How to Add Instagram Reels Cover Photo

Need to add or edit an Instagram Reels cover photo? Follow our step-by-step guide on how to add and edit your Reels cover photo.

Posted 3 years ago

how-to-add-cover-photo-to-instagram-reels

Written by

Mackenzie Taylor

Posted 3 years ago

Is your Instagram Reel seriously messing up the look and feel of your Instagram feed? #ICYMI: You can add a cover photo to your Reel to make sure that it fits your feed and keeps your carefully curated aesthetic in place. Today we’re taking you through exactly how to add a cover photo to your Instagram Reel and edit the cover photo once it’s officially published!

How to Add a Cover Photo to Instagram Reels

It’s been proven that Instagram Reels perform best when they are shared to your profile, so making sure they fit the ‘gram can be important to the overall look of your grid. To do this, you’ll need to add a Reels cover, and here’s how you do that:

Once you have your Instagram reel created, head to the “Share” settings screen.
Click “Cover” on the preview image of your reel.
From here, you can select a still image from your Reel by dragging the slider icon across the footage. Or, you can click “Add from Camera Roll” at the bottom of the screen to upload an image from your phone.

You can preview and edit how your cover image will look in your profile grid by selecting “Crop profile image.” Drag the image to reposition, or shrink it with your fingertips to zoom in or out of the image.

How to Edit an Instagram Reels Cover Photo

After everyone pleaded Instagram for it, the app launched a recent update where you can now edit Instagram Reels cover photos. Huzzah! Now you can make sure all of your Reels look on-point and on-brand. Here’s how to do it:

Open a published Instagram Reel
Select the three dots on the side (below the share button)
Select Edit
Tap “Cover” on the preview image
Select an image by dragging the slider to a clip from the Reel, or select “Add from Camera Roll” to upload an image from your phone!

Once you have all of your Instagram Reels looking on point and on-brand, it’s time to really start breaking out the viral content to take your content to the next level. Need some help and ideas on what Instagram Reels you should do next? We’ve got you. We’ve also got the ultimate guide for all things Instagram Reels and what you should be paying attention to when it comes to creating your content.

Talk Social To Me

Get the latest social media gossip, memes, news and tips sent straight to your inbox.

More articles related to

Instagram Reels

15 Instagram Reels Ideas to Post Today

In need of some engaging ideas for your Instagram Reels content? Look no further, we’ve got your back. Here are our top 15 Reels formats!

Sam King

9 months ago

The Best Time to Post on Instagram in 2025

If you’re struggling to figure out when to post on your account, we’ve broken down the best times to post on Instagram so you can reach your followers when they’re most active.

Mackenzie Taylor

7 months ago

How to go Viral on Instagram Reels 2025

Instagram’s new feature is exciting, and creators have welcomed it with open arms, but, how do you go viral on Instagram Reels?

Julia Cohen

7 months ago

Return to Blog Home