title
Additional Information

Advanced Installation

🛠 Install or update to the unreleased version

For example, there is a bug and its fix is merged to the repo but a newer version of InstaPy [containing that fix] is not yet released to PyPI to be able to be installed or updated by pip.

Then, you can do this to install the actual state of the repo 😋

pip install -I https://github.com/timgrossmann/InstaPy/zipball/master

Worths to note that, this installation option does not require Git to be installed, too. -I flag in there is used to ignore the installed packages and reinstall them instead.

Learn why -I flag is required 🔎

Since InstaPy's version is not yet being incremented which is the reason you're installing it from a zipball, then if you don't use the -I flag, pip will complain saying,

"Hey, I have already installed the x.y.z version! Skipping installation..."

But obviously, even though the version is the same, zipball has the current state of the repository. That's why you will be able to install the actual state of the repo using the -I flag.

PRO Tip: Read the section - How to avoid python & pip confusion 😄

⚗ Install manually and manage using advanced git commands

For those who want to tweak or enhance InstaPy.

1. Clone InstaPy repository into your computer

git clone https://github.com/timgrossmann/InstaPy.git

2. Navigate to the InstaPy project root directory

cd InstaPy

3. Install the local instapy package

pip install -e .

Learn why -e flag is required 🔎

Since you're gonna install the local version of InstaPy you'll probably change its code per your need which is the reason you do an advanced installation from a Git source, then if you don't use the -e flag, you'll have to install that local package by pip every time after making a change.

But fortunately, -e flag comes to help; -e means editable install, so that after editing files you don't need to re-install the package again since it will always refer to the edited files cos with the editable install, it just links the project's location to pip's install location rather than adding them to pip location separately..

or

python setup.py install

⛑ Install into a Virtual Environment

The best way to install InstaPy is to create a virtual environment and install InstaPy there, then, run it from a separate file.

Guide for Pythons >= 3.6 🔎

Mac/Linux

1. Clone InstaPy repository into your computer

git clone https://github.com/timgrossmann/InstaPy.git

2. Navigate to the InstaPy project root directory

cd InstaPy

3. Make a virtual environment

python3 -m venv venv

4. Activate the virtual environment

source venv/bin/activate

5. Install the local instapy package

pip install -e .

Windows

1. Clone InstaPy repository into your computer

git clone https://github.com/timgrossmann/InstaPy.git

2. Navigate to the InstaPy project root directory

cd InstaPy

3. Make a virtual environment

python3 -m venv venv

4. Activate the virtual environment

venv\Scripts\activate.bat

5. Install the local instapy package

pip install -e .

If you're not familiar with venv, please read about it here and use it to your advantage;

Running source venv/bin/activate will activate the correct python to run InstaPy. To exit an activated venv run deactivate.
Now, copy & paste the quickstart.py python code below and then run your first InstaPy script. Remember to run it with python from the venv.
To make sure which python is used, run which python which will tell you the active version of python.
Whenever you run the script, the virtual environment must be active.

Guide for Pythons greater 3.6 🔎

1. Make a virtual environment

virtualenv venv

2. Activate the virtual environment

source venv/bin/activate

3. Install the instapy package from Git by using pip

pip install git+https://github.com/timgrossmann/InstaPy.git

If you're not familiar with virtualenv, please read about it here and use it to your advantage;

In essence,

This is be the only python library you should install as root (e.g., with sudo).
All other python libraries should be inside a virtualenv.
Running source venv/bin/activate will activate the correct python to run InstaPy. And to exit an activated virtualenv run deactivate.
Now, copy & paste the quickstart.py python code below and run your first InstaPy script. Remember to run it with python from the virtualenv, so from venv/bin/python.
To make sure which python is used, run which python which would tell you the active version of python.

Install a specific version

pip install instapy==0.1.1

Uninstall

pip uninstall instapy

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Workspace folders

Migrating your data to the workspace folder

After installing InstaPy with pip, you have to run it once by calling python quickstart.py. Once the web browser opens, you can abort the session by closing the browser or your terminal.

You will now find an InstaPy folder located at the above mentioned home folder. Simply copy and paste the content of your logs folder into that workspace folder in order to assure that all your data is migrated.

Please note that you only have to do this once. After that, you can get rid of your old, downloaded version of this repository since the InstaPy folder in your home folder will now be the default location for your data.

InstaPy stores user's data files inside the workspace folder.

