10 Tips to avoid losing quality on an Instagram story?

How can you avoid losing quality on an Instagram story? We answer this question by giving you 9 solutions for publishing better-quality stories.

10 Tips to avoid losing quality on an Instagram story?
Emeric
Senior Content Writer @ BoostFluence
Social Media
February 12, 2025

Do you lose quality when you share a photo or video in an Instagram story? No need to panic.

Instagram Stories can sometimes become blurry on iPhone and Android.

Let's look together at 10 tips you can try to avoid losing quality on your Instagram stories.

Why are your Instagram Stories blurry?

Instagram Stories can become poor quality due to one or more of these issues:

  • You've recently saved it your phone, some of your photos and videos may not have been saved correctly and may be corrupted.
  • Your Internet connection (most common problem)
  • Your smartphone automatically takes higher-resolution photos and Instagram automatically crops or reduces them.
  • Your version of Instagram might have a problem
  • You need to change the quality settings of your Instagram photos and videos.
  • You're not using the right format.

Let's now look at how to fix blurry Instagram content.

1 - Test the quality of your photo by sending it to a friend

First, let's check that the problem isn't coming from your phone.

Send the photo you want to publish in Story to a friend, in the form of a private message.

  • Does your friend see the photo in good or not?
  • Ask him to publish the photo in his Story to see the rendering
  • If he sees good quality, then it may not be the fault of the photos on your smartphone and the files are intact.
  • If it sees poor quality, then your phone needs help.

{{INTERN}}

Continue reading to see what you can try.

2 - Update the Instagram app so you don't lose quality

Secondly, let's check whether this is a problem with your version of Instagram.

Sometimes, Instagram makes a new update that changes the rendering of Instagram Stories.

  1. Go to your App Store / Google PlayStore app
  2. Search Instagram
  3. Check if there's a "Update" button you can press.
  4. After updating, post back to your Instagram Story.
  5. Check if the quality is better

If the quality isn't better, try tip #3.

3 - Test publishing quality with another file

This tip is for you if you've recently backed up your phone.

From time to time, a backup can modify/corrupt images and all other files.

So let's check if this is a problem with your old photos and videos.

  1. Take a new photo or video
  2. Publish it in your Story
  3. If it still looks bad, go to tip #4.
  4. If the quality is good: this means that your old photos and videos have been corrupted. They'll still be blurry. But you can try tip #4.

4 - Use only your mobile network

ameliorer qualite story reseau

This is one of the most common reasons why Instagram Stories lose quality.

It happens so many times.

And when it does, there's only one solution:

  1. Use your smartphone's mobile data - not your Wifi (disable your Wifi and make sure you only use your 4G).
  2. Publish to your Instagram Story
  3. If the rendering is good: congratulations, you've found the solution!
  4. If the quality is still poor: move on to tip no. 5.

Generally, mobile data has a more stable Internet connection. So you'll get better resolution posting from your mobile network.

5 - Adjust your camera settings

For Android users:

  1. Open the default Camera app on your smartphone.
  2. Tap the Settings icon (that's the gear-shaped icon).
  3. Adjust the image and video size to achieve the best possible quality.

For iPhone users:

  1. Open the'Settings application on your iPhone
  2. Find "Camera".
  3. Adjust the camera settings and enable "Smart DHR".

Another tip for the'iPhone:

Shoot images using the 16:9 option, like this:

astuce iphone ne pas perdre qualite story

6 - Disable the data saver in Instagram settings.

In general, the social network automatically disables your 4G usage.

This can cause your photos and videos to take longer to publish on Instagram. And it can blur your Instagram Stories.

To avoid losing quality, do this step-by-step:

  1. Open Instagram's app settings
  2. Click in "Media quality"
  3. Deactivate "Use less mobile data"

Publish your Story:

  • If it's good quality: great, you've solved the problem!
  • If it renders poorly: move on to tip #7.

7 - Activate "high-quality upload" settings on Instagram.

Under "Use less mobile data", you should see "High-quality uploads".

Enable this option.

This will help Instagram upload your content at a higher resolution.

Publish your content:

  • If it's good quality: fantastic, you've solved the problem.
  • If it's poor rendering: move on to tip #8.

8 - Use the Instagram app's camera

If none of these tips have worked so far, there are 2 more tricks you can try.

The first is to use Instagram's camera.

Why?

Because you'll be taking photos and videos that are exactly the right format for an Instagram Story. This means you'll have optimal photo and video quality.

The official size of an Instagram Story is:

  • 1080×1920

That's:

  • Width: 1080 pixels
  • Height: 1920 pixels

This size will mean you won't have to crop or stretch your Instagram Stories.

The photo or video will be ready to publish on Instagram.

You can post it now or press the "Save" button to post it later.

Click here to learn all about Instagram formats.

9 - Upload your content in a preview tool

Use the Boostfluence app if:

  • Your photos or videos have been damaged after a backup, or...
  • You want to post with Instagram requirements.

Here's what you need to do:

  1. Press the Insta Story button
  2. Press +.
  3. Upload a photo or video
  4. The photo or video appears in the preview

You can publish the Story now or later.

To publish on Instagram:

  1. Tap on the Story you wish to publish
  2. Tap on the "Share" button.
  3. Choose "Story" to publish to your Story

10 - Simplify your content as much as possible

If you lose quality when posting to the social network, it may be because your file is too large. Instagram therefore has trouble posting it.

The use of effects, stickers or the fact that you've run your file through other software or applications to adjust its colors beforehand can impact its rendering.

Then try to post content that's as simple as possible and the right dimensions (whatever the format). No effects, no retouching. This may solve your problem.

You now know how not to lose quality on your Instagram stories. Apply each of these tips step by step to solve your publishing problem.

Don't forget that social networks are tools for sharing content. If you want to perceive on Instagram, your content has to be perfect. A lower-resolution story and a story that engages your community less.

Conclusion: How to Maintain the Best Quality for Your Instagram Stories

Ensuring your Instagram Stories maintain high quality requires a combination of proper settings, correct file formats, and strong network conditions. By following the steps outlined in this guide—such as adjusting your camera settings, enabling high-quality uploads, and using Instagram’s built-in camera—you can significantly reduce quality loss when sharing your content.

If you continue to experience blurry or pixelated Stories, remember that Instagram applies automatic compression, which can vary depending on your account type, internet speed, and engagement levels. Testing different upload methods and keeping your app updated will help improve your results.

For those looking for a seamless way to ensure optimal story quality, tools like Boostfluence can help you preview and optimize content before posting, ensuring it meets Instagram’s requirements.

By applying these tips, you can keep your Instagram Stories looking clear, professional, and engaging, maximizing your impact on the platform.

Share this article

Get More Instagram Followers

Reach your target audience and grow your followers with interactive campaigns.

Start Growing Now

Swipe Up to Get More Followers!

Get More Instagram Followers

Reach your target audience and grow your followers with interactive campaigns.

Start Growing Now
Close

Explore our collection of 200+ Premium Webflow Templates