How to Download Instagram Reels: Complete Guide For 2025

Ritika Tiwari -

Instagram Reels are a game-changer for Instagram marketing, offering creative, bite-sized content to engage audiences. Whether you're analyzing trends, repurposing posts, or saving inspiration, downloading Reels is a must for marketers and creators focused on impactful types of social media content.

This guide shows you quick, hassle-free ways to save Reels while staying on the right side of platform rules. Elevate your strategy, spark creativity, and make your content stand out across platforms!

Table of Contents
Can Instagram Reels be downloaded?
How to download Instagram Reels using different devices
How to save a Reel on Instagram?
4 ways to repurpose your downloaded Instagram Reels


Can Instagram Reels be downloaded?

Yes, you can download your own Reels and any other publicly posted Reels on the platform. The feature was first introduced by Instagram in 2023 for users based in the US and then slowly rolled out for everyone.

Here are a few things to note before you download Reels from Instagram

  • You can only download Reels from public accounts.

  • Public accounts can turn off the download Reels option. So if you can’t find the download button on a public account’s page, then it probably means they have disabled the feature.

  • If you use Instagram’s built-in feature to download public Reels, there will be a watermark present (It’s possible to download your own Reels without the watermark).

  • The sound is automatically removed if you’re downloading Instagram Reels with copyrighted audio. So, if a viral Reels features a hit song, there will be no audio when you download it.


NOTE: Always respect the intellectual property of creators. Seek permission for reuse, especially for commercial purposes.

How to download Instagram Reels using different devices

Download Instagram Reels within the app

The easiest and quickest way to download Instagram Reels is through the Instagram app. But the actual steps to download the Reels will depend on two things:

  • Whether you are using an iPhone or an Android;
  • Whether you’re downloading someone else’s Reels or our own.

Let’s take a look at how to download a Reel from Instagram using iPhone and Android phones.

How to download Instagram Reels on iPhone

  • To download Reels on iPhone, go to your Instagram account profile or anyone else’s, and tap on ‘Reels’ icon.
  • Now, tap on the Reel you want to download.
  • With the Reel open now, click on the DM/ Share button, which is present right below the comment button. You’ll find the option to download in the bottom panel.
  • Once the Reels is downloaded, you’ll get a notification.
  • Navigate back to your camera roll to make sure that the video has in fact downloaded–and you’re done.

Important to note: When you save an Instagram Reel on your phone directly through the Instagram app, it's saved in your camera roll with an Instagram logo along with the name of the Instagram account that published the Reels. It’s pretty similar to the watermark that TikTok adds to its videos when you download them.


The only way through which you can download a Reel without the watermark from within the app applies to your own Reels, the ones that are saved in your drafts.

Here are the steps to download a Reel from your Instagram drafts:

  1. Open the camera on your Instagram app by swiping left and click on the Reels tab. Alternatively, you can also click on your account photo present in the top right corner of the Instagram home feed.
  2. Click on the Reels tab and swipe up. You’ll find the ‘Drafts’ folder here. Tap on it to view all of the drafts you have saved.

3. Select the draft Reels you want to download and click on the ‘Edit’ button.

4. On the edit page, you’ll find the download icon at the top corner of the screen. Tap it to save Instagram Reels to camera roll.

How to download Instagram Reels on Android

Wondering how to download Reels from Instagram to the gallery of your Android phone?

The steps to download a published Reel on an Android phone are almost the same as on an iPhone. Take a look at how to download and save Reels from Instagram to gallery:

  • Go to the Reel you want to download.
  • Tap on the DM/share button.
  • Click the download button on the bottom panel.
  • Your Reels will be saved to your photo gallery.

To download one of your own Reels already saved in drafts, follow these steps:

1.Swipe left to open the camera on Instagram and select Reels.

2. Swipe up to find the ‘Drafts’ folder and tap on it.

3. Select the Reels you want to download.

4. Now, click on the ‘Edit’ button present on the top right side of the screen.

5. Among all the editing options, you’ll find the download option in the bottom panel. Click on it to save your Reels to the gallery.

