How to Download Instagram Reels on Any Device in 2023
Instagram Reels are short, entertaining videos that have taken the platform by storm. From funny skits to informative tutorials, Reels offer endless creative possibilities in a snackable format.
As a content creator, you may want to download your own Reels to repurpose on other platforms or back them up offline. Or perhaps you came across an amazing Reel you‘d like to save for later viewing or share with friends outside of Instagram.
The good news is that it‘s possible to download any Instagram Reel – but the methods differ depending on whether you‘re saving your own content or someone else‘s. In this guide, we‘ll walk you through all the ways to download Instagram Reels on mobile and desktop devices. We‘ll also cover important considerations around copyright and the responsible use of downloaded Reels.
How to Download Your Own Instagram Reels
If you created a Reel yourself, Instagram makes it easy to download the original video file in just a few taps. Here‘s how:
Downloading Published Reels
- Go to your Instagram profile and tap the Reels tab
- Find the Reel you want to save and open it
- Tap the three dots icon in the bottom right corner
- Select "Save to device"
The Reel video will be saved to your camera roll, where you can transfer it to your computer or re-edit it using other apps.
Saving Reel Drafts
Changed your mind about posting that Reel right now? You can save a draft to your device before publishing:
- In the Reel editing screen, tap the download icon in the top left corner
- The draft will save to your camera roll, and you can tap "Discard" to remove it from Instagram
This is a handy trick if you want to use a video clip from your Reel edits in another project. Just keep in mind the draft watermark will be visible.
How to Download Others‘ Instagram Reels on Mobile
When it comes to saving Reels created by others, Instagram doesn‘t provide an official download button due to copyright reasons (more on this later). However, there are still a couple ways to save inspiring Reels to your phone:
Screen Recording
Both iOS and Android devices have built-in screen recording tools that can capture Reels as you watch them:
iPhone Screen Recording
- Open Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls
- Tap the + button next to Screen Recording
- Swipe up from the bottom edge to open Control Center
- Tap the Screen Record button and wait for the 3-second countdown
- Open Instagram and play the Reel you want to record
- Tap the red status bar at the top of the screen to stop recording
- The video saves automatically to your camera roll
Android Screen Recording
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings
- Tap the Screen Record button (you may need to swipe right to see it)
- Choose your sound and tap Start
- Open Instagram and play the Reel
- Tap the Screen Record notification to stop recording
- Find the video in your phone‘s Gallery or Photos app
The main downsides of this method are that you‘ll capture UI elements around the actual Reel, and the video will be a lower resolution than the original since it records your screen. You‘ll also need to manually trim the start and end of the video. But if you just need a quick way to save a Reel offline, screen recording does the job.
Third-Party Apps
For higher quality downloads without the extra trimmings, you can use an external app to save Instagram Reels. There are numerous free options available on the App Store and Google Play that let you enter a Reel link to download the original video file. Some popular choices include:
- Reels Downloader for Instagram
- Instasave
- Video Downloader for Instagram – Repost IG App
- InSaver – Instagram Story & Video Downloader
Most of these apps work the same way:
- Copy the link to the Instagram Reel
- Open the Reels downloader app
- Paste the link into the app‘s search bar
- Tap Download or Save
Within seconds, you‘ll have the full Reel saved to a folder in your camera roll, complete with the original audio, effects and resolution. Easy, right?
Well, there are a few potential issues to watch out for when using third-party Reel downloaders:
- Some contain intrusive ads or require in-app purchases for full features
- There may be daily download limits
- Developers could access your Instagram data (if you log in)
- Apps from unknown sources could contain malware or violate Instagram‘s terms
That‘s why it‘s important to only use Reel downloader apps from reputable developers, and be cautious about granting them access to your Instagram account. Stick to the ones with high ratings and lots of downloads to be safe.
As an alternative, you can use an online Reel downloader site in your mobile browser, so you don‘t have to install any extra software. More on those in the next section.
How to Download Instagram Reels on Desktop
Want to view that mesmerizing Reel on a bigger screen? Or maybe you need to pull the raw video file into your editing software for a new project. In any case, saving Instagram Reels to your computer is possible with a few different tools.
Desktop Screen Recording
Just like on mobile, you can use your PC or Mac‘s screen recording feature to capture Instagram Reels playing in your browser. This is a good option if you want to add your own commentary or reaction to the Reel.
