How to Download, Install, and Set Up Instagram Edits Desktop App

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Instagram’s Edits app just made its long-awaited desktop debut, and creators on Mac can now download it for free.

Instagram launched Edits for macOS on November 5, 2026, bringing a free desktop video editor with a multi-track timeline, color wheels, licensed audio, watermark-free 4K export, and MCP AI agent support to Mac for the first time.

The app was already available on iOS and Android for more than a year. Brett Westervelt, who leads the Edits app at Instagram, said the desktop editor is designed for projects “Where a larger screen and the precision of a mouse and keyboard really matter.”

The app is completely free. There is no paid tier, no subscription, and no watermark on your exports.

System Requirements

The Edits desktop app is available for Mac with Apple Silicon chipsets, specifically M1 or later. Intel Macs are not supported, and there is no Windows version at this time.

You also need an active Instagram account to sign in. There is no way to use the app otherwise.

In short, here is what you need:

• A Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 chip or later)
• An Instagram account

How to Download, Install, and Set Up the Instagram Edits Desktop App

Step 1: Download the App

Getting the app onto your Mac is easy. You can download the Edits desktop app from edits.instagram.com/desktop. That is the only official source, and it is always best to download directly from there rather than from any third-party site.

Here is what to do:

1. Open your browser on your Mac.
2. Go to edits.instagram.com/desktop.
3. Click the button that says “Get Edits for Mac”.
4. The installer file will download to your Downloads folder.

The initial setup file is 171 MB, so the download should be quick on a strong internet connection.

Step 2: Install the App

Once the file is in your Downloads folder, the installation process is straightforward.

1. Open your Downloads folder and locate the Edits installer.
2. Double-click the installer to open it.
3. Drag the Edits icon into your Applications folder.
4. Wait a moment for the file to copy over.
5. Open your Applications folder and launch Edits.

The first time you open the app, your Mac may prompt you to confirm that you want to open a file downloaded from the internet. Click Open to continue. This is a standard macOS security step and nothing to worry about.

Step 3: Sign In to Your Account

When Edits launches, you will land on a login screen. The app links directly to your Instagram account, so there is no separate registration process. You have two ways to sign in.

Option A: Username and Password

1. Click the sign-in option on the welcome screen.
2. Enter your Instagram username and password.
3. If you have two-factor authentication turned on, complete that step as prompted.

Option B: Scan QR Code with Your Phone

1. On the Edits desktop login screen, look for the QR code option.
2. Open the camera app on your phone, where your Instagram account is already logged in.
3. Scan the QR code shown on the desktop.
4. A verification code will still be required to complete the login, so enter it when prompted.

Once you are signed in through either method, the app will automatically sync your saved audio styles and text styles from the mobile version. Any custom text looks or saved sounds you built on your phone will be waiting for you on your Mac right away.

If you manage multiple Instagram accounts, you can switch between them inside the app.

Getting Started in Summary

The setup process for the Edits desktop app comes down to four things. Check that your Mac runs on Apple Silicon, download the app from edits.instagram.com/desktop, install it like any standard Mac app, and sign in with your Instagram account. Everything syncs and loads from there. For creators who want more precision, a bigger canvas, and tools that go beyond what a phone screen allows, the Edits desktop app is a meaningful step forward.