If you’re struggling to take photos via Instagram, or you’ve managed to accidentally deny the app permission to use your device’s camera, we’re here to show you how to enable camera access on Instagram.
Note: You can do this on any mobile or tablet device, but not on the desktop version of the app.
Note: When you first open the Instagram app, you will be asked to grant the app access to various things such as your camera, microphone, etc. You can do so easily there and then by tapping ‘OK’ or ‘Yes’ in the pop-up window. The following tutorials, however, are for those who need to alter camera access permissions in their device’s settings.
Table of Contents
How to enable camera access on Instagram (iOS)
- Open the Settings app on your iOS device
- Scroll down to the apps section, and locate Instagram, then tap on it to open the Instagram settings
- You should now see a list of the permissions the Instagram app has been granted on your iOS device, locate ‘Camera’ and toggle it to ON by tapping the greyed-out slider
- Once toggled to ON/green, you have successfully enabled camera access on Instagram, and can now use all camera features on the app
- Note: If you return to Instagram and find you still cannot use your camera, simply restart your phone and the issue should be fixed
How to enable camera access on Instagram (Android)
- Open the Settings app on your Android device
- Scroll down to and tap on Apps
- Scroll through the list until you find Instagram, then tap on it
- Scroll down to App settings > Permissions, tap on ‘Permissions’
- You should now see a list of the permissions the Instagram app has been granted on your Android device, locate ‘Camera’ and toggle it to ON by tapping the greyed-out slider
- Once toggled to ON/green, you have successfully enabled camera access on Instagram, and can now use all camera features on the app
- Note: If you return to Instagram and find you still cannot use your camera, simply restart your phone and the issue should be fixed
And that’s all there is to it! If you’re having trouble using your camera’s features on Instagram, follow our tutorials above and you’ll be able to fix the issue in seconds.
For all other information, or if you still have unanswered queries, please direct your attention to our FAQ section below.
Frequently asked questions
Why would I want or need to enable camera access on Instagram?
Instagram is one of the most popular image and video-sharing social media platforms in the world, and it has been for around a decade now (which in social media terms, is a long time!) On Instagram, you can follow your friends, your family, your favorite businesses, brands, artists, and celebrity personalities. By following them, you can see what they’re posting – be it personal pics or updates about their business, gig posters, or funny videos.
However, it’s likely you’re on Instagram because you have something to say, as well. Probably you’ve got pictures and videos you’d like to post, things you’d like to say with a photo, stories you’d like to keep your followers updated with. Whilst not absolutely necessary (you can always take pictures via your camera app and then select them in Instagram later), it can be really handy, if not crucial, to enable camera access on Instagram.
Doing so allows you to take photos and videos via your device’s camera directly through the Instagram app, rather than having to use the more circuitous route described above. For such things as Instagram Live streams, as well as posting stories, it is absolutely necessary to do so. Thankfully, we’re here to teach you how.
Can Instagram see through my device’s camera at all times?
No. We fully understand that this is a worry for many people – allowing any app access to your camera comes with the connotation that the app will now be able to almost spy on you. However, this is not the case. Allowing an app (including Instagram) access to your camera just means that you’ve said it’s okay for it to use your camera in appropriate circumstances.
In other words, enabling Instagram access to your camera means you can use Instagram to take pictures when you open up the ‘Create Post’ tab. It does not mean that Instagram can see through or open your camera at any other time.
Can I disable Instagram camera access at a later date?
Yes, absolutely. In order to do so, you simply have to reverse the process we describe above. In other words, head back into your phone’s settings, locate Instagram in your app list, and then toggle Camera permissions to OFF.
Note, however, that this will disable you from using your camera through the Instagram app, and that you will most likely receive several pop-ups from Instagram when you next use the app, asking you to turn camera permissions back on. You can continue to ignore these if you like.
