Instagram is one of the most popular apps in the world. In 2025, more than 2 billion people use it every month. One of the main reasons people love Instagram is because of Reels — short videos that are fun, helpful, and easy to scroll through.
Many times, we see a reel that we like and want to save it to our phone or computer. Maybe it’s your own reel that you want to download, or maybe it’s someone else’s reel you want to keep offline. But Instagram doesn’t give a simple “Download” button for everything.
Don’t worry — there are many easy ways to save reels.
In this blog, I’ll show you:
How to save your own Instagram reels
How to save reels from the Instagram app
How to use simple online tools
How to download reels on your laptop or computer
Some free apps you can use to download reels safely
Let’s start with the easiest one — how to save your own reels.
Tip: Want your reels to look perfect? Use the correct Instagram reel size — 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 ratio). It’s the ideal resolution for best quality and visibility.
How to Download Your Own Instagram Reels
If you’ve posted a reel on Instagram and want to save it to your phone, Instagram makes this really simple.
Method 1: Using the Share Button
- Open Instagram and go to your profile.
- Tap the Reels tab to see your videos.
- Open the Reel you want to save.
- Tap the Share icon (paper airplane).
- Tap Download.
The video will be saved to your camera roll or gallery.
Method 2: Using the Three Dots (More Options)
- Go to your profile and open the Reel.
- Tap the three dots (...) in the bottom right.
- Select Manage or Manage Post.
- Tap Download.
That’s it! Your reel will be saved in your phone’s gallery.
Note: If you added music from Instagram's library, sometimes the music may not be included in the downloaded video due to copyright.
How to Download Instagram Reels to Camera Roll Without Any App (When Allowed)
Instagram allows you to download some reels directly to your phone’s gallery, but only if the creator has given permission. This is not a new feature, but many people still don’t use it — or don’t know it exists.
Steps:
Open the Instagram app and find the reel you want to save.
- Tap the Share icon (paper airplane).
- If the reel is downloadable, you’ll see a “Download” option — tap on it.
- The reel will begin downloading and will be saved in your camera roll/gallery.
Keep in Mind:
This only works if the creator has allowed downloads.
You won’t see the download option on private reels or reels with downloads turned off.
For such reels, you can use online downloader websites (covered above).
How to Download Instagram Reels Using Screen Recording
If none of the above methods work — for example, the reel is from a private account or downloads are disabled — you can simply use screen recording. It’s a quick and effective way to save any reel you can play on your screen.
On Android:
Swipe down from the top to open Quick Settings.
Tap on the Screen Record button.
Open Instagram and play the reel you want to record.
Once done, stop the recording — the video will be saved in your gallery.
Note: If you don’t see the screen record button, you may need to add it manually or use a third-party app like “XRecorder” or “AZ Screen Recorder”.
On iPhone (iOS):
Swipe down from the top-right corner (iPhone X and newer) or up from the bottom (older models).
Tap the Screen Record icon (a solid circle inside a ring).
Play the reel in Instagram.
Tap the red bar at the top (or Control Center) to stop recording.
The reel will be saved in your Photos app.
Clean the Video:
You can trim the start and end of the recording using your phone’s editing tool to remove extra parts.
Note:
Screen recording is a universal method — it works for any reel regardless of settings.
Use this only for personal use, especially if the content is copyrighted or sensitive.
How to Download Instagram Reels Using Online Tools
If you want to download Instagram Reels easily — without using the app or screen recording — you can use free online tools. These websites let you paste the reel link and download the video directly to your device.
Steps to Follow:
Open Instagram and copy the link of the reel you want to download.
Tap the three dots (•••) on the reel, then select “Copy link”.
Visit an online tool like:
Paste the copied link into the box.
Click on Download, and the video will be ready to save to your device.
Things to Keep in Mind:
These tools work best for public accounts.
You can use them on mobile or desktop.
No login is required in most cases.
Avoid entering your Instagram username or password on unknown sites for safety.Tip: If one website doesn’t work, try another — sometimes tools are down temporarily.
How to Download Instagram Reels on Desktop (Laptop or PC)
Instagram doesn’t give you a download button for reels on desktop, but don’t worry — there are still simple ways to save them to your computer.
Method 1: Use Online Download Websites
This is the easiest method if you just want to save a reel quickly.
Here’s what to do:
Open Instagram in your browser (like Chrome or Firefox).
Find the reel you want to download.
Click the three dots (•••) and select “Copy link.”
Now open one of these websites:
Paste the link in the box and hit Download.
The reel will be saved to your Downloads folder.
That’s it. Quick and easy!
Method 2: Use a Chrome Extension
If you often download reels, using an extension can save time.
Here’s how:
Go to the Chrome Web Store.
Search for something like “Instagram Video Downloader.”
Add it to Chrome.
Once it’s installed, visit Instagram and open a reel.
You’ll see a Download button below the video.
Click it and the reel will be saved to your PC.
Just make sure to install extensions that have good reviews and ratings.
What You Can Do Next
Now that you know how to save Instagram Reels in different ways, pick the method that works best for you and try it out right now.
Want a quick download? Use an online tool.
Need to save often? Install a Chrome extension.
Prefer using your phone? Try the in-app option or screen recording.
Also, if you regularly enjoy content on Instagram, consider saving helpful or inspiring reels so you can watch them later — even when you’re offline.
Bonus Tip: Bookmark or save this blog so you can come back whenever you need it.
Got any questions or want tutorials on other Instagram tricks? Let me know in the comments or check out my other posts!
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