Instagram lets you watch, like and share videos, but not save other people's videos to your phone. You do not need a special app to do it: the link of the post is enough. Here is the full method, and the limits you should know about.
Step 1: copy the link
- In the Instagram app: tap the paper-plane (share) icon under the video, then Copy link. You can also tap the three dots and choose Link.
- On a computer: copy the address of the Reel or post from the browser's address bar.
Links like instagram.com/reel/..., instagram.com/p/... and instagram.com/tv/... all work.
Step 2: paste it in the downloader
Open the Instagram video downloader, paste the link, pick Video MP4, or Audio MP3 if you only want the sound, and tap Download. There is nothing to install and you never enter your Instagram password.
Step 3: find your file
- iPhone: open the Files app, then Downloads. To get it in Photos, open the video, tap Share, then Save Video.
- Android: open Files (or My Files), then the Downloads folder. It usually appears in your gallery after a few seconds.
- PC or Mac: look in your browser's download folder.
If you do not know where the file went, our guide on why downloads fail or go missing covers the usual cases.
What works
- Public Reels.
- Public videos posted on public accounts.
- MP3 extraction (192 kbit/s) of the audio of those videos.
What does not work
- Stories: they require an Instagram login, which this tool never uses.
- Private accounts: only approved followers can see the content, so the downloader cannot reach it.
- Deleted or hidden posts: the link points to nothing.
If the download fails
- Open the link in a private browser window. If Instagram asks you to log in, the account is private or restricted.
- Make sure you copied the link of the post itself, not the link of the profile.
- Wait a couple of minutes and try again: Instagram sometimes limits automated requests.
- Read why a video download fails for more ideas.
Respect the creator
A Reel belongs to the person who made it, and the music in it may have its own rights. Save videos for personal use, such as keeping a recipe or a tutorial offline. If you want to repost something, ask the creator first and credit them. You can also use the TikTok to MP3 page if the sound you want comes from a TikTok instead.
In short
Copy the link, paste it, choose MP4 or MP3, download. It takes under a minute and works for public content only.