How to Change Your Instagram Reels Cover (2026)
Updated: October 13, 2026 · 2 min read
You posted a Reel and your profile now shows a blank, white or half-finished frame. If you don't pick a cover, Instagram uses the first frame of the video, and most first frames make poor covers. You can change the cover before you post and also after the Reel is live. This guide covers both.
Pick a cover before you post
- 1Prepare your Reel and tap Next.
- 2On the share screen, tap Edit cover under the video preview.
- 3Scroll the strip at the bottom to choose a frame, or tap Add from camera roll to upload a separate image.
- 4Check how it looks in the profile grid, then tap Done and share.
If you design a separate cover image, make it 1080×1920 and keep the title close to the middle. The profile grid crops the top and bottom.
Change the cover after posting
You can also change the cover of a Reel that is already live. Likes, comments and views stay as they are.
- 1Open the Reel and tap the ⋯ menu.
- 2Choose Edit.
- 3Tap Edit cover.
- 4Pick a new frame from the video or tap Add from camera roll.
- 5Tap Done, then Save.
This option is in the mobile app. Instagram on the web and Meta Business Suite can't change the cover of a published Reel, so do it from your phone.
Adjust the crop for the profile grid
The Instagram profile grid now uses a 3:4 ratio, so a 9:16 Reels cover is cropped at the top and bottom. While choosing the cover, switch to the Profile grid tab and drag the image to set which part shows.
Keep any text in the vertical middle of the cover. The very top and bottom are cut off in the grid.
What makes a good Reels cover
- It tells the topic at a glance, with a short title or the most meaningful frame of the video.
- It isn't an empty or transition frame. First frames are often white, black or mid-animation.
- It is readable on a small phone screen, with large, bold text.
- It matches your profile. Using the same colors and font keeps the grid tidy.
Setting the cover when you schedule with IZY Social
When you schedule a Reel in IZY Social you can upload the cover image along with it. At posting time the Reel goes to Instagram with that cover, so no blank frame shows up on your profile.
Frequently asked questions
Does changing the Reels cover reset views?
No. Changing the cover doesn't repost the Reel; likes, comments and views stay the same.
Can I change the cover from a computer?
For a published Reel, the mobile app is currently the way to do it. Picking a cover before posting also works in scheduling tools.
What size should the cover image be?
1080×1920 pixels (9:16). Keep the important part in the middle, because the profile grid crops to 3:4.