4 Easy Ways to Schedule Instagram Reels (Including ChatGPT!)

Posting Reels consistently is no small task, especially when you’re managing multiple accounts, chasing trends, and trying to hit the perfect posting time.

But the good news is that you don’t have to do it all manually. With the right tools and a few smart workflows, scheduling Instagram Reels can be quick, seamless, and stress-free. These tools will help you stay organized, save time, and show up on your audience’s feeds regularly without stress.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through four easy ways to schedule Instagram Reels and share some simple tips, so you can make the most of your posting schedule.

So, let’s start.

How to Schedule Reels on Instagram? (4 Easy Ways)

Basically, there are four different ways to schedule a Reel on Instagram, each with its own perks. These include using the Instagram Native Feature, Meta Business Suite, Scheduling Tool, and ChatGPT.

Before we dive into the step-by-step process, let’s take a quick look at these four methods:

• Native App: Instagram’s native feature to schedule or post Instagram Reels is useful for those who need it occasionally. It works well for both desktop and mobile users; however, it does have a few limitations that we will discuss later in this blog.
• Meta Business Suite: Using the Meta Business Suite to schedule Reels on Instagram is a good option. However, if you are a beginner, you might be overwhelmed by the complex interface.
• SocialPilot Tool: You can schedule Instagram Reels with SocialPilot. This Instagram scheduling tool has several advantages over the native app and the Meta Business Suite. It boasts numerous features that fill the void left by other options.
• Using ChatGPT: ChatGPT can be used to not just generate captions or thumbnails, but also schedule Instagram Reels. You can do this using SocialPilot’s GPT Scheduler, which we will discuss later in this blog.

Now that we have talked about the methods, let’s explore the steps to schedule Reels on Instagram in all the ways mentioned above.

How to Schedule Reels Natively (Using Desktop)

Those with business or creator accounts can use the Instagram native feature either on Desktops or mobiles to schedule IG Reels.

However, native scheduling comes with some limitations, such as a scheduling limit of 25 Instagram posts per day (including Reels, posts, and carousels) for a period of up to 75 days in the future.

If these limitations work for you, follow the steps below to schedule Instagram Reels using the native feature on desktop:

Step 1: Log in and Upload the Reel

Open your Instagram account on the mobile application, tap “+” (create), and then Reel.

Step 2: Customize the Details of the Reel

After selecting the Reel you want to schedule, customize all the necessary details. Add a cover image, select the frame size, write a caption, tag people, specify your audience, add music, include a location, and complete any other required fields to finalize your post setup.

Now, to find the scheduling options, click on “Advanced Settings.”

Step 3: Pick a Date and Time for You Reel

In the advanced setting, you can turn on the “Schedule This Reel” option and set the preferred time and date for scheduling this Reel.

Step 4: Finally, Schedule the Reel

Once you’ve chosen the best date and time for your Reel, tap “Done” and then hit the “Back” button to finalize the scheduling.

The “Schedule” button on the page will now be active. Just tap on it, and your Instagram Reel will be scheduled.

However, before you begin, please note the following limitations of the native scheduling feature.

How to Schedule Reels on Instagram Natively (Using the Mobile App)

Professional account holders can also schedule Instagram Reels directly using the Instagram app on their iOS or Android devices.

It’s a great option if you’re managing your own content casually without switching to a professional account. Here’s how to do it:

• Step 1: Open the Instagram app,tap “+”, and select Reel
• Step 2: Upload your video and add details – caption, cover, tags, etc.
• Step 3: Tap on Advanced Settings, then enable Schedule this Reel
• Step 4: Choose your desired time and date
• Step 5: Tap “Done” and then hit Schedule to finalize

Note: Make sure your Instagram app is updated to access this feature.

If not all, some of these limitations will hinder your social media game in one way or another. So why waste your efforts when you have great scheduling tools like SocialPilot Social Media Scheduler to support your growth?