Take a look at the pros and cons of downloading Instagram Reels through its mobile app.

Pros:

  • Convenience: The built-in tools by Instagram make it pretty easy to download Instagram Reels to camera roll without needing to download any external apps.

  • Quality: When you download Reels directly from Instagram, it helps ensure that the original resolution of the video is maintained without any decline in quality.

  • Legitimacy: There are no copyright issues when downloading Reels directly through the Instagram app. You can only download publicly available Reels, which already credit the original creator. In case the Reels has copyrighted audio, it gets automatically taken out when you download the video.

Cons:

  • Limited access: You can only download your own Reels or publicly available Reels.

  • Storage concerns: Videos in original resolution can take up significant space on your mobile device.

  • No audio: Even if you want to retain the audio of a Reel, you can’t do that when the Reel has copyrighted audio.

Download Instagram Reels from desktop

You can download Instagram Reels directly from your desktop using built-in screen recording tools. Since you’ll be essentially screen recording the Reels, you can download just about any Reels you’re watching on Instagram without any restrictions.

If you have Windows, you can use the Snipping Tool, the default Windows tool, to screen record. Remember that the Snipping Tool only supports screen recordings from Windows 11 onwards. In case you can’t find the recording option on the tool, go to the Windows Store to update it.

Here are the steps to screen record an Instagram Reel on Windows

  1. Open the Snipping Tool.
  2. Toggle to the video icon and click on the New button.

3. Drag the rectangle in the section of the screen you want to record. (You can choose to only record the Reel or the entire window).

4. Press start and wait for the Reel to record completely.

5. Click on Finish when you’re done. Your recording will be saved on the local drive (It’s saved in the Videos folder by default).

Note: Snipping Tool cannot record audio, so if you want audio to go with your Reels, you’ll have to look at other third-party tools.

If you have a Mac, you can use the Screenshot tool. Here are the steps to screen record Reels with Screenshot

  • Press Shift-Command-5 or use Launchpad to open the Screenshot tool.
  • Click on the screen record button.
  • Drag the edges of the frame to fit the area of the screen you want to record. Alternatively, you can screen record the whole tab or screen and crop the video later.
  • Click the start record button and stop it when your Reel is recorded. Save the Reel anywhere on your local drive.

Let’s take a look at the main pros and cons of downloading Instagram Reels via screen recording.

Pros:

  • No watermark: You can download any Instagram Reel without the watermark, even if it’s not a public Reel.

  • No third-party apps needed: Both Windows and Mac have their own default screen recording tools available, which means you don’t need to download a new tool just to save an Instagram Reel offline.

  • The audio stays intact: You can download Instagram Reels with their audio intact–even the Reels with copyrighted audio in them.

Cons

  • Editing requires a lot of effort: Since Reels play on an indefinite loop, it’s tricky to start screen recording right from the first second and stop at the last. You’ll have to spend extra time editing the Reels to get it right.

  • Quality loss: Since you are screen recording Reels, there might be a decline in quality.

  • Audio problem with Windows: The Snipping Tool on Windows does not record audio at all. So, if you have Windows and want to download Reels with audio, you’ll have to look into other options.

Download Instagram Reels through screen recording on mobile devices

You can also use screen recording on your phone to download Instagram Reels directly without any watermark or restrictions.

Here are the steps to download Reels via screen recording on iPhone and Android.

For iPhones

  1. Swipe down to open the Control Centre.
  2. Tap on the Screen Recording icon to start recording.

3. Open Instagram and play the Reel you want to save.

4. Once done, tap the Stop button to end the recording.


5. The Reel will be saved automatically to your camera roll.

For Android devices

1.Tap on the Screen Recorder option (this may vary based on your device).

