How to Pick a Specific Replacement for an Item in an Instacart Order

Add your preferred item to add to the order. Before you specify a potential substitute, you'll want to add your first choice to your order, as you typically would. Tap the search box near the top of the screen and type in the product name. Tap the + sign on the top right corner of the item you'd like to purchase, or tap the item itself and adjust the quantity. Then tap the "Add to Cart" button.^[2]

• Tap the + button again to purchase additional quantities of the item.
• Repeat for additional items, or tap the cart to continue.

Open your cart. Tap the Shopping cart icon at the top of any Instacart page (mobile interface) or at the top right corner of the website.

Tap the "Instructions" button. This should be found underneath the size and title of the item to the left of the "Remove" button.^[3]

Tap the "If item is out of stock: Replace with Best Choice" button.

Select "Pick Specific Replacement".^[4]

Pick the Replacement item from the list. If the item you want to use as the substitute isn't on the list, run a search for the item using the search box underneath the title for "Possible Replacements". This list will display possible replacements updated as you type.

Tap the "Done" button. If you have additional instructions for your shopper, such as "check the expiration date" or similar, you can type those instructions into the box below "Special instructions for your shopper" before tapping "Done". The "Done" button can be found in the top right corner of the screen.^[5]