How to Post Instagram Reels Longer Than 90 Seconds Without Cutting Them Down
If you've ever tried to upload a video to Instagram that’s longer than 90 seconds, you know the frustration: Instagram insists that you trim it down. But what if your video tells a story that requires more time? In this guide, I’m going to show you a simple trick to post videos longer than 90 seconds on Instagram—without sacrificing any content—and still have them appear in the Reels tab.
Hi, I’m Anita Wong, a video marketing expert, and on my channel, I share tips about Facebook and Instagram marketing, along with the entire Meta suite. Today, we’re tackling a common issue faced by many content creators: uploading longer videos to Instagram without being forced to chop them down to fit Instagram’s Reels limits.
So, let’s jump straight into the solution!
Why Instagram Wants to Shorten Your Reels
Instagram’s Reel feature is designed for short, snappy videos. By default, Instagram limits Reel lengths to 90 seconds, encouraging quick, engaging content. But what if your video is longer than that? Maybe you’re sharing a tutorial, a behind-the-scenes clip, or another format that just doesn’t fit into those 90 seconds. Thankfully, there’s a way around it.
The Trick: Post as a Regular Post, Not a Reel
Here’s the workaround: instead of uploading your video directly as a Reel, you can post it as a regular post. Here’s how:
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Open Instagram and Click the Plus Button: When you’re ready to post your video, go to the main screen, click the “+” button, and select the “Post” option instead of “Reel.”
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Select Your Video: Choose the video you want to upload. In my case, I’m working with a video that’s 2 minutes and 42 seconds long. Instagram would typically make me cut this down if I selected the Reels option, but as a regular post, I can keep the entire video intact.
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Edit Your Video: You’ll still have access to all of Instagram’s usual editing tools, even though you’re posting it as a regular post. You can:
- Add audio or voiceovers
- Include text or stickers
- Trim or adjust your footage (if you choose)
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Choose Your Cover Image: After editing, you’ll be prompted to select a cover image. You can choose one from the video itself or upload a custom cover from your camera roll to make your post visually appealing.
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Customize Your Grid Appearance: Instagram allows you to decide whether the video will appear on both your main profile grid and your Reels tab or just in the Reels tab. Even though you’re posting this as a regular post, it will still show up as a Reel, giving you the best of both worlds: long-form content in the reel format.
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Write Your Caption and Share: Add your caption, hashtags, and any relevant tags before clicking “Share.” And voilà! You’ve successfully posted a Reel that’s longer than 90 seconds.
Keeping Instagram Open While Posting
One thing to note: Instagram recommends keeping the app open while your video is uploading, especially for longer videos. This ensures that your post goes through smoothly and doesn’t get interrupted by background processes.
Why This Trick Works
Even though Instagram imposes a time limit on videos uploaded directly as Reels, it allows longer videos when they’re posted as regular posts. By selecting the regular post option, you can bypass the 90-second cut-off while still having your video show up in the Reels tab, giving it the same exposure and engagement benefits as traditional Reels.
Results: Your Long Video as a Reel
Once your video is uploaded, head over to your profile. You’ll see that it appears both on your main profile grid and under your Reels tab. And when you play the video, it runs for the full length—no trimming required! So whether your video is two minutes, three minutes, or longer, Instagram will treat it like a Reel, giving you the full functionality without forcing you to make cuts.
Wrapping Up
This simple trick allows you to share longer, more in-depth content on Instagram while still taking advantage of the platform’s popular Reels feature. Whether you're a business owner sharing tutorials or a content creator sharing storytelling videos, you no longer have to compromise on length.
If this tip has helped you, be sure to subscribe to my channel for more insights on Instagram marketing, and give this video a thumbs up.
Thank you for watching, and happy posting!
