Connecting Instagram
1
Switch to a Professional account
PostLayr requires an Instagram Business or Creator account. In the Instagram app: Profile → ☰ → Settings → Account → Switch to Professional Account.
2
Link to a Facebook Page
PostLayr uses Meta's official API, which requires your Instagram account to be linked to a Facebook Page. Go to Instagram Settings → Linked accounts → Facebook. Create a new Page if you don't have one — it can stay private.
3
Click "Connect Instagram Account" in PostLayr
From your Dashboard, click the "Connect Instagram Account" button. You'll be redirected to Facebook to grant PostLayr permission to publish on your behalf.
4
Authorise PostLayr
Grant all requested permissions — they're all required for PostLayr to publish posts. After confirming, you'll be redirected back to PostLayr and your account will appear connected.
Token expiry: Instagram access tokens expire roughly every 60 days. PostLayr auto-refreshes them when possible. If you see "Token expired" next to an account, click Refresh on the Dashboard.
Media specifications
Image
Formats
JPG, PNG, WebP
Max size
30 MB
Aspect ratio
1:1, 4:5, 1.91:1
Carousel
Count
2–10 images
Max per image
30 MB
Aspect ratio
1:1 recommended
Reel
Format
MP4 (H.264), MOV
Max size
500 MB
Duration
3–90 seconds
Reels: Must be H.264 video + AAC audio, 9:16 portrait orientation, 23–60 fps. Reels take 1–4 minutes to process before going live — PostLayr waits automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Why does PostLayr need a Facebook Page?
Meta's Instagram Graph API — the official API used by all scheduling tools — requires Instagram to be connected to a Facebook Page. This is a Meta requirement, not a PostLayr choice. The Facebook Page can be empty and private; it just needs to exist and be linked.
What happens if a post fails to publish?
PostLayr retries failed posts up to 3 times. If it hits Instagram's rate limit, it re-queues the post for after the rate window resets. If the post keeps failing, it's marked as "Failed" in your dashboard with the error message. Most failures are due to expired tokens or content that violates Instagram's policies.
Can I schedule posts to a personal Instagram account?
No. Meta's API only supports Business and Creator accounts. You can convert your personal account to Creator in Instagram settings — Creator accounts retain all personal account features while adding professional tools.
Is my Instagram password stored by PostLayr?
Never. PostLayr uses OAuth — you log in directly on Meta/Facebook, and they send PostLayr a secure access token. Your Instagram password is never transmitted to or stored by PostLayr.
How do I cancel my subscription?
When subscription payments are active, you can cancel anytime from the Pricing page. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your billing period. Your account remains on the paid plan until then, and you'll automatically move to the Free plan after.