  • If you’re using a Samsung phone, you’ll find it in the Quick Panel.
  • Choose your preferred sound settings: No Sound, Media Sound, or Media Sound and Mic.

2.Start the screen recording; a 3-second countdown will appear before it begins.

3.Play the Reel you want to record.

4.Stop the recording once the Reel is captured. You’ll find the recorded Reel in your camera gallery.

Pros:

  • No third-party apps needed: You don’t need to download new tools just to record Reels. The built-in screen recording tools for iPhone and Android work perfectly well.

  • Download any Instagram Reels: You can download any Instagram Reel directly to your phone.

  • Simple and straightforward: The screen recording feature on smartphones is pretty straightforward and easy to use. You can save the Reels to camera roll directly after the recording is done.

Cons:

  • Manual trimming may be required: Since Reels don’t often get screen recorded perfectly from the beginning to the end, you’ll likely need to edit the recording.

  • Potential quality issues: The screen recording may not have the same quality as the original Reels video.

  • Copyright concerns: While you can download just about any Reel through screen recording, downloading and reusing Reels without consent from the copyright owner can lead to possible legal issues.

Download Instagram Reels using third-party apps

There are also third-party tools you can explore to download Instagram Reels. Tools like InstaSave (available for iOS and browser) and InSaver (available for iOS, Android, and browser) allow you to save Instagram Reels.

You can copy/paste the Reel URLs into these Instagram Reel downloader apps and then directly download the Reels you need. It's possible to download any Reel through these apps–yours or anyone else’s. There are no watermarks when you download Reels through these apps.

Want to download private Reels? Access these tools through a browser while logged into your Instagram account, and you're good to go.

Pros:

  • Convenient: You can download just about any Reel from your mobile phone or browser.

  • Batch downloads: Depending on the app you’re using, you may be able to download Reels in bulk.

  • High-quality: These third-party apps claim to maintain the integrity and resolution of Reels.

Cons:

  • Ad intrusions: Most free apps will either bombard you with ads or contain in-app purchases.

  • Legal concerns: These apps even allow you to download Reels from private Instagram accounts. Reusing downloaded Reels without the permission of the original owner can lead to copyright infringement issues.

  • Privacy risks: Third-party apps can ask for unnecessary permissions, including access to your Instagram account. They may even collect your personal data. You should only use apps that you trust.

How to save a Reel on Instagram?

If you aren’t ready to download a big chunk of Reels to your phone yet, you can save Reels to your Instagram account for content inspiration first and then download your favorites later.

Unsure about how to save Instagram Reels? Here are the steps to save a Reel on Instagram:

  1. Open the Reels you want to save.
  2. Click on the three dots you see at the bottom.

3. Tap on the save button.

4. Optional: Create different ‘collections’ for better organization when saving Reels on Instagram. You can use collections to organize Reels based on key content pillars or themes you’d want to incorporate into your strategy.

To access saved Reels, open your Instagram account and click on the three lines in the top right corner. This will open the Setting and activity window.

Under ‘How to use Instagram’ select ‘Saved.’ You’ll now be able to see all your saved Reels and collections

4 ways to repurpose your downloaded Instagram Reels

Take a look at the different ways to reuse all of your downloaded Instagram Reels.

#1. Analyze performance and repurpose high-performing Reels

Repurposing high-performance Reels allows you to get additional value from social media content that has already proven to resonate with your target audience.

But here’s the biggest question: How do you find the best-performing Reels?

Do you just scroll endlessly through the depths of your Instagram account until you find some Reels that seem to have a considerably high number of views?

Here’s a better shortcut: Opt for a social media analytics tool like Socialinsider that can automatically find the best-performing Reels on your or your competitor’s Instagram account.

Socialinsider’s in-depth social media insights go beyond what Instagram’s native analytics offer, making it easy for social media managers and marketing agencies to conduct thorough social media audits and identify their best-performing content.

As a competitor analysis tool, Socialinsider uses competitive intelligence for accurate industry benchmarking and campaign insights. That means you can easily compare your social media metrics against your competitors.

