How to schedule Instagram Reels (app, Meta Business Suite and tools)
Updated Oct 9, 2026
Instagram lets you schedule Reels in its own app and in Meta Business Suite, and scheduling tools can publish them for you too. Which one to use depends on how often you post and where else the video goes.
How to schedule a Reel in the Instagram app
- 1
Create the Reel
Tap +, choose Reel, pick or record the video and edit it.
- 2
Open Advanced settings
On the final screen, before sharing, scroll to More options or Advanced settings.
- 3
Schedule this Reel
Turn on Schedule this Reel, then choose the date and time.
- 4
Tap Schedule
The Reel waits in your Scheduled content list on your profile, where you can edit or cancel it.
Scheduling in Meta Business Suite
On a computer, Meta Business Suite (business.facebook.com) has a Planner where you can create a Reel, upload the video and schedule it for Instagram and your Facebook Page together. It is free and works well if Facebook and Instagram are your only networks. You need a professional Instagram account linked to a Facebook Page.
Scheduling with a tool
If the same video also goes to TikTok, YouTube Shorts or LinkedIn, a tool that covers all of them saves you posting the same clip several times. PostingClips publishes Reels through Instagram's official API: connect your Business or Creator account, upload or make the clip, and pick the time, or several clips in order. Each network gets its own caption and a slightly different posting time.
Which accounts can schedule Reels
Scheduling in the app is available to professional accounts (Business and Creator), and third-party tools can only publish to professional accounts. Switching from a personal account is free and takes a minute: Settings, Account type and tools, Switch to professional account. Your handle and followers stay the same.
Format and timing
Reels are vertical 9:16, 1080 × 1920. Keep text away from the bottom fifth of the screen, where the caption and buttons sit, and remember that the profile grid shows a 3:4 crop of the cover. For timing, weekday lunchtimes and evenings in your followers' time zone are a solid start.
- 9:16, 1080 × 1920, MP4 or MOV
- Caption up to 2,200 characters; 3 to 5 precise hashtags
- Start with 11:00–13:00 and 19:00–21:00 on weekdays