How to Download Instagram Reels [August, 2024]

Instagram Reels have become massively popular since their launch in 2020. These short, entertaining videos are shown to millions of viewers thanks to Instagram’s algorithms favoring video content.

As a user, you may want to download Reels to save your favorites for offline viewing, reuse someone else’s content, or edit videos to upload as original Reels. Unfortunately, Instagram does not have a native “Download” button for Reels.

This blog post will teach you four simple methods to download Instagram Reels on mobile (Android and iOS) and desktop devices. We’ll also explain how to save Reels without actually downloading them.

So whether you want to download your own Reels or save someone else’s public videos, you’ll learn multiple tricks to do that here!

Summary Overview – How to Download Instagram Reels

Downloading Your Own Reels

The easiest Reels to download are the ones you have posted from your Instagram account. As the content creator, the app lets you save your videos to your camera roll or gallery. Here are the steps:

On iPhone

1. Open the Instagram app and go to your profile page
2. Tap on the Reels tab under your bio
3. Find the Reel you want to save and tap on it
4. Tap on the three-dot menu on the bottom right and select “Save to Camera Roll”
5. The Reel will get saved to your phone’s local storage

On Android

1. Go to your Reels tab on Instagram
2. Open the Reel you want to download
3. Tap on the three-dot menu and choose “Save”
4. The Reel will be saved to your phone’s Instagram folder or gallery

Saving your own Reels allows you to re-use them later in other apps or upload to other platforms. The video quality remains high in the downloaded file.

Using Instagram’s Built-in Download Tool

Recently, Instagram launched its own built-in Reels downloader feature. It lets you save public Reels from other profiles right within the app. However, this is slowly rolling out to users worldwide. Follow these steps if you already have it:

1. Navigate to the Reel you want to download on Instagram
2. Tap on the Share button represented by a paper airplane icon
3. Select the “Download” option
4. The Reel will automatically get saved to your camera roll/gallery

This Instagram download feature preserves the quality of the original video. You may receive a notification indicating the Reel was downloaded with or without audio. Certain audio tracks are prohibited from being downloaded due to copyright rules.

If you still don’t see a native Reels download button, move on to the next solutions.

Recording Your Screen

If Instagram’s download tool isn’t available in your country yet, your next best option is to screen record Reels. Both iPhone and Android guide you through recording your device’s display with just a few taps.

On an iPhone

1. Open the Reel you wish to save on the Instagram app
2. Swipe down from the top-right to open Control Center
3. Tap on the Screen Recording icon which looks like a circle inside a square
4. Let the Reel video play
5. Stop the recording after saving the desired length
6. The video will get automatically stored in your camera roll

You can then crop the full screen recording to only keep the Reel portion before sharing it elsewhere.

On Android

1. Turn on Screen Recorder from Quick Settings if it’s your first time using this feature
2. Open the Instagram Reels tab and play the video you want
3. Swipe down the notification panel at the top and hit Screen Record
4. Capture the entire playing duration or a part of it
5. Stop recording and access the file from your gallery

Screen recording also captures audio alongside video. You can edit the Reel recording further before posting or sharing.

Once you've downloaded your favorite Instagram Reels, you might want to add a personal touch to make them truly shine. ReelOn is a powerful AI-based editing tool that helps you transform downloaded Reels with ease. It allows you to add effects, transitions, music, and more—taking any Reel from ordinary to scroll-stopping.

With ReelOn, customizing Reels is simple, whether you’re adding brand elements, trimming clips, or enhancing visuals. So, after downloading a Reel, use ReelOn to make it unique and eye-catching for sharing, reposting, or keeping as part of your creative collection!

Using Third-Party Apps

Dedicated Reel downloader apps simplify the process of saving videos from Instagram without needing workarounds. They are available on both iPhone and Android app stores for free with ads or paid ad-free versions. Some popular options are:

1. InstaSave – Download private and public photo/video posts
2. ReelDown – Download reels, IGTV, feed videos, and stories
3. All-in-One Instagram Downloader – Download everything and repost too
4. InSaver – Download reels, photos, albums, stories and live videos

Here are the general steps to use such tools:

1. Install a Reel downloader app from the app store
2. Provide access permissions if requested
3. Copy the link to the Instagram Reel you want to save
4. Paste it in the app’s search bar
5. Tap download or the cloud icon
6. The Reel will get saved to your camera roll/gallery

Some apps may have additional editing tools, options to repost content, and more nifty features. However, all of them enable easy downloading without screen recording.

How to Download on Desktop

You can also download Instagram Reels from a desktop web browser to your computer. This lets you save the videos without needing a mobile device. Here are some methods:

Use Screen Recording Software

Both Windows and Mac operating systems have built-in screen recorders – QuickTime on Mac and Game Bar on Windows 10. You can also install third-party software like OBS Studio.

