How to Download Instagram Reels (and Why Links Fail)
Save public Instagram Reels and videos to your phone or computer without logging in, and learn why some links fail and what to try.
Instagram lets you save a Reel inside the app, but you cannot always get the video file itself. If you want an MP4 you can keep, edit or send, you can download a public Reel using just its link.
How to download a public Reel
- Open the Reel in the Instagram app and tap the paper-plane Share icon (or the three dots), then Copy link.
- Open the Instagram downloader in your browser. Use Safari on iPhone and Chrome on Android.
- Paste the link and tap Fetch.
- Choose a quality and tap Download.
On a computer, open the Reel on instagram.com, copy the address from the browser bar and paste it into the downloader.
What you can and cannot download
- Public Reels and videos: yes.
- Photos and carousels without video: no, the downloader is for video.
- Stories: no. Stories need you to be logged in to Instagram.
- Private accounts: no. We never ask for your login, so we can only reach public posts.
Why does my Instagram link fail?
Instagram is stricter than most platforms about requests that come from web servers. If a link fails, one of these is usually the reason:
- The account is private, or the post has been deleted.
- The post is a photo, not a video.
- Instagram is limiting requests for a short while. Wait a few minutes and try again.
- The link is incomplete. Copy it again using the Share, then Copy link option.
If it still fails, see our guide to fixing video links that will not download.
Be respectful
A Reel belongs to its creator. Saving one for your own viewing is fine, but do not re-upload it as your own or use it commercially without permission.