The Instagram reel feature is one we can’t get enough of. These videos somehow manage to be very engaging and entertaining, despite their short runtime.
These videos can be anything from quick guides and life hacks to comedy skits. And sometimes, these videos can be so interesting that you’d want to watch them again.
Instagram has a feature that lets you bookmark reels to watch them later. However, you can only watch those on the app and with an internet connection and that might not be enough for you. The best option is to download the reel to your device.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the various ways of downloading an Instagram really to your device storage.
How to Download an Instagram Reel
There are a few ways to download Instagram reels to your device. Let’s get to them:
Use Instagram’s Native Save Feature
In 2023, Instagram rolled out a feature that lets you download reels from public accounts to your device. This feature was released to US users before it was sent out globally.
Every downloaded reel has a watermark that includes the username of the creator for proper attribution. Here’s how to go about it:
- Get to the reel you want to download.
- When you’re there, tap on the paper airplane icon for sharing at the right of the screen. This will open a menu with a lot of sharing options.
- Tap on the “Download” button at the bottom of the screen. You may have to swipe to the left to see it.
- Once you tap it, simply wait a few seconds for the reel to download. Instagram will notify you once the video is complete and you can now watch it on your device.
The download button would not be available for reels posted by private accounts, or public accounts that have disabled downloads.
Screen Record
This could be a good idea for reels that can’t be downloaded. Almost every device comes with the screen record function, and it is quite handy. Simply turn on the screen recorder and let the reel play. Once it’s done, you have it in your storage.
Increase your volume and put your phone on DND before recording to ensure the reel quality.
Use a Website or an App
Some websites and third-party apps help users download Instagram reels to their devices. That might be a good option for some videos you may not be able to download through the Instagram app.
Using a website: Start by copying the link to the reel by tapping the share button and clicking “Copy link.” Then go to the website of your choice, paste the reel link in the appropriate space, and click download. That will extract the video for you to download on your device.
Using an app: Apps are easier to use than websites, but you should be careful with them. They may require you to log in to your Instagram account, giving them access to your data.
These are some quick ways to download Instagram reels. Follow these steps and enjoy.