For Windows 10, you can use the built-in Xbox Game Bar:
- Open the Instagram Reel in your browser
- Press Windows key + G to open Game Bar
- Click the Record button or press Windows key + Alt + R
- Switch to the browser window and let the Reel play through
- Click Stop Recording in the Game Bar or press Windows key + Alt + R again
- The video will be saved in your Videos/Captures folder
On a Mac, you can use QuickTime Player:
- Open QuickTime Player from Applications
- Click File > New Screen Recording
- Select your desired sound source and resolution
- Click Record and select the browser window
- Play the Reel on Instagram.com
- Click Stop Recording in the menu bar
- Choose a filename and location and click Save
For the most control over your recording settings and output formats, you can also try dedicated screen recording software like:
- OBS Studio (free)
- Camtasia
- Screenflow
- Loom
These programs let you capture your entire screen or a selected portion, record narration, and export in various resolutions optimized for different platforms.
Online Reel Downloaders
Perhaps the easiest way to save Instagram Reel videos on your computer is to use an online downloader tool. These websites let you simply paste the link to any Reel and instantly get back the original MP4 file to download.
Some of the most popular online Reel downloaders include:
- IG Downloader
- SaveInsta
- DownloadGram
- Inflact
To use them:
- Open the Instagram Reel you want to save
- Click the three dots and select "Copy link"
- Go to the Reel downloader site and paste the link
- Click Download and save the video file
No extra software or logins required. Again just be careful about which sites you use and don‘t download any suspicious files. Reputable Reel downloaders will have clear privacy policies and terms of use that forbid illegal sharing of copyright content.
How to Download Instagram Reels via Stories
Here‘s a clever workaround to download Reels without using any third-party tools. You can share a Reel to your own Instagram Story, then save a copy of the Story to your device. Sneaky, right?
Try it out:
- Open the Reel and tap the paper plane icon
- Select "Add reel to your story"
- Tap the download icon in the top right to save the story
- You‘ll get the Reel with a background image in your camera roll
Keep in mind the Reel will have a larger dimensions to fit the Story format, and it will only play once before looping. But this trick comes in handy for quickly saving Reels within the Instagram app.
How to Save Instagram Reels to Watch Later
What if you spot an awesome Reel but don‘t have time to watch it right now? Instead of downloading the full video, you can bookmark it to revisit later on.
To save an Instagram Reel just tap the ribbon icon below the video. It will turn black to indicate the Reel has been added to your Saved collection.
To view your saved Reels, go to your profile page and tap the three lines icon in the top right. Under "Saved," you‘ll see all the Reels you‘ve bookmarked, along with any other saved posts and collections.
This feature is great for building a library of inspiring Reels to fuel your own content ideas. You can even organize saved Reels into different collections for easier browsing.
Copyright Considerations for Instagram Reels
Now a quick word about the legal side of downloading Instagram Reels. While it‘s okay to save your own Reels to repost on other platforms or remix into new creations, you should be cautious about using other people‘s content without permission.
Reels are protected by copyright just like any other original work. Unless the creator expressly invites others to share or adapt their Reels, you can only view them within the Instagram app. Downloading someone‘s Reel and reposting it in full on another site or passing it off as your own would be considered copyright infringement.
Of course, there are exceptions for fair use, like commentary, criticism, or parody. But in general, the safest approach is to get consent from the original creator before reposting their Reel or using a substantial portion of it in your own content.
If you do repost a Reel you didn‘t create, be sure to clearly credit the original poster in your caption and tag or link back to their profile. Provide enough context so others know you‘re amplifying their work, not copying it.
Conclusion
With these methods in your toolkit, you‘re ready to start saving all your favorite Instagram Reels. Whether you want to download your own Reel creations to edit on other platforms or bookmark others‘ clips for later inspiration, you‘ve got options on mobile and desktop.
To recap, you can download Instagram Reels by:
- Saving to your device from your own profile
- Screen recording on your phone or computer
- Using a third-party downloader app or website
- Adding a Reel to your story then saving it
- Bookmarking Reels to view later on Instagram
Each method has its advantages and limitations in terms of quality, efficiency and features. Test out a few different tools to find what works best for your needs and device.
Just remember to always respect creators‘ intellectual property rights and give proper attribution if you do repost someone else‘s Reel. Used wisely, downloaded Reels can be a valuable addition to your digital content arsenal.
Do you have a favorite tool for saving Instagram Reels we didn‘t mention? Got any creative ideas for remixing Reels into new content formats? Let us know in the comments!