But before we dive into how amazing this tool is, let’s wash our hands off by learning how to schedule a Reel on Instagram with Meta Business Suite.

How to Schedule IG Reels using Meta Business Suite

When comparing the Meta feature with Instagram native scheduling, Meta Business Suite has the upper hand, given its flexibility and fewer limitations.

To schedule a Reel on Instagram using Meta Business Suite, follow these steps:

Step 1: Log in and Click on “Create Reel”

Log in to your business account using Meta Business Suite. Click on the “Create Reel” option on the homepage.

Step 2: Select Your Instagram Account and Upload Video

Now select the page on which you want to schedule the Instagram Reel.

Once you’ve done this, upload the video, add a caption, hashtags, and a thumbnail, and invite people to collaborate.

Step 3: Change and Edit the Reel as Needed

In the next stage, you can make changes and edit your video.

Remember, you can only schedule Reels up to 90 seconds or less with Meta Business Suite.

Step 4: Click “Next” and Schedule Reel

After furnishing your Reel with all the elements, click on “Next” -> “Schedule”. Pick the most suitable time and date to schedule Reels.

Meta Business Suite only has a scheduling window of 20 minutes to 29 days ahead. Ensure your scheduling falls within this timeframe.

These limitations are alarming signals that you need a better social media management tool like SocialPilot to grow your Instagram presence.

Using SocialPilot Scheduler helps creators bridge that gap with greater flexibility and advanced features that other tools often miss.

How to Schedule Reels on Instagram using SocialPilot?

Scheduling Reels on Instagram can save a lot of time and ensure consistency while reaching the right audience at the right time. However, native Instagram and MBS schedulers have several restrictions that can eventually hinder your growth.

With a scheduling tool like SocialPilot, you can plan, automate, and manage your Reels effortlessly with endless advanced features.

Let’s learn how to schedule a Reel on Instagram with SocialPilot and leverage its advanced features.

Step 1: Connect Your Profile to SocialPilot

Your journey towards successful social media management starts by connecting your Instagram profile with your SocialPilot account.

To connect, log in to your SocialPilot account on your desktop and click on Account -> Connect Account -> Instagram.

Choose the profile you want to connect: Personal or Business.

PS: SocialPilot also allows you to schedule posts or Reels for private accounts, a feature missing natively on Instagram and Meta Business Suite. Ensure you provide access to SocialPilot while connecting to ensure seamless scheduling.

Step 2: Create a Post and Switch to the Instagram Tab

Once your profile is connected to your SocialPilot account, click “Create Post” and switch to the Instagram tab.

Then, you can pick the option “Reel” to schedule your Reel.

Step 3: Upload the Reel You Want to Schedule

The Next step is to pick the media from your device. Ensure your video is less than 15 minutes long, and follow the recommended aspect ratio of 9:16 for best results.

To schedule Reels with SocialPilot, choose a file from your device or Dropbox, Google Drive, or Box Cloud Storage.

Step 4: Customize and Pick Publishing Option

After uploading your Reel, complete the final setup before scheduling. Add a caption with relevant hashtags and emojis, upload a thumbnail, tag people, add music, set a first comment if needed, and specify the location. Once everything is in place, you’ll be ready to choose your publishing option.

The final step while composing your Reel is to pick between the Direct Publishing or Mobile Reminder option. (only available on desktop)

Direct Publishing: Your Reel will be published directly at the scheduled time. (only available for business and creator accounts)

Mobile Reminder: You’ll receive an Instagram reminder when direct posting, prompting you to share your post further.

Step 5: Select Account and Schedule Posts or Reel

Before you move to scheduling options, select the Instagram account on which you want to share the Reel.

Then, you can pick from our multiple scheduling options and schedule Instagram Reels for the most suitable time.

Still, facing issues scheduling Instagram reel? Go through our detailed help document to win over Instagram strategy, or watch the below video.

