How to Upload Facebook Reels: Complete Desktop & Mobile Guide

Facebook Reels has rapidly grown to become one of the most engaging content formats on Meta's platforms, with over 200 billion Reels plays per day across Facebook and Instagram combined. Whether you're uploading from your phone or computer, this comprehensive guide will show you how to upload Facebook Reels the right way, optimize for maximum reach, enable monetization, and avoid common upload errors.

What Are Facebook Reels?

Facebook Reels are short-form vertical videos up to 90 seconds long, designed to help creators reach new audiences through Meta's powerful recommendation algorithm. They appear in the dedicated Reels tab, in your News Feed, across Facebook Watch, and can be discovered by millions of users who don't already follow you, making them an incredibly powerful tool for growth and engagement.

Why Upload Facebook Reels?

• Massive Reach: Facebook's algorithm prioritizes Reels, giving them significantly more reach than regular posts
• Discovery Potential: Reels are shown to users beyond your followers, helping you grow your audience organically
• Monetization Opportunities: Eligible creators can earn money through the Reels Play bonus program
• Cross-Platform Synergy: Share the same content to Instagram Reels using Meta Creator Studio

Facebook Reels Upload Requirements

Before uploading, ensure your video meets Facebook's specifications for optimal performance:

• Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (vertical) recommended for full-screen display
• Resolution: 1080x1920 pixels (Full HD vertical) recommended
• Duration: Up to 90 seconds (1 minute 30 seconds) maximum
• Format: MP4 or MOV format recommended
• File Size: Maximum 4GB per video
• Frame Rate: 30fps minimum, 60fps recommended for smooth motion
• Audio: AAC audio codec recommended, 128kbps or higher bitrate

How to Upload Facebook Reels from Mobile

The Facebook mobile app offers the most comprehensive Reels creation and upload experience with access to all editing features:

Step-by-Step Mobile Upload Process

1. Open the Facebook app and tap the 'Reels' icon at the bottom of the screen
2. Tap the 'Create Reel' button (camera icon) in the top right corner
3. Tap the gallery/upload icon in the bottom left to select an existing video
4. Choose your video from your phone's camera roll (ensure it's under 90 seconds and in vertical format)
5. Trim the video if needed using the trim slider at the bottom
6. Add music, text, stickers, filters, or effects using the editing tools
7. Tap 'Next' when finished editing your Reel
8. Tap 'Add cover' to select a frame from your video or upload a custom thumbnail
9. Write an engaging caption (150-200 characters recommended for best engagement)
10. Add 5-10 relevant hashtags (e.g., #FacebookReels #Reels #YourNiche)
11. Select audience settings (Public recommended for maximum reach)
12. Enable monetization if you're eligible for the Reels Play bonus program
13. Tap 'Share to Reels' to publish immediately

How to Upload Facebook Reels from Desktop

Facebook now offers robust desktop upload options via facebook.com and Meta Creator Studio, giving creators more flexibility in their workflow:

Method 1: Upload via Facebook.com

1. Go to facebook.com and sign in to your account
2. Click 'Reels' in the left sidebar menu
3. Click the 'Create Reel' button at the top of the page
4. Click 'Select from computer' and choose your video file
5. Facebook will auto-detect if it's a Reel-format video (vertical, under 90 seconds)
6. Preview and adjust the video if needed
7. Add a compelling caption with relevant hashtags
8. Click 'Select cover' to choose a thumbnail from your video frames
9. Configure audience settings and privacy options
10. Enable monetization if eligible
11. Click 'Share' to publish your Reel to Facebook

Method 2: Upload via Meta Creator Studio

Meta Creator Studio is the most powerful desktop option, offering advanced features like scheduling, analytics, and cross-posting to Instagram:

1. Go to business.facebook.com/creatorstudio and sign in
2. Select your Facebook Page from the left sidebar (Reels require a Facebook Page)
3. Click 'Create' in the top left, then select 'Reel'
4. Upload your video file (9:16 format, under 90 seconds, max 4GB)
5. Add your caption with hashtags and relevant keywords
6. Upload or select a custom cover image (1080x1920 recommended)
7. Optional: Enable cross-posting to Instagram by checking the Instagram option
8. Choose to publish now or schedule for a later time
9. Configure monetization settings if you're in the Reels Play program
10. Click 'Publish' or 'Schedule' to finalize

Facebook Reels Monetization: Reels Play Bonus Program

Facebook offers the Reels Play bonus program where eligible creators can earn money based on the performance of their Reels. Here's everything you need to know about monetizing your Facebook Reels:

Eligibility Requirements

• Account Status: Must have a Facebook Page (not just a personal profile) in good standing
• Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years old
• Geographic Availability: Must be located in a country where the Reels Play bonus program is available
• Content Compliance: Must follow Facebook's Partner Monetization Policies and Community Standards
• Performance Threshold: Meet minimum performance requirements (varies by region and invitation)

How the Reels Play Bonus Program Works

Facebook invites eligible creators to join the Reels Play bonus program. Once enrolled, you earn money based on the performance of your Reels, particularly the number of plays they receive. Earnings are calculated monthly and paid out according to Meta's payment schedule.

