A guide for every device
How to Download Instagram Videos, Reels & Photos
The short version: copy a link from a public Instagram post, paste it into a downloader like instdownloader, and save the media it finds. The longer version — what to expect on each device, and what to do when a link fails — is below.
Step 1 — copy the post link
In the Instagram app, open the post and tap the Share icon (the paper plane). Choose Copy link. On a computer, the same option lives in the ⋯ menu, or you can copy the address straight from the browser bar.
Step 2 — paste the link into a downloader
Open instdownloader in any browser and paste the link into the box on the downloader — the Paste button can read your clipboard for you. Press Download. A single photo or video appears right away; for carousels, every slide is listed so you can pick the ones you want.
Step 3 — save the file on your device
- iPhone & iPad — Safari saves through the share sheet, and files land in Files → Downloads. Choose Save Video to keep a video in Photos.
- Android — Chrome saves to the Downloads folder and shows a notification. Photos appear in your gallery after the next media scan.
- Mac & Windows — Files go to your browser’s download folder (Downloads by default). Right-click → Save link as… lets you choose a location.
When a link does not work
Downloaders can only reach public content. If a post was deleted, the account went private, or the link is old, nothing — including instdownloader — can pull the media back. Stories and direct messages are not downloadable here at all. Double-check that your link opens in a logged-out browser window: that is exactly what instdownloader sees.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to download Instagram videos?
For personal, private use — saving your own posts, or a video you want to watch offline — downloading is generally tolerated. Copyright stays with the creator: republishing their media publicly without permission is not okay, and can violate Instagram’s terms.
Can I download Instagram content without an account?
Yes. instdownloader never asks you to log in; it reads public pages only.
Do hidden likes or disabled comments affect downloads?
No. Those settings do not change how the media is served publicly, so downloads are unaffected.
What about Stories, Highlights, and Lives?
Those are not supported. Instagram serves them only to signed-in followers, and instdownloader deliberately never signs in.