If your stories aren't showing up on Instagram, it's almost always one of these. Walk through them in order.
1. Approved, but not published or scheduled
Approve marks a story as ready — it doesn't post it. A story goes live when you tap Publish to Instagram on its card (or "Approve & post" in the daily email), or when you give it a time with the clock button.
Fix: Open the Inbox, find the card that says "✓ Approved", and tap Publish to Instagram — or schedule it.
2. The scheduled time hasn't come round yet
Pith checks for scheduled stories every 5 minutes, so a story set for 10:00 goes out a few minutes after — the card says "Publishes from 10:00". You can't pick a time less than one check away; Pith tells you the earliest time that works.
Fix: Give it a few minutes. If you want it live right now, tap Publish to Instagram instead.
3. The Instagram connection lapsed or was removed
Pith renews your Instagram access automatically, but if renewal fails you'll see "Reconnect Instagram. Your token expires in N days" or "Your Instagram connection has expired." at the top of the Inbox. Removing Pith in Instagram's own Apps and websites settings disconnects it too — Settings will offer Connect Instagram → again.
Fix: Tap Reconnect Instagram → on the banner (or Connect Instagram → in Settings) and approve.
4. The connection has no publish access
If the publishing permission was unticked on Instagram's screen, Pith can draft but not post. The Inbox shows "Publishing is ready to unlock." and cards offer Save & post it yourself instead.
Fix: Tap Reconnect Instagram → and allow every permission Instagram lists.
5. Account switched to Personal
Instagram only lets apps publish to Business or Creator accounts.
Fix: In the Instagram app: profile → ☰ → Settings and activity → Account type and tools → Switch to professional account. Then reconnect in Pith.
6. You've used your plan's stories
The Free plan includes 5 stories in any 30 days (downloaded stories count too). Once they're used, Pith shows an upgrade prompt in the Inbox instead of posting.
Fix: Upgrade from that prompt, or wait for a slot to free up.
If none of the above match, email hello@pith.day with your account handle and roughly when the story should have gone out. We can look up exactly what happened.