How to Schedule Instagram Reels on Mobile Using SocialPilot App

Up next is scheduling Instagram Reels on mobile devices using the SocialPilot mobile application. This can help creators schedule their Reels with advanced features, right on their mobile devices.

Step 1: Log In to Your SocialPilot Account and Click on “+”

After downloading the SocialPilot mobile application, log in and click “+” at the bottom of the screen to start creating the Reels.

Step 2: Compose the Post and Select Your Instagram Account

You can prepare your post by uploading the video and writing a description and hashtags.

Next, you must select the Instagram account for the Reels to go live.

Step 3: Preview the Post and Pick the Scheduling Option

After composing your Reel, preview it by tapping the “Preview Post” option at the top right corner to catch any errors. Once you’re happy with it, click the “Next” button at the bottom, choose your scheduling option, and you’re set.

Your Reel will go live at the scheduled time.

SocialPilot isn’t just another scheduling tool; it’s your all-in-one command center for Instagram Reels, packed with more features, flexibility, and control than most other platforms.

SocialPilot has helped over 13,000 users transform the way they manage their social media. Many marketing agencies are tapping into its smart, data-driven scheduling to plan better, post smarter, and drive real results.

How to Schedule Instagram Reels with ChatGPT

While ChatGPT alone can’t schedule Instagram Reels, we’ve supercharged it with SocialPilot’s AI Scheduler – so you can plan, create, and schedule content without ever leaving your ChatGPT dashboard. Everything you need to manage Instagram Reels is now just a few prompts away.

Step 1: Open ChatGPT to Access SocialPilot’s AI Scheduler

First things first, open the SocialPilot AI Scheduler in ChatGPT. Then all you have to do is type in a simple prompt like, “Log me into my SocialPilot account to start managing my posts.” Then use your SocialPilot credentials (email and password) to authenticate.

You may also need to allow access permissions for scheduling and posting.

Step 2: Generate Content for Your Instagram Reels

At this stage, you have full flexibility: you can either upload your Reel directly, provide an accessible link to your video, or even ask ChatGPT to generate a series of images that you can stitch together as a Reel.

Once the Reel part is sorted, prompt ChatGPT to generate captions, hashtags, and even a first comment to boost engagement.

Here is a ChatGPT prompt you can try for captions: “Give me [5–7] thought-provoking Instagram Reel captions that align with a [tone: witty/inspirational/sarcastic/educational] voice. The Reel is about [insert theme or topic] and is meant to speak to [target audience].”

Step 3: Get a Thumbnail for Your Reel

No need to stress about finding the perfect thumbnails for your Reels. Just ask the AI scheduler to “Generate thumbnails for this Reel,” and it’ll create the perfect background, graphics, or visual elements to match your content.

The tool will come up with 3-4 thumbnail suggestions, just click on them to download and use the one that fits your Reel best.

Step 4: Schedule Your Reel for Optimal Impact

Once you’ve got your content and captions ready, it’s time to schedule your Reel. You can choose the exact date and time that aligns with your audience’s peak activity or you can use ChatGPT’s insights to suggest the best posting times for your audience based on your niche.

Then simply prompt the tool to schedule the post at your preferred time, and SocialPilot’s AI Scheduler will take care of the rest.

And don’t worry if you have different time zones to account for – SocialPilot’s AI Scheduler has got you covered.

Step 5: Save Your Reels as Drafts

Don’t want to post it yet? Well, you also have the option to save your post as a draft. Just prompt the tool to save the Reel along with the selected thumbnail to your drafts.

This allows you to keep everything in one place and make any final tweaks before scheduling. Plus, you’ll always have time to review your posts!

Step 6: Check Your Pending Draft Posts

Want to check your already existing post drafts? Just ask the scheduler with a prompt like, “How many drafts are pending for publishing?”

It’ll give you a clear overview of your scheduled content, so you always know where you stand.

