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Free Guide

Keep Your Quality
Crisp On Instagram

Instagram compression destroys your edits. This is the exact process I use to export and upload so your work actually looks the way it’s meant to. Follow it top to bottom.

01Export In QuickTime
Export from your editor using QuickTime — this gives you a .MOV file. Set the codec to Apple ProRes 4444. It’s a big file, but it’s maximum quality to work from.
02Convert To MP4
Convert the .MOV to MP4 using one of these:
Topaz Video AI — what I use (paid)
topazlabs.com/downloads
Codec H264 · Model Proteus · Fix compression 20 · Improve detail 15 · Sharpen 10 · Reduce noise 0 · Dehalo 20 · Anti-alias/deblur -10 · Export MP4 / 40 Mb/s
HandBrake — free alternative
handbrake.fr/downloads.php
Export to MP4 at a high bitrate. Stick with H264 over H265 — H265 tends to crush dark areas more, since the encoder treats shadows as “less viewed” and gives them less data. On cinematic/dark footage that really shows.
03Move The File Without Crushing It
Don’t email it or send it through random messaging apps — a lot of them compress it and undo all your work. Send it to yourself through Google Drive (or any similar cloud service) and download it on your phone. That keeps it at full quality.
04Upload Through The Edits App
This is the bit most people miss. Download Edits:
iPhone — App Store
Android — Google Play

In the top-right menu, enable 4K and set it to HDR. Then tap the Instagram icon (bottom left) to upload straight out, and add your caption and tags there.
Apple devices are generally better optimised for this, so use one if you can — iPads and other Apple devices will most often work the same as an iPhone. If you’re on Android, just use the Edits app there instead.
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