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Instagram has become one of the most popular social media platforms, with millions of users sharing their daily moments through photos and videos. One of the creative features of Instagram is the Story function, which allows users to share images and videos that disappear after 24 hours. While Instagram provides a wide range of filters and editing tools to enhance your stories, many users are looking for more ways to personalize their content. One popular request is the ability to add a background image to an Instagram story on Android. In this blog post, we will explore different methods to achieve this and provide you with step-by-step instructions.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Adding a Background Image to an Instagram Story
Instagram’s Story feature is designed to be simple and intuitive, and it does not offer a built-in option to add a background image. This can be frustrating for users who want to add more creativity and personalization to their stories. However, with some workarounds and third-party apps, it is possible to achieve this desired effect.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we jump into the methods, there are a few things you should prepare in order to successfully add a background image to your Instagram story on Android:
1. Android device: Make sure you have a compatible Android device with the latest version of Instagram installed.
2. Background image: Prepare a high-quality image that you want to use as the background for your Instagram story. You can either choose an image from your device’s gallery or download one from the internet.
3. Third-party apps: Depending on the method you choose, you may need to download and install a third-party app from the Google Play Store. We will discuss these apps in detail in the following sections.
Now that you are ready, let’s dive into the methods to add a background image to your Instagram story on Android.
Method 1: Using StoryLab
StoryLab is a popular app that provides a wide range of creative features for Instagram stories, including the ability to add custom backgrounds. Here’s how you can use StoryLab to add a background image to your Instagram story:
1. Download and install the StoryLab app from the Google Play Store.
2. Open StoryLab and select the "Create New Story" option.
3. Tap on the "Background" tab at the bottom of the screen.
4. Choose the "Photo" option to add a custom background image.
5. Select the background image from your gallery or browse for a new image.
6. Adjust the size and position of the background image as desired.
7. Tap on the checkmark icon to save the background.
8. Now, you can add text, stickers, and other elements to your Instagram story using the StoryLab app.
9. When you’re ready to post, tap on the "Save" or "Share" button to export the story to your Instagram account.
Pros:
1. User-friendly interface with a wide range of customization options.
2. Ability to add multiple backgrounds and elements to enhance your story.
3. Provides additional features like filters, effects, and stickers.
Cons:
1. Some advanced features may require a subscription or in-app purchases.
2. The app may contain ads that can be distracting.
| Pros | 1. User-friendly interface with a wide range of customization options. |
|---|---|
| Cons | 1. Some advanced features may require a subscription or in-app purchases. |
| Pros | 2. Ability to add multiple backgrounds and elements to enhance your story. |
| Cons | 2. The app may contain ads that can be distracting. |
| Pros | 3. Provides additional features like filters, effects, and stickers. |
Method 2: Via Canva
Canva is a popular graphic design platform that offers a wide range of templates and customization options. It can be used to create stunning visuals for social media, including Instagram stories with background images. Here’s how you can use Canva to add a background image to your Instagram story:
1. Download and install the Canva app from the Google Play Store.
2. Open Canva and sign in or create a new account.
3. Tap on the "+" button to create a new design.
4. Choose the "Custom dimensions" option and set the dimensions to match Instagram story specifications (1080 pixels by 1920 pixels).
5. Select the "Background" tab.
6. Choose the "Image" option to add a custom background image.
7. Upload the desired background image from your device’s gallery or Canva’s image library.
8. Adjust the size and position of the background image as desired.
9. Add text, stickers, and other elements to your Instagram story using Canva’s design tools.
10. When you’re done, tap on the "Export" button to save the design to your device.
11. Open Instagram and start creating a new story.
12. Swipe up to access your device’s gallery and select the exported design from Canva.
13. Resize or reposition the design if necessary, and add any additional elements.
14. Tap on the "Send to" button to share the story with your followers.
Pros:
1. Wide range of customization options and design templates.
2. Ability to create professional-looking visuals.
3. Canva offers a user-friendly interface and intuitive design tools.
Cons:
1. Some advanced features and templates may require a paid subscription.
2. Exported designs may contain a Canva watermark in the free version.
| Pros | 1. Wide range of customization options and design templates. |
|---|---|
| Cons | 1. Some advanced features and templates may require a paid subscription. |
| Pros | 2. Ability to create professional-looking visuals. |
| Cons | 2. Exported designs may contain a Canva watermark in the free version. |
| Pros | 3. Canva offers a user-friendly interface and intuitive design tools. |
Method 3: Using PhotoLayers
PhotoLayers is another app that allows you to add custom backgrounds to your Instagram stories. It offers a variety of features to edit and enhance your images. Here’s how you can use PhotoLayers to add a background image to your Instagram story:
1. Download and install the PhotoLayers app from the Google Play Store.
2. Open PhotoLayers and grant the necessary permissions.
3. Tap on the "Select Photo" button to choose the background image from your device’s gallery.
4. Use the "Background Eraser" tool to remove the unwanted parts of the image or isolate the foreground subject.
5. Once you have removed the background, tap on the checkmark button to apply the changes.
6. Now, tap on the "Add Photo" button to choose the foreground image or elements you want to add to your Instagram story.
