How to Download Instagram Reels in 2025?

Last Updated on April 17, 2025 by Himanshu Rawat

Instagram Reels are fun, quick videos that people love to watch and share. You’ll find everything from travel clips and recipes to funny moments and helpful tips. Sometimes, you might want to save a reel to watch later or share with someone who’s not on Instagram.

The good news? There are easy ways to download Instagram Reels to your phone—whether you’re using the Instagram app, an Android or iPhone, or even a screen recording. In this blog, we’ll show you step-by-step how to do it, using simple methods that anyone can follow.

Let’s jump in!

Can You Download Instagram Reels?

Yes, you can! But how you download them depends on a few things.

If it’s your own reel, Instagram lets you download it straight from the app—either before you post it or after it’s live on your profile.

If it’s a reel from someone else’s account, you can download it—but only if:

• Their account is public, and
• They’ve allowed downloads on their Reels.

If those settings are turned on, you’ll see the option to download the reel directly from Instagram. If not, you can still save it using screen recording or a third-party tool (we’ll show you how!).

Always remember to give credit and only use downloaded content in a respectful way.

How to Download Instagram Reels

Let’s go through the easiest and most effective methods, step by step:

Method 1: Download Your Own Reels from the Instagram App

If you’re trying to download your own reel, Instagram makes it pretty simple. You can save your video either before you post it or after it’s already shared.

Before Posting a Reel:

• Create your reel as usual.
• Before tapping “Share,” look for the download icon (a small arrow pointing down) and tap it.

• The reel will be saved to your phone’s gallery.

After Posting a Reel:

• Go to your profile and tap the Reels tab.
• Open the reel you want to download.

• Tap the three dots in the corner.

• Select “Save to your device” or “Download.”

Keep in mind, if your reel has music from Instagram’s library, the audio might not be included in the saved version because of copyright rules.

And that’s it—your reel is now saved on your phone.

Method 2: Download Public Reels with Instagram’s Download Option

Instagram now allows some Reels from public accounts to be downloaded:

• Open Instagram and find the reel you want.
• Tap the three dots on the bottom right of the reel.

• If you see the “Download” option, tap it.

• The reel will be saved to your phone.

Note: This only works if the creator has enabled downloads for that Reel.

Method 3: Use a Third-Party App (Android & iPhone)

For Reels that don’t have the download option, use a third-party app:

On Android:

• Try apps like Reels Downloader, Video Downloader for Instagram, or Story Saver from the Play Store.
• Copy the Reel’s link from Instagram and paste it in the app.
• Tap Download to save the video.

On iOS:

• Look for InSaver, ReelSaver, or InstaDown on the App Store.
• Copy the link from Instagram.
• Open the app and paste it — the video will download to your Photos app.

Method 4: Use Your Phone’s Screen Recorder

Don’t want to install anything? Use your built-in screen recorder:

For iPhone:

• Swipe down to open Control Center.

• Tap Screen Recording.

• Play the Reel.
• Trim the video later in the Photos app if needed.

For Android:

• Swipe down to open Quick Settings.
• Look for the Screen Recorder option.
• Record the Reel while it plays.
• Use a basic video editor to trim out the start/end.

Method 5: Download Instagram Reels on Desktop

Prefer saving Reels on your computer? Try these browser tools:

• Kapwing
• SnapInsta
• Inflact

Just copy the Reel URL, paste it into the tool, and download the video. Some tools may require sign-up for high-resolution downloads.

Bonus: How to Save Reels Without Downloading

If you don’t want to download reels to your phone, you can still save them inside Instagram. This way, you can watch them later without taking up space on your device.

Here’s how to do it:

• Find the reel you want to save.
• Tap the three dots on the reel.
• Tap “Save.”

That’s it! The reel is now saved to your Instagram account.

To find it later:

• Go to your Instagram profile.
• Tap the three lines (top right corner).
• Tap “Saved.”
• You’ll see all the reels and posts you’ve saved.

This option is perfect if you just want to bookmark reels to watch or share later—no need to download anything.

What Should You Do Next?

Now that you know how to save and download Instagram Reels, go ahead and try it out.

• Want to watch reels without the internet? Use the download or screen record options.
• Don’t want to fill up your phone storage? Just save reels inside the Instagram app.
• Looking for ideas for your own content? Keep a list of reels that inspire you.

And if you run a small business or sell online, check out Outfy.

It’s a tool that helps you easily make and share short videos like reels for your products. You can even set it up to post automatically. It saves you time and helps more people find your store.

Just remember—if you’re downloading someone else’s reel, their account needs to be public, and they must have downloads turned on. And always give credit if you plan to share it.

Now go ahead—start saving reels you love, or better yet, start making your own!

FAQs about Downloading Instagram Reels

1. Can people see if you download their Instagram Reel?

No, Instagram doesn’t notify users when someone downloads or saves their reel. If you use the download button (when available), screen recording, or a third-party tool, the person won’t know. But it’s always a good idea to respect their content and not repost it without permission.

2. How do I remove the reel watermark

If your reel has a watermark, you can use a video editor to crop it out or blur it. But if it’s someone else’s reel, it’s better not to remove the watermark—it shows who made the original video, and removing it could look like you’re claiming it as your own.

3. Why can’t I download my Instagram Reel?

There might be a few reasons:

• The Instagram app needs to be updated.
• There could be a bug or issue with the app.
• Sometimes business or creator accounts have limited options.

If the download button isn’t showing, you can try screen recording or check your reel in the app’s archive to save it from there.

4. Can I download someone else’s Reel?

Yes, but only if their account is public and they’ve allowed downloads. If the download button doesn’t appear, you can save the reel in the app or use screen recording instead.

5. Where do the downloaded Reels go?

If you download a reel from Instagram, it usually goes to your phone’s gallery or Photos app. If you use a different tool or browser, the video might go into your Downloads folder.