Instagram is a popular social media platform that allows users to share photos and videos with their followers. One important aspect of any Instagram post is the thumbnail, which is the image that represents your content before someone clicks on it. But what if you want to change the thumbnail after you’ve already posted?
Unfortunately, Instagram does not currently offer a feature to directly change the thumbnail of a post once it has been published. However, there are a couple of workarounds that you can try.
One option is to use the Instagram Reels feature. When you create a Reel, you have the ability to change the cover photo before posting. Simply tap on the “Edit” button after recording your Reel, then select the “Cover” option. From there, you can choose a new image to serve as the thumbnail for your Reel.
Another option is to use Instagram’s Creator Studio on a computer. This is a tool that allows you to manage and schedule your Instagram posts from a desktop or laptop. To change the thumbnail using Creator Studio, log in to your account and click on “Create Post.” Choose the “Instagram Feed” option and upload your video. Then, click on “Add cover” from the right side of the screen. You can then select a thumbnail image of your choice by clicking on “Custom Upload.” click “Publish” to update the thumbnail.
It’s worth noting that if you want to change the order of images in a carousel post, Instagram does not currently offer a feature to rearrange them directly on the app. However, you can work around this limitation by deleting and re-adding images in the desired order. Just remember that there must always be at least two photos in the carousel for this hack to work.
While Instagram does not provide a straightforward way to change a post’s thumbnail after it has been published, you can try using the Reels feature or Instagram’s Creator Studio on a computer to update the thumbnail. And if you want to change the order of images in a carousel post, you can use a workaround by deleting and re-adding images.
Can You Change the Cover Photo of an Instagram Post?
You can change the cover photo of an Instagram post. Here are the steps to do it:
1. Open the Instagram app on your mobile device.
2. Go to your profile by tapping the profile icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.
3. Find the post for which you want to change the cover photo.
4. Tap on the post to open it.
5. At the bottom right corner of the post, you will see three dots in a vertical line. Tap on these dots.
6. A menu will appear. From the menu, select the “Edit” option.
7. This will take you to the editing screen for the post. At the bottom of the screen, you will see a button that says “Cover.” Tap on it.
8. You will now have the ability to change the cover photo. You can select a new photo from your gallery or take a new photo using the camera.
9. Once you have selected the new cover photo, tap on “Done” or “Save” to apply the changes.
10. The cover photo of your Instagram post will now be updated with the new image you selected.
Note: The ability to change the cover photo of an Instagram post is currently only available for Instagram Reels and IGTV videos, not for regular photo or video posts.

Can You Change the Photo After Posting on Instagram?
It is not possible to change or replace a photo that has been posted on Instagram. Once a photo is uploaded and shared on the platform, it cannot be edited or modified. This means that you cannot add a different photo or replace the existing one.
Additionally, it is worth noting that you also cannot change the filter of a posted photo on Instagram. The filter applied at the time of posting is permanent and cannot be altered.
If you are unsatisfied with a photo you have posted on Instagram, your only option is to delete the post and start over by uploading a new photo. Unfortunately, there is no way to tweak or modify the photo once it has been shared on the platform.
Instagram does not provide a feature to change or replace photos that have already been posted. You can only delete the post and upload a new photo if you wish to make a change.
How Do You Post a Thumbnail on Instagram?
To post a thumbnail on Instagram, you can use Instagram Creator Studio on your computer. Follow these step-by-step instructions:
1. Visit Creator Studio on your computer and log in to your Instagram account.
2. Once logged in, click on “Create Post” and select “Instagram Feed” from the options.
3. Click on “Add Content” and upload the video that you want to post.
4. To set a specific thumbnail for your video, click on “Add cover” from the right side of the screen.
5. Now, click on “Custom Upload” and select the desired thumbnail image from your computer.
6. Double-check that the thumbnail accurately represents your video content.
7. click on “Publish” to post your video with the chosen thumbnail.
Can You Change First Photo on Instagram Post?
It is possible to change the first photo on an Instagram post. However, please note that once a carousel post is published, there is no direct feature available on the app to rearrange the images. Nevertheless, there is a workaround that involves deleting and re-adding the images in the desired order.
Here are the steps to change the first photo on an Instagram post:
1. Open the Instagram app on your device and navigate to your profile.
2. Locate the post that you want to modify and tap on the three dots (…) at the top-right corner of the post.
3. Select the “Delete” option to remove the entire carousel post.
4. Now, you need to recreate the post with the images in the desired order.
5. Tap on the plus icon (+) at the bottom-center of the screen to create a new post.
6. Choose multiple images from your gallery by tapping on the “Select Multiple” button (looks like two overlapping squares) at the bottom-right corner. Select the images in the order you want them to appear, ensuring that there are at least two photos in the album.
7. Tap on the “Next” button at the top-right corner.
8. You can apply filters, add captions, and adjust other settings for the post if desired.
9. tap on the “Share” button to publish the new carousel post with the modified image order.
It’s important to keep in mind that this method will delete the existing likes, comments, and engagement on the original post. The new post will be treated as a separate entity, so any interactions on the previous post will not carry over to the new one.
Please note that Instagram’s features and functionalities are subject to change over time, so the steps outlined above may vary slightly in future updates.
Conclusion
Changing the thumbnail or cover photo on Instagram can be a bit tricky depending on the type of post. For regular feed posts, once a photo is posted, you cannot change the thumbnail or filter. However, if you are using Instagram Creator Studio on your computer, you have the option to upload a custom thumbnail image before publishing a video post.
When it comes to Instagram Reels, you can actually change the cover photo after posting. Simply tap the edit button on your Reel, then select “Cover” and choose a new photo from your gallery. This allows you to have more control over the thumbnail image that represents your Reel.
Unfortunately, for carousel posts, there is no feature available on the app to rearrange images. However, you can still change the order by deleting and re-adding images. Just keep in mind that there must always be at least two photos in the album for this workaround to be effective.
While Instagram does have some limitations when it comes to changing thumbnails and cover photos, there are still options available depending on the type of post you are working with. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the different features and functionalities of Instagram to make the most out of your posts and ensure they are visually appealing to your audience.