7. Adjust the size and position of the foreground image or elements as desired.
8. Tap on the "Apply" button to add the foreground image or elements to the background image.
9. You can further edit the image by using the various tools and filters available in PhotoLayers.
10. When you’re satisfied with the result, tap on the "Save" button to save the edited image to your device’s gallery.
11. Open Instagram and create a new story.
12. Access your device’s gallery and select the edited image from PhotoLayers.
13. Resize or reposition the image if necessary, and add any additional elements to your story.
14. Tap on the "Send to" button to share the story with your followers.
Pros:
1. Powerful background removal tools for precise editing.
2. Ability to add multiple foreground images or elements.
3. Offers various editing tools and filters to enhance the image.
Cons:
1. The free version may contain ads and watermark.
2. Some advanced features may require a premium upgrade.
| Pros | 1. Powerful background removal tools for precise editing. |
|---|---|
| Cons | 1. The free version may contain ads and watermark. |
| Pros | 2. Ability to add multiple foreground images or elements. |
| Cons | 2. Some advanced features may require a premium upgrade. |
| Pros | 3. Offers various editing tools and filters to enhance the image. |
Method 4: Via StoryArt
StoryArt is a feature-rich app that allows you to create stunning Instagram stories with customizable backgrounds. It offers a wide range of templates, filters, and effects to enhance your story content. Here’s how you can use StoryArt to add a background image to your Instagram story:
1. Download and install the StoryArt app from the Google Play Store.
2. Open StoryArt and sign in or create a new account.
3. Tap on the "+" button to create a new story.
4. Choose the "Background" option.
5. Select the "Custom" tab to create a custom background.
6. Choose the "Image" option and select the background image from your device’s gallery.
7. Adjust the size and position of the background image as desired.
8. Customize the background further by adding text, stickers, filters, or effects.
9. Tap on the checkmark button to save the customized background.
10. Now, you can add text, stickers, and other elements to your Instagram story using the StoryArt app.
11. When you’re ready to post, tap on the "Share" button to export the story to your Instagram account.
Pros:
1. Extensive library of templates, filters, and effects.
2. User-friendly interface with easy-to-use customization options.
3. Offers additional tools for creating engaging Instagram stories.
Cons:
1. The free version may contain ads and watermarks.
2. Some advanced features may require a premium subscription.
| Pros | 1. Extensive library of templates, filters, and effects. |
|---|---|
| Cons | 1. The free version may contain ads and watermarks. |
| Pros | 2. User-friendly interface with easy-to-use customization options. |
| Cons | 2. Some advanced features may require a premium subscription. |
| Pros | 3. Offers additional tools for creating engaging Instagram stories. |
Why Can’t I Add a Background Image to My Instagram Story?
There could be several reasons why you are unable to add a background image to your Instagram story on Android. Here are some possible reasons and their fixes:
1. Outdated Instagram version: Make sure you have the latest version of Instagram installed on your Android device. Update the app from the Google Play Store if necessary.
2. Incompatible device: Some older Android devices may not support certain features of the Instagram app. Check if your device meets the minimum system requirements for running the latest version of Instagram.
3. App permissions: Instagram requires certain permissions to access your device’s gallery and files. Make sure you have granted the necessary permissions to the Instagram app in your device’s settings.
Additional Tips
1. Use high-quality images for better visual impact.
2. Experiment with different apps and editing tools to find the one that suits your preferences.
3. Be mindful of copyright and intellectual property regulations when using images from the internet.
5 FAQs about Adding Background Images to Instagram Stories
Q1: Can I add a background image to an existing Instagram story?
A: No, you cannot add a background image to an existing Instagram story. You need to create a new story with the desired background image.
Q2: Are these third-party apps safe to use?
A: Most popular third-party apps like StoryLab, Canva, PhotoLayers, and StoryArt are safe to use. However, it is always recommended to download apps from the official Google Play Store and read user reviews before installing.
Q3: Can I remove the watermark from my edited images?
A: Some apps may add watermarks to the edited images in their free version. To remove the watermark, you may need to upgrade to a premium version or look for alternative apps.
Q4: Can I use these methods on iPhone?
A: The methods discussed in this blog post are specific to Android devices. However, similar apps and techniques are available for iPhone users as well.
Q5: Can I add multiple background images to my Instagram story?
A: Yes, some of the mentioned apps like StoryLab and Canva allow you to add multiple backgrounds and elements to your Instagram story. You can get creative and experiment with different combinations.
In Conclusion
While Instagram’s Story feature does not provide a built-in option to add a background image, there are several methods you can use to achieve this desired effect on your Android device. By using third-party apps like StoryLab, Canva, PhotoLayers, and StoryArt, you can add custom backgrounds and enhance the visual impact of your Instagram stories. Remember to prepare a high-quality image as the background, choose the method that best suits your needs, and unleash your creativity to make your Instagram stories stand out.