How to Change the Cover of a Reel After It Has Been Published

After sharing a Reel on Instagram, you may realize that the cover you’ve chosen doesn’t reflect the best of your content. The cover acts as a visual preview that can attract or alienate views. Fortunately, Instagram allows you to change this image without having to delete the original video. In this article, we’ll explore in detail each step to edit the cover of an already published Reel, ensuring a professional result in line with the identity of your profile.
Why change the cover of a Reel
The cover of a Reel is the first contact the audience has with your video. A well-chosen thumbnail immediately communicates the theme, generates curiosity and reinforces your personal or commercial brand. When the original cover isn’t appealing enough, you risk losing views to other content. Updating this image after publication allows you to correct initial flaws, test different visual approaches and optimize engagement without losing comments, saves or shares already obtained.
Changing the cover can also create aesthetic cohesion in the feed. Maintaining a pattern of colors, styles or fonts helps to consolidate your digital presence, making your profile visually harmonious. It’s an especially useful feature for those who publish Reels on a regular basis, as it ensures that each piece of content blends seamlessly into the set of publications.
Check requirements and limitations before you start
Before you go any further, make sure that Instagram on your device is up to date. Outdated versions of the app may not offer cover editing functionality on Reels that have already been published. If you use an Android device, go to the Play Store to install the latest version. If you use iOS, visit the App Store and update Instagram. Also check that your profile isn’t in a limited test version, as some accounts in beta testing programs may have different features.
It’s important to know that you can only choose frames from the video itself or images that you have saved on your device as the cover. If you want to extract high-quality frames or alternative styles, you can use external download tools, such as sssinstagram, to capture the best moment and then save it in the gallery. This method ensures that you always have the perfect image to represent your Reel at hand before you start editing.
Step by step to edit the cover on Instagram
Start by opening Instagram and going to your profile. Scroll through the grid until you find the Reel whose cover you want to update. Tap on the video to open the preview page. In the top right-hand corner, tap on the three dots that open additional options. Choose “Edit” to access the Reel’s settings. Just below the text box and labels, you’ll see the current cover highlighted.
Tap on this thumbnail to open the cover selector. Instagram displays a sequence of frames taken from your video, accompanied by a sliding bar. Drag this bar to the exact moment you want to highlight. When you find the perfect frame, release your finger to fix the selection. If you prefer to use a photo of your own, choose the “Add from gallery” option and select the previously saved image. Once the new cover is set, complete the process by tapping “Done” and then “Save”. The change will be immediately reflected in your feed and profile grid.
Design tips for choosing a striking cover
When selecting the ideal frame, look for clean moments, with no distracting elements. An image with a simple background and good lighting stands out better in light or dark mode. If you choose an external photo, make sure it has sufficient resolution so that it doesn’t become pixelated after Instagram’s automatic cropping. Always frame the main subject – face, product or action – in the center, considering that the platform adjusts the ratio to a 1:1 grid.
Adding text over the image, with clear typography and high contrast, helps to communicate the theme of the Reel to those browsing without sound. Avoid long texts: short phrases or keywords are more effective. Use adequate margins so that the text doesn’t get cut off. If you create covers externally, editing tools such as Canva or Photoshop allow you to insert layers of text and visual effects that reinforce your branding.
How to optimize reach with well-crafted covers
A well-designed cover not only attracts more clicks, but also influences audience engagement. Frames that capture facial expressions, dynamic gestures or vibrant colors are more likely to generate curiosity and retention. Maintain a visual standard across your profile covers to create a recognizable identity. When your audience identifies your style as they scroll through their feed, they tend to interact more and recognize your content immediately.
You can also test A/B caps: change the cover of a Reel for different frames at different times and compare viewing and interaction metrics. This practice helps you understand which type of image works best with your audience. Use Instagram’s statistics feature to analyze results and adjust your cover strategy in the long term.
Changing the cover of a published Reel is an efficient way to optimize the presentation of your videos without compromising the engagement you’ve already achieved. Take a moment in your content management routine to review and update old covers, ensuring a feed that is always in line with your visual objectives. By exploring alternative frames and testing different approaches, you’ll be able to keep your profile attractive and coherent.
Remember that every little adjustment can have a significant impact on the performance of your publications. With attention to detail and a careful selection of images, you can turn simple Reels into professional and appealing pieces of content. Start editing your covers today and make the most of Instagram’s visual potential.