Instagram has many story filters that you can use.
When you’re taking a photo using the camera on Instagram, you can use a filter by scrolling through the filter carousel.
You can also search for filters by scrolling to the extreme right of the carousel and tapping on the “Browse effects” icon.
However, if you have an existing photo in your camera roll, you might be wondering whether you can apply an Instagram filter to it.
In this guide, you’ll learn whether you can apply Instagram filters to existing photos, how to add Instagram filters to existing photos, and more.
- How to add Instagram filters to existing photos
- Can you apply Instagram filters to existing photos?
- How do you add effects to Instagram photos?
How to add Instagram filters to existing photos
To add Instagram filters to existing photos, you need to open the camera on Instagram.
Then, swipe up, select an existing photo in your camera roll, tap on the smiley face icon, and select a filter.
Once you’ve selected a filter, it’ll be applied to your photo.
You can also use filters that you’ve saved in the effect gallery.
Do to so, open the Instagram camera, scroll to the extreme right of the filter carousel, and tap on the “Browse effects” icon.
After you’ve tapped on the “Browse effects” icon, search for the filter that you want to use.
Then, tap on it, and tap on the bookmark icon to save it.
Once you’ve saved the filter, you can apply it to an existing photo in your camera roll.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how you can do this.
1. Tap on your profile picture
The first step is to open the camera on Instagram.
To begin with, open Instagram and tap on your profile picture on the bottom navigation bar.
After you’ve tapped on your profile picture, you’ll land on your Instagram profile.
On your Instagram profile, tap on your profile picture.
Tapping on your profile picture will open the camera on Instagram.
2. Select an existing photo from your camera roll
Once you’ve opened the camera on Instagram, you need to open your camera roll/photo gallery.
There are two ways that you can do this.
The first way is to tap on the icon at the bottom left of the camera.
The icon at the bottom left of the camera is your photo gallery.
The second way is to swipe up from the bottom of your screen.
Swiping up from the bottom of your screen will open your photo gallery as well.
3. Tap on the smiley face icon
After you’ve opened your camera roll, you need to select the photo that you want to add a filter to.
Navigate to the photo that you want to add a filter to and tap on it to select it.
Once you’ve selected an existing photo from your camera roll, you’ll land on the editing screen.
On the editing screen, you’ll see multiple icons at the top of it.
To add a filter to the photo, tap on the smiley face icon.
4. Select a filter & tap on “Done”
After you’ve tapped on the filter icon, a carousel will open.
The carousel contains filters that you can add to your photo.
It also contains filters that you’ve saved in the effect gallery.
Scroll through the carousel until you find the filter that you want to use.
Then, tap on the filter to select it.
Once you’ve selected the filter, it’ll be applied to your photo.
Lastly, tap on “Done” to exit the filter carousel.
5. Save the photo
Once you’re done adding the filter to your photo, you’ll land on the sending screen.
On the sending screen, you can either add the photo to your story, close friends or send it to selected people.
You can also save the photo in your camera roll.
To save the photo to your camera roll, tap on the save icon at the top of the screen.
Once you’ve tapped on the save icon, the photo will be saved in your camera roll.
Congrats, you’ve successfully learned how to add an Instagram filter to an existing photo!
Can you apply Instagram filters to existing photos?
Yes, you can apply Instagram filters to existing photos.
In January 2019, Instagram introduced an option to add filters to your existing photos and videos in your camera roll.
If you’ve taken a good photo in the past, you can add filters to it without retaking the photo or video.
Even if you’ve posted the photo or video, you still can add a filter to it via the smiley face icon.
The only setback is that you can’t search for filters while you’re adding one to an existing photo.
However, you can add filters that you’ve saved in the past.
Hence, if you want to use a filter that is not shown, open the camera on Instagram, swipe to the extreme right of the filter carousel, and tap on “Browse effects”.
Then, search for the filter that you want to use and save it by tapping on the bookmark icon first.
How do you add effects to Instagram photos?
To add effects to Instagram photos, open the camera on Instagram.
At the bottom of the camera, scroll through the filter carousel and select a filter that you want to use to add it as an effect.
If you want to use other filters, scroll to the extreme right of the filter carousel and tap on “Browse effects”.
Then search for the filter that you want to use, tap on it, then tap on “Try it” to use it.
Conclusion
Instagram story filters are a great way to beautify your photos and videos.
You can use them while you’re taking a photo or a video using the camera on Instagram.
You can also add story filters to your existing photos and videos in your camera roll.
With the addition of user-created filters, you can choose from hundreds of filters in the effect gallery on Instagram.
Further Reading
How to See a Private Instagram Account (3 Easy Ways)
