Instagram Reels have become hugely popular since their launch in 2020. The short, entertaining videos make it easy for users to create and share content. Many people want to save these videos to their camera roll to rewatch later or share with friends who don’t have Instagram.
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Methods to Download Instagram Reels
There are several methods you can use to download Instagram Reels videos:
Use Instagram’s Built-in Download Tool
The easiest way is to use Instagram’s built-in Reels download feature (available as of June 2022):
- Open the Reels video you want to save
- Tap the three-dot menu icon
- Select “Save Video” or “Save to Camera Roll”
The video will save directly to your phone’s camera roll.
Note: This only works for public Instagram accounts. Private accounts and some public accounts have disabled saving/downloading.
Record Your Screen
If the built-in tool doesn’t work, you can record your device’s screen while playing the Reels video:
On iPhone
- Open the Reels video
- Swipe down from the top right of your screen to open Control Center
- Tap the Screen Recording button (it looks like a circle inside a square)
- Tap “Start Recording”
- The video will record with internal audio for up to 5 minutes
- Tap the red bar at the top to stop recording
- Find the video in your Photos app
On Android
- Open the Reels video
- Swipe down twice from the top of your screen
- Tap the Screen Recorder tile
- Tap the Record button
- Tap Stop to finish recording
- The video will save to the Photos app
You can then crop the start/end of the video to isolate the Reels content.
Use Third-Party Apps
There are also free third-party apps for downloading Instagram videos:
On iPhone:
- InSaver: Also lets you repost videos
- InstaDown: No frills downloader
On Android:
- Video Downloader for Instagram: Easy-to-use tool
- Reels Video Downloader: Specialized for Reels
These apps allow you to download Reels from public and private accounts.
Steps to Download Your Own Reels
You may want to download Reels you have posted yourself. Here’s how:
- Open the Instagram app
- Go to your profile page
- Tap on the Reels tab
- Open the Reel you want to save
- Tap on the three-dot menu
- Select “Save to Camera Roll”
The Reel will save to your camera roll so you have your own copy.
Things to Know About Downloaded Instagram Reels
Here are some important notes about downloading Reels:
- Downloaded videos include the Instagram watermark
- Reels with copyrighted music may not save with audio
- Private accounts can prevent downloads
- Public accounts can disable saving for their Reels
- Downloaded videos are lower resolution than the original
- Maximum length for Reels is currently 60 seconds
So while it’s easy to download Reels, there are some limitations. The methods above should work in most cases though.
Sharing Downloaded Reels Videos
Once you’ve saved Reels to your camera roll, you can easily share them with friends and family:
Text or Email
- Open the Photos app
- Tap on the Reels video
- Tap the Share button
- Choose Message or Mail to send the video file
Social Media
You can also share saved Reels videos to other social platforms:
- Facebook / Messenger: Tap the Share button and select Facebook
- Twitter: Upload the video then share the tweet link
- TikTok: Upload video to TikTok then share URL
This allows your friends and followers on other platforms to see the great Instagram Reels content you discover.
Editing Tips for Downloaded Reels
You may want to edit Reels videos before sharing:
- Trim length – Cut down longer videos
- Crop video – Remove black bars or watermark
- Add music – Replace audio if copyright removed
- Text overlays – Highlight key moments
- Filters – Adjust colors and brightness
Free apps like InShot (iOS/Android) make editing easy.
Conclusion
Downloading and saving Instagram Reels videos takes just a few taps using the built-in tool, screen recording, or third-party apps. While there are some limitations, it gives you an easy way to rewatch, share, and even edit your favorite Reels. The ability to download Reels is a game-changer for Instagram users.