Using SocialPilot’s AI Scheduler will not just save you time, but will help you streamline the whole process of planning, creating, and scheduling Instagram Reels.

It’s an easy way to stay on top of your content without the headache of manually managing every post.

Give it a try and see how much more efficient your content planning can be!

How to Find and Edit Scheduled Reels on Instagram?

After scheduling, the job is almost done, but what if you face the need to change the time of your scheduled Reel to another date or time? Knowing how to edit scheduled Reels on Instagram is vital for such situations.

Here’s how you can edit Reels:

Edit Reels on the Instagram App

If you have scheduled your Reel using the Instagram native application, follow the steps below.

1. Open your Instagram profile (through which you have scheduled the reel) on mobile.

2. Tap the triple lines menu at the top right corner of your profile, then tap “Scheduled Content.”

3. Next, tap triple dots menu to open the editing options, then make the changes as needed.

Remember, in the native Instagram app, you only have three options to manage and schedule your Reels: Delete, Reschedule, and Share Now. For more advanced features, you can schedule Reels using SocialPilot.

Find and Edit Instagram Reels on Meta Business Suite

If you have scheduled your Instagram Reel using Meta Business Suite and want to reschedule it, here are the steps to find and edit your Reel.

1. To start, log into your Meta Business account and click the “Content” tab from the left menu bar.

2. After that, select the “Posts and Reels” tab from the left corner and then pick the Scheduled Content tab from the top menu, and all your scheduled reels will appear.

3. Now, just click on the triple dots menu to edit or reschedule your reel for a later date and time, and you’re done.

How to Find and Edit Instagram Reels on SocialPilot?

The next up is editing your Reel if you have scheduled it using the SocialPilot scheduler.

1. On your SocialPilot tool dashboard, click “Posts” and “Manage Posts” from the left-side menu bar.

2. Depending on your access, you can find your scheduled reel either in the Queue post section or the Pending Review section.

Or simply in the “filter post” option, you can select the Instagram account, and all the Reels scheduled from it will appear.

3. Find the reel you want to edit, hover over it, and click on the “Edit” button to reschedule it for another time or simply edit other details.

Edit Instagram Reels on Mobile

Have you scheduled your Instagram Reel using the SocialPilot mobile app? Then follow these steps to edit or reschedule your Reel on mobile.

1. Open SocialPilot on your dashboard and find the queued posts listed, which will include your scheduled Instagram Reels
2. Click on the Reel you wish to edit and then click on the triple dots displayed over it.
3. A pop-up will allow you to edit and reschedule the reel.
4. Click on the “Reschedule” button to change the time and date when you want the Reel to go live.

How to Delete Scheduled Reels?

What if you no longer need the Reel you scheduled some time back? You may want to delete the Reel because of the change in plans or campaign.

Below, we have included a simple procedure you can follow to delete the scheduled Reels on Instagram:

Delete Scheduled Reels on the Instagram App

To delete a scheduled Reel on the Instagram native app, go to your Instagram profile and then settings.

In settings, you can find an option for “Scheduled Contents” to locate your Reel.

By clicking on the triple dot menu on the Reel, just delete.

Deleting Scheduled Reels on Meta Business Suite

Deleting the Reel you have scheduled via Meta Business is the same as editing it. Just open your account and go to your content.

Select the “Posts and Reels” tab and then the “Scheduled” tab to locate the Reel you want to delete.

Here, you can see all your scheduled posts. To differentiate your posts better, you can even set filters for your Instagram account.

To delete a Reel or multiple Reels, select them, hover over the preview, click on the three dots, and click the “Delete Reels” button.

How to Delete Scheduled Reels on SocialPilot?

If you want to delete a Reel or bulk-delete scheduled Reels on the SocialPilot tool, here are the easy-peasy steps:

Open the app -> Posts -> Manage Posts -> Add Filter.

Select the Reel or Reels you want to delete. Then, simply click the Delete button on the top menu bar.

