How to Zoom in on Instagram

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Get a closer look at photos and videos using simple two-finger gestures

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Tested

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• Zooming in on a Detail
|
• Enlarging a Thumbnail
|
• Video

|Show more |Show less

This wikiHow teaches you how to zoom in on a thumbnail or a detail in any image or video on Instagram's mobile app. While it is possible to view Instagram on a desktop browser, the ability to zoom is only available on the mobile app.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Zooming in on a Detail

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1. 
   1
   Open the Instagram app on your mobile device. The Instagram logo looks like a square camera icon.

   • If you're not automatically logged into Instagram on your device, sign in with your phone number, username or email and your password.
2. 
   2
   Tap the Instagram Home button. This button looks like a tiny house icon in the lower-left corner of your screen.

   • Alternatively, you can tap on a post from your Explore page, your own profile, or another user's Profile grid. You can zoom in on any image or video opened in full size, as well as all post on a user's Profile list.
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3. 
   3
   Pinch out on the post with two fingers. Tap on an image or video with two fingers and spread your fingers apart to zoom in on a detail. You can use any two fingers.
4. 
   4
   Remove your fingers from your screen. This will zoom back out on the post. You will see the entire image or video in full size again.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Enlarging a Thumbnail

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1. 
   1
   Open the Instagram app on your mobile device. The Instagram logo looks like a square camera icon.

   • If you're not automatically logged into Instagram on your device, sign in with your phone number, username or email and your password.
2. 
   2
   Tap the magnifying glass icon. This button will be next to the tiny house icon in the lower-left corner of your screen. It will open your Explore page.

   • Alternatively, you can tap the heart icon on the bottom toolbar to open your Notifications, or open your or another user's Profile grid. This method works on all thumbnails including profile grids, saved lists, your Photos of You page, and notifications.
3. 
   3
   Tap and hold on an image or video thumbnail. The post will pop up in full size in the center of your screen. When you remove your fingers, the full image will minimize back to the thumbnail.

   • If you're using an iPhone 6s or later with 3D Touch feature enabled, tap on an image first, and then press firmly while holding.
4. 
   4
   Swipe up while holding. This will bring up a menu of options to Like this post, View profile and Send as Message.

   • Depending on your device and current software, you might see a toolbar at the bottom of the image with different icons for these options without having to swipe up on your screen.
5. 
   5
   Swipe down on the post. This will quit the preview pop-up. The image or video will minimize back to the thumbnail.
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