By default, it is gonna be the InstaPy folder at your home folder. Such as, if your username is Cherry, let's show where your InstaPy folder would be,

OS	home folder	InstaPy workspace folder
Windows	`C:\\Users\\Cherry\\`	`C:\\Users\\Cherry\\InstaPy\\`
Mac	`/Users/Cherry/`	`/Users/Cherry/InstaPy/`
Linux	`/home/Cherry/`	`/home/Cherry/InstaPy/`

Note that, at the start of each run, it shows you the workspace folder in use.

What will be stored at the workspace folder? 🔍

Anything that is user's data file will be stored in there. Such as,

logs folder - log and other storage files
assets folder - e.g. user chosen chromedriver executable(s)
db folder - databases
etc.

Set a custom workspace folder

You can use set_workspace() function to set a custom workspace folder,

from instapy import InstaPy
from instapy import set_workspace

set_workspace("C:\\My\\Custom\\Path\\InstaPy\\")

session = InstaPy(...)

Rules 🔎

1-) You have to set your custom workspace folder before instantiates InstaPy. 2-) Your custom workspace folder must have InstaPy (*case sensitive) word in its name.

If your path does not have it, set_workspace("C:\\Other\\Path\\InstaPie\\") then your workspace folder will be named and made as, "C:\\Other\\Path\\InstaPie\\InstaPy\\" 👆🏼 InstaPy directory will be added as a new subdirectory in there, and be your workspace folder.
If your custom workspace folder name has a case-insensitive default name in it- Instapy, instapy, instaPY, etc., set_workspace("C:\\Other\\Path\\instapy2\\") then your workspace folder will be, "C:\\Other\\Path\\InstaPy2\\" as you can see, it normalizes name and sets the workspace folder.

Why naming is so important?

It will help to easily adapt to the flexible InstaPy usage with that default formal name.

Set a custom workspace folder permanently with ease

If you want to set your custom workspace folder permanently and more easily, add a new environmental variable named INSTAPY_WORKSPACE with the value of the path of the desired workspace folder to your operating system. Then that will be the default workspace folder in all sessions [unless you change it using set_workspace() or so].

Get the location of the workspace folder in use

If you ever want to get the location of your workspace folder, you can use the get_workspace() function,

from instapy import InstaPy
from instapy import smart_run
from instapy import set_workspace
from instapy import get_workspace

set_workspace(path="C:\\Custom\\Path\\InstaPy_super\\")

session = InstaPy(username="abc", password="123")

with smart_run(session):
    # lots of code
    workspace_in_use = get_workspace()
    print(workspace_in_use["path"])
    # code code

Note that, get_workspace() is a function used internally and makes a workspace folder [by default at home folder] if not exists. It means, you must use only the set_workspace() feature to set a custom workspace folder and not try to use get_workspace() for that purpose..

Set a custom location

You can set any of the custom locations you like, any time! E.g. setting the location of the database file,

from instapy import InstaPy
from instapy import set_workspace
from instapy import Settings


set_workspace(...)   # if you will set a custom workspace, set it before anything
Settings.db_location = "C:\\New\\Place\\DB\\instapy.db"

session = InstaPy(...)
# code code

Restrictions 🔎

a-) You cannot set a custom workspace folder after InstaPy has been instantiated; E.g. while instantiating InstaPy, you make a logger at that given location and trying to change the log_location really needs to restart the LOGGER adapter and make another logger instance, but it can be achieved in future.

b-) If you set a custom workspace once and then set it again then your data locations will still use the previous locations:

from instapy import InstaPy
from instapy import set_workspace
from instapy import Settings

# first time settings custom workspace folder
set_workspace("C:\\Users\\MMega\\Desktop\\My_InstaPy\\")
# second time settings custom workspace folder
set_workspace("C:\\Users\\MMega\\Documents\\My_InstaPy\\")

# locations of data files, e.g. chromedriver executable, logfolder, db will use first custom workspace locations.
# if you still want to change their location to second one, then do this one by one:
Settings.log_location = "C:\\Users\\MMega\\Documents\\My_InstaPy\\logs\\"
Settings.database_location = "C:\\Users\\MMega\\Documents\\My_InstaPy\\db\\instapy.db"
Settings.chromedriver_location = "C:\\Users\\MMega\\Documents\\My_InstaPy\\logs\\chromedriver.exe"

As you can see, you have to use set_workspace() only once. Why it is so difficult in those 👆🏼 regards?

It's to preserve custom location assignments alive (Settings.*) cos otherwise setting another workspace would override any previously manually assigned location(s).