Process to Delete Scheduled Reels on Mobile?

Last, let’s learn how to delete scheduled reels on mobile devices using SocialPilot.

Open the SocialPilot mobile app, go to the queued posts section, and find your scheduled reel.

Click on the reel’s triple dot menu. A pop-up will appear with an option to delete the reel.

Why Can’t I Schedule Reels on Instagram?

If you are unable to schedule a reel on Instagram, there can be one of the following reasons:

• You do not have a business or creator account (SocialPilot offers scheduling reels for private accounts)
• You are using an old version of the Instagram app (Update your Instagram application)
• The scheduling feature is not available in your region
• Posting content that is against Instagram Community Guidelines

Top Strategies for Scheduling Instagram Reels

We have created a space that facilitates every element you need for your social media scheduling today or tomorrow.

So here’s a round of top strategies SocialPilot brings into your everyday scheduling plan and management.

1. Leverage AI for Smarter, Stress-Free Scheduling

AI has become a powerful ally for social media teams, not just for speed, but for strategy. Instead of spending hours crafting captions, guessing the best time to post, or reworking the tone of your message, AI can streamline the entire process.

So, without any question, you need to start incorporating AI into your workflow. If you use a scheduling tool like SocialPilot, it becomes easier as you get a built-in AI Pilot tool and helps you:

• Generate engaging captions and content ideas
• Create relevant, high-performing hashtags
• Rephrase posts or adjust tone based on your target audience
• Translate your content into 10 languages for global consistency

Even better, it syncs seamlessly with your scheduling, allowing you to save time and schedule smarter.

2. Understand Best Time to Post

The biggest benefit of scheduling a reel is that it allows you to auto-publish it at the best time, pre-preparing the reel for better visibility.

To understand the best time to post reels on Instagram, the SocialPilot analytics tool provides detailed insights into audiences’ habits.

With strategic timing, your Instagram reels will get maximum attention and higher engagement rates.

3. Collaborate with Client and Team

Scheduling is a smart feature for social media managers who struggle to get client approval on time.

When you schedule a reel using SocialPilot, you can collaborate with the team and invite the client for their approval. It spares you from the back-and-forth communication that, after a point, turns meaningless.

With this technique, your Instagram strategy can work with smart scheduling and approval.

4. Capitalize on Trends and Timely Topics

As a marketer, you have a habit of planning months of content in advance and scheduling tools make this process much easier. However, it is vital to leave some space for real-time trends and topics.

SocialPilot has features to pause all your scheduled Instagram posts for a particular account, so when you have anything fresh coming up, don’t fret; just schedule it and adjust the previously scheduled Reels or posts.

This strategy will help you keep up the game without shuffling your scheduled content.

5. Stay Flexible – Because Things Change Fast

Planning ahead is smart, but in the world of social media, flexibility is everything. Scheduling your Reels too far in advance can leave you unprepared when something unexpected pops up – whether it’s a trending audio, a viral meme, or a moment that calls for sensitivity.

That’s why it’s important to build space into your calendar. Schedule your evergreen content in advance, but leave room to pause, tweak, or swap posts when needed. This will help you stay relevant without scrambling.

Final Words

Scheduling Instagram Reels isn’t just about convenience; it’s about showing up consistently and making every post count.

If you’re just starting out or posting occasionally, Instagram’s native scheduling feature is a solid, no-fuss option, especially for personal, creator, or business accounts sticking to basic needs.

But if you’re managing multiple accounts, planning content in bulk, or looking for deeper insights and more flexibility, native tools will quickly feel limited. That’s where advanced schedulers like SocialPilot come in.

It combines features like AI-assisted content planning, multi-account management, visual previews, and smarter timing suggestions into your content strategy to ensure your scheduled Reel reaches the audience and truly connects.

Turn every Reel into a standout piece with SocialPilot. Start your 14-day free trial today.