The tool can access historical data, allowing you to find the best-performing Reels from even a year ago–or more.

Finding your or your competitors’s best-performing Reels takes less than a minute with Socialinsider. Take a look at the steps:

  1. Connect your Instagram profile to Socialinsider.
  2. In the profile page, navigate to ‘Posts.’
  3. Go to Filter → Reels →  click on Apply.

4. Now select the time period within which you want to find the best-performing Reels and click on Search. Starting with the past 12 months is a smart move as it can highlight what worked and what didn’t.

5. Sort the Reels based on engagement, date, comments or likes.

Get Instagram Reels in-depth performance insights!

6. Go to your Instagram profile and download those Instagram Reels. You can use the Instagram Reels download feature to save the videos you want to repurpose.

When planning to repurpose content, make sure you save Reels from Instagram that have proven engagement and success.

Socialinsider has a dedicated tab for Reel insights, making it easier for you to analyze your Reel performance on a more granular level.

Here are some of the key Reels you can access with Socalinsider:

  • Overall engagement and engagement rate
  • Total number of impressions
  • Likes vs comments
  • Saves
  • Views
  • Average watch time for Reels
  • Replays

#2. Cross-Promote Reels on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook

Cross-promote your Reels on platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook Reels—but don’t just copy-paste and expect to go viral. Each platform has different user demographics and algorithms, so tailor your content to the platform's requirements.

For instance, a viral audio on Instagram might be a total miss on TikTok. So, if you’re reusing an Instagram Reel on TikTok, check the currently trending audio on TikTok for maximum virality potential.

Important to note: Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts don’t allow users to promote content with their competitor’s logo. For instance, if you download an Instagram Reel with a watermark and try to share it directly on YouTube, your post will either get a shadow ban or not get published at all.

Knowing how to save a Reel without watermarks is critical for cross-posting on different platforms.

#3. Create reaction or commentary videos using Reels

Download and repurpose your Reels to respond to comments, answer questions, or provide quick insights. This strategy can reinforce your brand identity while putting the spotlight on your expertise and personality.

Here’s how you can use reaction videos on Instagram:

  • Look for questions or comments on your Instagram account, or search for trending topics that might align with your expertise;
  • Find some of your older Reels that can be used as a base to create new Reels.

Key pointers to keep in mind for creating impactful reaction videos:

  • Keep it original: The focus should be on your expertise and voice. Repurpose your existing Reels instead of downloading someone else’s Reels for reaction videos.
  • Keep it concise: Make sure your Reel is short, concise, and engaging. The maximum Instagram Reels length is 90 seconds.
  • Keep it engaging: Your Reels should encourage feedback and discussion to boost the overall engagement

Check out our guides on how to create Instagram Reels and the top social media video tips to nail your next reaction video.

The biggest benefit of sharing Reels? You get a vast content library full of Reels ideas that you can share with your whole team. You can even share high-performing Reels in business presentations as examples of successful video storytelling.

Final thoughts

Whether you're curating content for the next quarter, seeking inspiration, or repurposing videos for other platforms, downloading Reels from Instagram can be the most powerful weapon in your Instagram marketing arsenal.

Remember, understanding social media best practices is crucial for effectively integrating Instagram Reels into your campaigns and strategies.

Just stick to the copyright guidelines, download only high-quality videos, and you’re all set!

FAQs on how to download Instagram Reels?

Can I download Reels with audio?

Mostly, yes. You can download any Reel with audio if you are using a screen recording tool or a third-party tool. In case you’re downloading Reels directly through the Instagram app, any Reel you download with copyrighted audio will have no sound.

How to download a video from Instagram?

Downloading video posts from Instagram isn’t directly supported. However, you can screen record the video using your device’s built-in tools or use third-party tools for downloading Instagram videos. If you're downloading your own video posts and they’re still in your Instagram Drafts, you can save them directly from the app.