Pass arguments by CLI

It is recommended to pass your credentials from command line interface rather than storing them inside quickstart scripts.

Note that, arguments passed from the CLI has higher priorities than the arguments inside a quickstart script. E.g., let's assume you have,

# inside quickstart script

session = InstaPy(username="abc")

and you start that quickstart script as,

python quickstart.py -u abcdef -p 12345678

Then, your username will be set as abcdef rather than abc. And obviously, if you don't pass the flag, it'll try to get that argument from the quickstart script [if any].

Currently these flags are supported:

🚩 -u abc, --username abc

Sets your username.

🚩 -p 123, --password 123

Sets your password.

🚩 -pd 25, --page-delay 25

Sets the implicit wait.

🚩 -pa 192.168.1.1, --proxy-address 192.168.1.1

Sets the proxy address.

🚩 -pp 8080, --proxy-port 8080

Sets the proxy port.

🚩 -hb, --headless-browser

Enables headless mode.

🚩 -dil, --disable-image-load

Disables image load.

🚩 -bsa, --bypass-suspicious-attempt

Bypasses suspicious attempt.

🚩 -bwm, --bypass-with-mobile

Bypasses with mobile phone.

To get the list of available commands, you can type,

python quickstart.py -h
# or
python quickstart.py --help

Examples

⚽ Let's quickly set your username and password right by CLI,

python quickstart.py -u Toto.Lin8  -p 4X27_Tibor
# or
python quickstart.py --username Toto.Lin8  --password 4X27_Tibor
# or
python quickstart.py -u "Toto.Lin8"  -p "4X27_Tibor"

Advanced 🔎

You can pass and then parse the custom CLI arguments you like right inside the quickstart script. To do it, open up your quickstart script and add these lines,

# inside quickstart script

import argparse

my_parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
# add the arguments as you like WHICH you will pass
# e.g., here is the simplest example you can see,
my_parser.add_argument("--my-data-files-name")
args, args_unknown = my_parser.parse_known_args()

filename = args.my_data_files_name

# now you can print it
print(filename)

# or open that file
with open(filename, 'r') as f:
    my_data = f.read()

After adding your custom arguments to the quickstart script, you can now pass them by CLI, comfortably,

python quickstart.py --my-data-files-name "C:\\Users\\Anita\\Desktop\\data_file.txt"

NOTE: Use dash in flag and parse them with underscores; E.g., we have used the flag as --my-data-files-name and parsed it as args.my_data_files_name ...

PRO: See parse_cli_args() function [used internally] inside the util.py file to write & parse more advanced flags. You can also import that function into your quickstart script and parse the formal flags into there to be used, as well.

# inside quickstart script

from instapy.util import parse_cli_args


cli_args = parse_cli_args()
username = cli_args.username

print(username)

👆🏼👉🏼 as you will pass the username like,

python quickstart.py -u abc

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Extensions

1. Session scheduling with Telegram

Custom geckodriver

By default, InstaPy downloads the latest version of the geckodriver. Unless you need a specific version of the geckodriver, you're ready to go.

You can manually download the geckodriver binary and put the path as an argument to the InstaPy constructor:

session = InstaPy(..., geckodriver_path = '/path/to/binary', ...)

Using one of the templates

If you're interested in what other users setup looks like, feel free to check out the quickstart_templates folder which includes several working setups with different features.

In order to use them, just copy the desired file and put it next to the quickstart.py file in the, what is called root, directory.

Finally simply adjust the username and any tags or firend lists before executing it. That's it.

How not to be banned

Built-in delays prevent your account from getting banned. However, excessive use of this tool may result in action blocks or permanent bans. Use the Quota Supervisor feature to set some fixed limits for the bot for maximum safety.

Disable Image Loading

If you want to save some bandwidth, you can simply disable the image/video loading. This will lead to, if you watch InstaPy running, not downloading and displaying any more images and videos.

Note: This can save a tremendous amount of data. This is turned off by default (False).

To do this simply pass the disable_image_load=True parameter in the InstaPy constructor like so:

session = InstaPy(username=insta_username,
                  password=insta_password,
                  headless_browser=False,
                  disable_image_load=True,
                  multi_logs=True)

Changing DB or location

If you want to change the location/path of the DB, simply head into the instapy/settings.py file and change the following lines. Set these in instapy/settings.py if you're locating the library in the /usr/lib/pythonX.X/ directory.