To download Reels:

1. Visit Instagram on a desktop browser
2. Play the Reel you wish to save
3. Launch the screen recorder
4. Capture the Reel video in action
5. Trim the beginning and end to only keep the required footage

Alternatively, you can right-click on the playing Reel and choose “Save Video As”. However, this does not always work. Recording the screen is more reliable.

Use Online Downloaders

Instead of recording displays, simply paste the Reel link in an online downloading tool like IG Download or DownloadGram. Click on icons to save it to your computer.

Some web-based apps may require registration before enabling downloads. This method is the fastest way to save Instagram Reels on Windows and Mac.

Use Browser Extensions

Add downloader extensions like NinjaGram or FastSave to your Chrome or Firefox web browser. Then visit the Reel link on Instagram and click on the extension’s icon to download the video in MP4 format. No account signups needed.

Browser add-ons integrate seamlessly with Instagram for quick and easy Reel saving. However, you need to enable extensions before using them.

Saving Reels Without Downloading

If you wish to access Reels easily later on without actually downloading them, use Instagram’s Save feature instead. Here’s how:

1. Open the Reel you want to save for later
2. Tap on the three-dot menu button
3. Select the Save option
4. A confirmation message will show it’s saved

To view saved Reels:

1. Go to your profile and tap on the three lines (hamburger) menu
2. Choose the Saved option
3. Switch to the Reels tab here

This creates your own playlist of favorite Reels you can watch offline. It also lets you reshare videos easily.

Editing Tips

After downloading Reels using the above tricks, you may want to edit them before reposting or sharing elsewhere.

Use apps like InShot (mobile) and Kapwing Studio (desktop) to trim, resize, add music, insert effects, include text, and more. Some editing ideas are:

• Cut unwanted beginning or ending parts of the video
• Combine multiple Reels into a single video
• Add funny stickers, emojis, filters to the Reel
• Include a sound track if the saved video has no audio
• Resize into landscape, portrait, square sizes
• Add your own watermark or logo overlay
• Merge with photos to support audio Reels
• Increase or decrease playback speeds for comic effect

Get creative with edits to reuse public Reels legally!

Legal Concerns

A common concern is whether downloading public Instagram Reels infringes on copyrights.

Technically, other users’ content is protected by intellectual property laws. Instagram’s terms prohibit remixing Reels without permission.

However, downloading short clips for personal offline viewing should qualify as fair use legally. Just don’t reupload copies on sites to claim ownership.

Transformative reuse by adding substantial edits can also avoid legal issues. But try to credit the original creator wherever possible with the @username or #hashtag.

Only embed others’ Reels in your blog or website using the public embed codes. Don’t upload direct rips without any changes.

In case of receiving copyright notices, promptly remove the infringing Reel copy respectfully.

Troubleshooting Problems

Despite following the downloading guides accurately, you may encounter issues like:

• Can’t find the download button on Instagram
• Saving option not working
• Only audio gets stored, not video
• Very low video resolution after downloading
• Other apps can’t detect downloaded Reels
• Can only record screen, unable to save Reels

Here are some things to try fixing download problems:

• Update your version of Instagram to the latest
• Enable the Downloads folder in your device storage settings
• Grant all required permission access to third-party apps
• Try both WiFi and cellular data connections
• Clear the Instagram app’s cache and restart your phone
• Use different downloader apps or switch browsers

If Repeated failed attempts occur, it’s best to get in touch with the involved app’s developer support teams. Describe the exact issue for troubleshooting help.

Extra Tips for Downloading Reels

Saving Reels from Feed Posts

So far we’ve focused only on saving Reels from the main Reels tab. But you can also download Reels that others upload within regular photo/video posts on their Instagram feed.

The process remains the same – use the built-in download option if available or try the screen recording method. The advantage is that feed posts may get higher visibility in some cases compared to standalone Reels.

Finding Popular Reels Easily

Instead of manually searching for viral Reels to save, let Instagram recommend popular videos to you directly.

1. Open the Explore tab in the app
2. Scroll down and tap on the Reels channel under Browse All
3. Toggle on the Popular option here
4. Scroll through trending Reels and tap download icon for any favorites

The algorithm detects massively shared Reels based on content and captions. So you can easily find the current hottest viral hits to save offline.

Bulk Downloading Multiple Reels

Tired of repeating steps to download one Reel at a time? Use multi-downloading tools to grab batches of videos simultaneously.

For example, the All-in-One Downloader app has an option to paste up to 20 links together and hit download. The videos get queued up and saved sequentially to your device.

On Windows and Mac, use an extension like Chrono Download Manager – add Reels to a list, set quality/format preferences, schedule downloads. This makes obtaining multiple Reels quicker compared to individual downloads.