• Performance-Based: Earnings are calculated based on Reel plays, engagement, and audience retention
• Monthly Payout: Facebook calculates and pays bonuses monthly to eligible creators
• Goal-Based: Some creators receive personalized monthly goals to reach for bonus earnings
• Track Progress: Monitor your earnings and progress in Meta Creator Studio's Monetization tab

Tips to Maximize Monetization

• Post Consistently: Upload Reels regularly (daily or multiple times per week) to maximize plays
• Focus on Retention: Create engaging content that keeps viewers watching until the end
• Use Trending Audio: Leverage popular sounds and music to increase discoverability
• Original Content: Ensure all content is original and follows copyright guidelines

Facebook Reels Caption and Hashtag Strategy

Writing Effective Captions

Facebook Reels captions can be up to 2,200 characters, but the first 150-200 characters are crucial as they appear before the "See more" button. Start with a compelling hook, question, or value proposition to capture attention immediately.

• Hook First: Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question
• Add Value: Tell viewers what they'll learn or gain from watching
• Call to Action: Encourage likes, comments, shares, or follows
• Accessibility: Use emojis strategically to break up text and add visual interest

Hashtag Best Practices for Facebook Reels

Unlike Instagram, Facebook's algorithm prioritizes content quality over hashtag quantity. Use hashtags strategically:

• Quality Over Quantity: Use 5-10 highly relevant hashtags rather than maxing out
• Mix Popular and Niche: Combine broad hashtags (#Reels #FacebookReels) with specific ones (#YourNiche)
• Research First: Check hashtag popularity and competition before using
• Avoid Banned Tags: Stay away from hashtags that Facebook may suppress or ban

Best Times to Post Facebook Reels

Posting at optimal times can significantly increase your Reels' reach and engagement. While the best time varies by audience, here are general guidelines based on Facebook data:

• Weekdays: 9 AM - 3 PM (when people check Facebook during work breaks)
• Weekends: 12 PM - 1 PM (lunch hours and early afternoon)
• Peak Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday typically see highest engagement
• Check Analytics: Use Meta Creator Studio Insights to identify when YOUR audience is most active

Common Facebook Reels Upload Errors (And Fixes)

Error: "Upload Failed" or "Something Went Wrong"

Solutions: Check your internet connection (switch to WiFi for better stability), verify video format is MP4 or MOV, ensure file size is under 4GB, clear Facebook app cache (Settings > Apps > Facebook > Clear Cache), update the app to the latest version, or try uploading from a different device or browser.

Error: "Video Too Long" or Not Appearing as a Reel

Solution: Trim your video to 90 seconds or less using a video editing tool. Facebook Reels must be under 90 seconds to be classified as Reels. Videos longer than 90 seconds will be posted as regular Facebook videos instead of Reels.

Error: Video Stuck on "Processing"

Solutions: Wait 10-20 minutes (high-quality files take longer to process, especially on Facebook), ensure stable internet connection throughout processing, close and reopen the app or browser, reduce video file size or bitrate if consistently failing, or try uploading during off-peak hours when Facebook servers are less congested.

Error: "Copyright Detected" or Audio Removed

Solution: This occurs when you use copyrighted music without permission. Use Facebook's Sound Collection library for royalty-free music, add audio from Facebook's approved music library, create original audio content, or ensure you have proper licensing rights for any music used. Alternatively, mute the video and add permitted audio after upload.

Error: "Invalid Format" or "File Not Supported"

Solution: Convert your video to MP4 format with H.264 video codec and AAC audio codec. Use a video converter tool or export from your video editor with these specifications. Ensure resolution is 1080x1920 or at minimum 720x1280 for vertical Reels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Start Uploading Facebook Reels Like a Pro

Now you know exactly how to upload Facebook Reels from both mobile and desktop, optimize for monetization, create engaging captions with strategic hashtags, and troubleshoot common errors. Remember to focus on high-quality vertical content, post consistently during peak times, and leverage Facebook's algorithm by using trending audio and creating retention-focused videos. If you're managing content across multiple platforms, check out our guides on how to upload Instagram Reels, how to upload YouTube Shorts, and how to upload TikTok videos to maximize your reach across all platforms.