Settings.database_location = '/path/to/instapy.db'

Split SQLite by Username

If you experience issue with multiple accounts Instapy.db lockup. You can add the following flag

-sdb when running in Command line

or

To do this simply pass the split_db=True parameter in the InstaPy constructor like so:

session = InstaPy(username=insta_username,
                  password=insta_password,
                  headless_browser=False,
                  split_db=True,
                  multi_logs=True)

How to avoid python & pip confusion

Sometimes you have multiple python installations in your system. Then you'll obviously have crazy aliases linked to python and pip commands.

For example, let's assume you have python 2.7 & python 3.7 installed in your system,

python version	python alias	pip alias
2.7	`py2`	`pip`
3.7	`python`	`pip3`

And once you install a package by the pip command and try to run it with python command, it will confuse you.

Why? - cos,

pip command is for python 2.7
python command is for python 3.7

To solve that confusion, use this style to install packages by pip,

# install "instapy" package into python 3.7
python -m pip install instapy

# install "instapy" package into python 2.7
py2 -m pip install instapy

As you can see, it is, python -m pip ... rather than, pip ...

Other pip commands can be accomplished the same way, too. Such as,

# update "instapy" package
python -m pip install instapy -U

# uninstall "instapy" package
python -m pip uninstall instapy

# show details of the "instapy" package installed by pip
python -m pip show instapy

Using this style, you will never have to worry about what is the correct alias of the pip for you specific python installation and all you have to know is just the python's alias you use.

Dealing with Selenium Common Exception Issues

selenium.common.exceptions.WebDriverException: Message: unknown error: Cannot read property 'entry_data' of undefined

This error could also caused by unstable Internet connection or Instagram's web changed their data-structure.

TL;DR - Make sure your chromedriver version is compatible with your Google Chrome version.

Occasionally Instapy will stop working because one of the issues below has been thrown.

_Traceback (most recent call last): ....// File list with the exception trace selenium.common.exceptions.WebDriverException: Message: unknown error: Cannot read property 'entry_data' of undefined (Session info: headless chrome=75.0.3770.80) (Driver info: chromedriver=2.36.540469 (1881fd7f8641508feb5166b7cae561d87723cfa8),platform=Mac OS X 10.14.5 x86_64)

_Traceback (most recent call last): ....// File list with the exception traceselenium.common.exceptions.WebDriverException: Message: unknown error: unknown sessionId (Session info: headless chrome=75.0.3770.80) (Driver info: chromedriver=2.36.540469 (1881fd7f8641508feb5166b7cae561d87723cfa8),platform=Mac OS X 10.14.5 x86_64)

Notice that chrome version is 75 and the chromedriver version is 2.36.

According to the release notes for chromedriver, version 2.36 only supports Chrome versions 63-65.

Which means, there is a mismatch in chromedriver and Chrome that installed on my machine.

There several steps to this fix.

Completely uninstall Google Chrome.
Download an older version.
Prevent Google Chrome from auto-updating.

MAC FIX

Since Instapy seems to work well, in my experience on my Mac, with chromedriver version 2.36, I will downgrade my Google Chrome. I do not use Google Chrome, so this isn't an issue.

Uninstall Google Chrome I used an app called App Cleaner to remove Chrome. After you install App Cleaner, simply drag Google Chrome, from the Applications folder to App Cleaner and Remove All
Download Chrome 65 (Read this step completely before proceeding)
- Find and install Chrome 65 from sllimjet.com
- After you have installed Chrome 65, open and click the Apple Security Ok button that alerts you to the fact this was downloaded from the internet.
- THEN, immediately close Google Chrome completely by holding CMD+Q. This is extremely important! Google Chrome will being its auto-update function. So it must be completely closed, not just the window. We need Chrome to run first and put all its files where it needs them.
Prevent Google Chrome from updating
- Open Terminal and type sudo chmod -R 000 ~/Library/Google
- You will be asked for your computer password, enter it.
- Next run the command sudo rm -rf /Library/Google/
Google Chrome should not be able to auto-update now.