Creating Playlists of Downloaded Reels

The best part about having Reels saved offline is you can access them anytime without internet. Curate playlists of your favorite downloaded videos easily.

On Android, iOS, Windows, etc open the local folders containing Reels. Select the ones you want, right click > add to playlist. Give a fun name and keep adding more downloads to the playlist over time.

You can also make playlists directly within downloading apps like InShot. The playlists sync across mobile devices using cloud accounts. Shuffle play videos for entertainment!

Additional Legal Considerations

Remixing Section

We briefly discussed legality issues earlier. Here are more details on safely reusing Reels without fully copying:

• Split-screen video combining original Reel beside new related footage
• React videos displaying your commentary, critiques, analyses over the Reel
• Text-based response Reels with insights on the original content
• Memes inserting funny captions, images, edits into Reel clips
• Animations using original video visuals to create cartoon versions

The goal is adding “value” for audiences in some form without merely reposting the exact same thing. This qualifies as permitted fair use allowing parts of copyrighted materials under laws.

But assess risks before publishing if unsure. Being non-commercial and transformative tips scales towards safer territory legally.

Overuse Section

How much of a Reel can you reuse before it becomes problematic? No clear quantitative thresholds exist – judges evaluate qualitative substantiality.

But as a rule of thumb, utilizing beyond 15 seconds of content from a 30 second Reel, over 30 seconds from a 60 second Reel could raise eyebrows.

Keeping total inclusion of original footage under 50% with new value-adding visuals/audio is recommended. This proves you created something differentiated.

Too much repetition without bringing anything freshly meaningful to viewers lacks transformations. So be reasonable about reuse lengths depending on context.

Conclusion

Downloading Instagram Reels is incredibly easy on both mobile and computer devices thanks to built-in tools and third-party apps.

You can save your own Reels as the creator using the Save option. For public videos, utilize Instagram’s newish download button if you have it.

Otherwise, screen recording the Reel and using dedicated apps work reliably in all countries. The same downloader tools also let you save Instagram photos, Stories, IGTV videos, and more.

Once collected on your device, you can manage your favorite Reels like playlists for quick viewing. Consider basic editing before reposting to give proper credits. Avoid simply making unaltered copies without any substantial transformation.

We hope this ultimate guide helps you out with capturing and customizing interesting Reels off Instagram without hassles!

Learn more about INSTAGRAM REELS

FAQs about How to Download Instagram Reels

Q. Is it illegal to download other people’s public Instagram Reels?

No, downloading Reels from public accounts for personal use should not be illegal. However, reuploading exact copies without substantial changes or credits can violate intellectual property laws. Use parts of Reels to create transformative remixes legally.

Q. Why do some Reels fail to download from Instagram?

Instagram may restrict downloading Reels with copyrighted third-party music or content due to label agreements. You may also encounter tech glitches like poor internet connections, outdated app versions, or device compatibility issues hindering downloads.

Q. Can I download private Instagram Reels that are visible to followers only?

Usually no – private content that requires following the creator to access cannot be downloaded by outsiders. You’d need permission and access from the Reel’s owner to save their non-public videos. Some specialized tools claimed otherwise earlier but no longer work reliably.

Q. Is uploading Reels downloaded from Instagram piracy?

Simply reuploading others’ Reels verbatim without adding anything new or giving credits amounts to piracy. However, if you’ve made effortful edits by trimming, remixing, re-contextualizing content combining other media, then uploading derivative Reels is usually legally safe and ethical.

Q. Why do my Instagram Reel downloads have no audio?

Certain Reels may have licensed commercial music that platforms don’t permit downloading. In such cases, only the video portion gets saved without audio during downloads. Screen recordings typically still capture audio cleanly regardless of music rights. Try other downloader apps if built-in tools falter.

Q. How can I download my own deleted Instagram Reels?

Unfortunately, once you permanently delete your own Reels, there is no way to recover or download those videos again through Instagram. However if you had downloaded the Reels to your device storage earlier before deletion, those files still remain accessible in your camera roll or local folders.

Q. What are the best third-party apps to download Instagram Reels?

Some highly-rated and reliably working Instagram Reel downloader apps are InSaver, InstaSave, ReelDown, All-in-One Downloader, Repost for Instagram, DownloadGram, 4K Stogram. They offer great features beyond just saving Reels like scheduling reposts, analytics, editing tools, private profile access, and more for free or premium.

Q. Can someone who blocked me on Instagram see if I’ve downloaded their public Reels?

No, when users block you on Instagram, interaction with their public profile content is fully invisible. So if you download Reels from an account that has blocked you, the creators have no way of finding out about it while keeping you blocked. Your access remains incognito.