Yes. You can schedule a Reel in the Instagram app, in Meta Business Suite, or with a scheduling tool like sprkly. The app is free and fine for a few Reels. A tool helps when you post to more than one account or platform.
The 3 ways to schedule a Reel
| Instagram app | A scheduling tool | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Depends on the tool. sprkly has a free plan. |
| How far ahead | Up to 30 days | The tool holds the Reel and sends it at your time |
| Per day | Up to 25 scheduled posts | Meta's docs give 50 to 100 API posts per account per 24 hours |
| Same video to TikTok, Shorts, Facebook | No | Yes, in sprkly |
- Meta Business Suite also schedules Reels, on a computer. We could not find a Meta help page with its Reel steps or limits, so we do not list them here.
- Want more than 30 days in the app? Meta says a Meta One Advanced, Expert or Max plan lets you schedule up to a year ahead.
How to schedule a Reel in the Instagram app
You need a public account. Then:
- Tap Create, then Reel.
- Pick your video and tap Next.
- Add a caption.
- Tap More options.
- Turn on Schedule this reel. Pick a date and time.
- Tap Done, then Back.
- Tap Schedule.
Where to find it later: go to your profile and tap Scheduled content.
How to schedule a Reel with a tool
With sprkly:
- Connect Instagram. Use a Business or Creator account. How to connect Instagram.
- Add the video. In Compose, pick your Instagram account and upload one 9:16 video. Write the caption and pick a cover.
- Pick a time. sprkly posts the Reel at that minute. You do not need to be online.
- Full steps and the specs sprkly checks: Schedule a Reel in sprkly.
- More on our social media scheduler.
- Other tools that schedule Reels: Buffer, Later, Publer, Metricool.
What a tool can and cannot do
Tools post through Meta's publishing API. That sets what they can do.
A tool can:
- Post the Reel at the minute you pick.
- Add your caption.
- Set a cover image, or a frame from the video.
- Post the same video to TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Facebook.
A tool cannot:
- Add a song from Instagram's music library. Meta's API has no field for it.
- Add Instagram filters. Meta says "Filters are not supported."
- Add shopping tags. Meta says "Shopping tags are not supported."
What about covers on other apps? sprkly sends your cover to Instagram and Facebook. TikTok and Shorts take no cover image, so sprkly makes it the first frame.
Reel specs to check before you schedule
| Reel | |
|---|---|
| Shape | 9:16. Meta says other shapes can be cropped or get blank space. |
| Size | 1080 x 1920 |
| Length | 3 seconds to 15 minutes |
| File | MP4 or MOV, up to 300 MB |
| Caption | Up to 2,200 characters |
| Hashtags | Up to 5, Instagram says (source) |
- Instagram decides if a Reel shows in the Reels tab. Nobody can promise it.
- Every size for every post type: Instagram sizes.
- One video for every app: Post one video to TikTok, Reels and Shorts.
Which way should you pick?
- One account, a few Reels a week: the Instagram app.
- Several accounts or platforms, or a whole week at once: a tool.
Want a DM to go out when someone comments on the Reel? See comment to DM.
FAQ
Can you schedule Reels on Instagram for free?
Yes. The Instagram app schedules Reels for free. sprkly Free does too: 3 accounts, 10 queued posts per account, no card.
How far ahead can I schedule a Reel?
Up to 30 days in the Instagram app. A tool holds the Reel as long as you like and sends it at your time.
How many Reels can I schedule a day?
Up to 25 a day in the Instagram app. Through a tool, Meta's docs give 50 to 100 API posts per account per 24 hours.
Can I add music to a scheduled Reel?
Not from Instagram's music library through a tool. Add the sound in your video edit before you upload.
Can I schedule a Reel on a computer?
Yes, with a scheduling tool or Meta Business Suite. The Instagram app scheduler is on your phone.
Can you schedule Reels on Later or Buffer?
Yes. Both schedule Reels. So do Publer, Metricool and sprkly.
Schedule your first Reel free: 3 accounts, no card. Start free.