If for some reason Chrome is still updating, or you're unable to run the command in step 3, you can edit your /etc/hosts file to include the following line: 0.0.0.0 tools.google.com

Windows Fix

Coming soon

Raspberry Pi Fix

Coming Soon

Have Fun & Feel Free to report any issues

Windows Task Scheduler

You can use Window's built in Task Scheduler to automate InstaPy, using a variety of trigger types: time, login, computer idles, etc. To schedule a simple daily run of an Instapy script follow the below directions

Open Windows Task Scheduler
Select "Create Basic Task"
Fill out "Name" and "Description" as desired, click "Next"
On "Trigger" screen select how frequently to run, click "Next" (Frequency can be modified later)
On "Daily" screen, hit "Next"
"Action Screen" select "Start a program" and then click "Next"
"Program/script" enter the path, or browse to select the path to python. (How to find python path on Windows)
"Add arguments" input the InstaPy script path you wish to run. (Example: C:\Users\USER_NAME\Documents\GitHub\InstaPy\craigquick.py)
"Start in" input Instapy install location (Example: C:\Users\USER_NAME\Documents\GitHub\InstaPy). Click "Next"
To finish the process, hit "Finish"

`cron`

You can add InstaPy to your crontab, so that the script will be executed regularly. This is especially useful for servers, but be sure not to break Instagrams follow and like limits.

# Edit or create a crontab
crontab -e
# Add information to execute your InstaPy regularly.
# With cd you navigate to your InstaPy folder, with the part after &&
# you execute your quickstart.py with python. Make sure that those paths match
# your environment.
45 */4 * * * cd /home/user/InstaPy && /usr/bin/python ./quickstart.py

Schedule

Schedule is an in-process scheduler for periodic jobs that uses the builder pattern for configuration. Schedule lets you run Python functions periodically at pre-determined intervals using a simple, human-friendly syntax.

pip install schedule

from instapy import InstaPy
from instapy import smart_run
from instapy import set_workspace
import schedule
import time

#your login credentials
insta_username=''
insta_password=''

#path to your workspace
set_workspace(path=None)

def job():
  session = InstaPy(username=insta_username, password=insta_password)
  with smart_run(session):
    session.set_do_comment(enabled=True, percentage=20)
    session.set_comments(['Well done!'])
    session.set_do_follow(enabled=True, percentage=5, times=2)
    session.like_by_tags(['love'], amount=100, media='Photo')


schedule.every().day.at("6:35").do(job)
schedule.every().day.at("16:22").do(job)

while True:
  schedule.run_pending()
  time.sleep(10)

You can use Window's built in Task Scheduler to automate InstaPy, using a variety of trigger types: time, login, computer idles, etc. To schedule a simple daily run of an Instapy script follow the below directions

Open Windows Task Scheduler
Select "Create Basic Task"
Fill out "Name" and "Description" as desired, click "Next"
On "Trigger" screen select how frequently to run, click "Next" (Frequency can be modified later)
On "Daily" screen, hit "Next"
"Action Screen" select "Start a program" and then click "Next"
"Program/script" enter the path, or browse to select the path to python. (How to find python path on Windows)
"Add arguments" input the InstaPy script path you wish to run. (Example: C:\Users\USER_NAME\Documents\GitHub\InstaPy\craigquick.py)
"Start in" input Instapy install location (Example: C:\Users\USER_NAME\Documents\GitHub\InstaPy). Click "Next"
To finish the process, hit "Finish"

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Files

additional-information.md

Latest commit

History

additional-information.md

File metadata and controls

Advanced Installation

🛠 Install or update to the unreleased version

⚗ Install manually and manage using advanced git commands

For those who want to tweak or enhance InstaPy.

⛑ Install into a Virtual Environment

The best way to install InstaPy is to create a virtual environment and install InstaPy there, then, run it from a separate file.

Mac/Linux

Windows

Install a specific version

Uninstall

Workspace folders

Migrating your data to the workspace folder

InstaPy stores user's data files inside the workspace folder.

Set a custom workspace folder

Why naming is so important?

Set a custom workspace folder permanently with ease

Get the location of the workspace folder in use

Set a custom location

Pass arguments by CLI

It is recommended to pass your credentials from command line interface rather than storing them inside quickstart scripts.

Currently these flags are supported:

Examples

Extensions

Custom geckodriver

Using one of the templates

How not to be banned

Disable Image Loading

Changing DB or location

Split SQLite by Username

How to avoid python & pip confusion

Dealing with Selenium Common Exception Issues

selenium.common.exceptions.WebDriverException: Message: unknown error: Cannot read property 'entry_data' of undefined

TL;DR - Make sure your chromedriver version is compatible with your Google Chrome version.

MAC FIX

Windows Fix

Raspberry Pi Fix

Have Fun & Feel Free to report any issues

Windows Task Scheduler

Windows Task Scheduler

Windows Task Scheduler

cron

Schedule

`cron`