your Instagram Story. Don’t sweat it—here are some common issues and quick fixes to keep your story looking sharp:
1. Video Quality Looks Blurry or Pixelated: This can happen if the original video resolution is low or if Instagram compresses the video during upload. Try recording in a higher resolution (at least 720p) and ensure the video fits Instagram’s 9:16 aspect ratio. If you still have issues, use third-party apps like InShot or Canva to enhance quality before uploading.
2. Can’t Add Music to Your Story: If the music sticker doesn’t appear, your app might need an update, or it could be a regional restriction. First, try updating the Instagram app. If that doesn’t work, add music using external video editing apps before uploading.
If you have any difficulty in adding music to your story, you can check out our blog on How To Add Music To Instagram Story.
3. Longer Videos Won’t Upload: Instagram Stories are limited to 60 seconds per clip. If you’re trying to post a longer video, Instagram will automatically trim it into 60-second segments. But if that doesn’t work smoothly, try using an app to split your video into shorter clips manually.
Recommend: Learn How to Make Instagram Stories Longer Effortlessly
4. Audio or Video Not Syncing Properly: This can sometimes happen during upload. If you notice audio lagging or video glitches, try re-uploading the clip or trimming a few seconds from the beginning or end to re-sync.
5. Trouble Accessing the Camera Roll or Gallery: If you can’t access your camera roll while creating a story, go to your phone’s settings, select Instagram, and ensure permissions are enabled for accessing photos and videos.
Troubleshooting doesn’t have to be a headache. These quick fixes will help you keep your video stories running smoothly and looking their best!
Creative Ideas for Using Video in Your Instagram Stories
Now that adding videos to your Instagram Story is clear, let’s talk about making them unforgettable!
Here are some creative ideas to keep your followers entertained and coming back for more:
1. Behind-the-Scenes Sneak Peeks
Take your followers behind the curtain. Whether it’s prepping for an event, creating new content, or just the daily grind, people love seeing the real you. This is an easy way to build trust and let your followers feel like insiders.
2. Progression Posts and Reveals
Use a sequence of videos to reveal a project step-by-step. You can start with a teaser, then add more clips to build anticipation. Got something you’re launching soon? Tease it over a few stories and let the suspense grow.
3. Interactive Storytelling with Polls and Questions
Mix up your video with interactive elements like polls, questions, and emoji sliders. Ask your followers what they think, or let them make choices about the content you post next. This adds a personal touch and keeps engagement high.
For more ways to keep stories interactive, check out other guide on Instagram Story ideas.
4. Tutorials and Quick Tips
Share a skill, recipe, or how-to in short, digestible video clips. Tutorials make your stories valuable and shareable, especially if you’re giving tips people can use. For example, if you’re sharing fashion tips, walk through a styling process from start to finish.
5. Create a Mini-Series
Who doesn’t love a good series? Pick a theme—like “Monday Motivation” or “Wellness Wednesdays”—and stick to it weekly. This keeps people coming back for each new episode and gives you a chance to showcase different content styles.
These ideas aren’t just fun; they also help grow your connection with followers. Each of these approaches makes your story worth watching and rewatching.
6. Add Reels to Story
Want to share your favorite Reel on your Story? It’s super easy! Just find the Reel you want to share, tap the paper airplane icon below it, and select “Add to Your Story.”
From there, you can add stickers, text, or even draw on it before posting. It’s a fun way to share cool content with your followers!
Conclusion
There you have it! Now you know how to upload video to Instagram Story and make it shine. From uploading from your camera roll to recording on the spot, you’re all set to share stories that’ll keep your followers hooked.
With a bit of creativity—like using multiple clips, adding music, or layering in fun stickers and text—you can make each story feel unique and engaging. You can also put multiple videos on an Instagram Story, simply upload each video one by one. You can arrange them in a sequence, and they’ll play consecutively for your followers to enjoy. And don’t forget those extra features like polls and questions to pull your audience in and keep them involved.
Instagram Stories are an amazing way to share moments, spark conversations, and build a deeper connection with your followers. So go ahead, start experimenting with video stories and keep sharing those epic moments!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Instagram Stories allows up to 60 seconds per clip. However, if you upload a longer video, Instagram will automatically split it into multiple clips. You can also use third-party apps to cut longer videos into 60-second segments manually before uploading. This way, you can combine multiple videos seamlessly into one continuous story.
Yes, you can merge multiple clips into one video post by using video editing apps like InShot, Canva, or Adobe Rush. After merging, upload the video post as one story or feed post on Instagram. This can be a great option if you want a single, uninterrupted video rather than multiple stories.
Directly sharing a YouTube video on Instagram Stories isn’t possible yet. However, you can create a video snippet from YouTube by screen recording or downloading a short clip, then uploading it to your story. Add a “link sticker” if you want to direct viewers to the full YouTube video on your YouTube channel.
To see a video preview of your Instagram Story before posting, simply tap on the “Preview” button after selecting or editing your video. This helps you check for edits, text, stickers, and filters before sharing it with your followers.
Yes! To share a video post from your feed to your Story, tap on the post, select the paper airplane icon, then choose “Add post to your story.” This is a great way to give your videos from your Instagram profile more visibility in your Story.
Yes, to trim a video, upload it to your Story and drag the sliders on the editing screen to select the part of the video you want to keep. Once you’ve chosen, hit “Done” to save your trimmed video.
Saurabh Chaturvedi is a content writer at RecurPost. Specializing in social media management and marketing, Saurabh is dedicated to crafting engaging and informative articles. His passion for clear, exciting content keeps readers eager for more.