You know that feeling when you stumble on the perfect Reel? Maybe it's a recipe you have to try later, a hilarious skit you want to share with friends, or a piece of advice that just hits home. And your first instinct is: "I need to save this."
But then you realize — saving Reels on Instagram isn't always straightforward, especially when it's not your own. Some videos let you download with a tap, while others don't even show the option. Frustrating, right?
No worries—we've got you. In this guide, we'll show you exactly how to download Reels from Instagram, whether they're yours or someone else's. Plus, we'll share a super simple tool to help you save videos in the best quality—without the hassle.
Download Instagram Reel - Official Save Option
Save your own Instagram Reels to the device
If you want to save the Reels you have created and published, Instagram provides a direct download option. The steps are as follows:
- Navigate to the Reels tab on your Instagram profile. Select the Reel you'd like to save and open it in full-screen mode.
- Tap the paper airplane icon in the bottom right corner (it's under the comment icon).
- From the menu that appears, select 'Download'. The video will be saved directly to your phone's album or gallery.
Note: This method is only applicable to Reels that you have published yourself. If your Reel uses copyrighted music from the Instagram music library, the version saved to the device may not include the audio due to copyright protection. Additionally, you cannot directly download an unpublished Reel draft; although it can be saved during the creation process, it usually does not contain audio either.
Saving Others' Reels (if allowed)
Instagram also allows the download of others' Reels under certain conditions, but this is subject to strict permission restrictions. These conditions include:
- The account must be a public account. Reels from private accounts cannot be downloaded using this method.
- The creator must have enabled the download feature in their Reels settings. If this setting is turned off, the download option will not be visible.
- For public accounts of users under the age of 18, the default download setting for Reels is turned off, but they can turn it on manually at any time.
If the above conditions are met, the operation process is as follows:
- Find the public Reel you want to download.
- Click the share icon on the Reel (usually in the shape of a paper airplane).
- If the download option is available, you will see a 'Download' button, click on it. The Reel will be saved directly to your phone's album or gallery.
In-app bookmark saving feature
In addition to downloading to the device, Instagram also provides a 'Save' feature as a bookmark within the app.
- Find the Reel you want to save.
- Click on the three dots (...) on the Reel.
- Click 'Save'.
This method only saves the Reel to the 'Saved' folder within the Instagram app, similar to the bookmark feature. It does not save the video to your device's camera roll, and watching saved Reels still requires an internet connection.
Download Instagram Reel - Screen Recording Method
Screen recording is a universal method that works for almost any video content on your phone, including Instagram Reels. Most smartphones, both iOS and Android, have a built-in screen recorder.
To use this method, simply start your phone's screen recorder, then play the Instagram Reel you want to save. Once the Reel is finished, stop the recording. You can then trim the video to remove any unnecessary parts at the beginning or end.
This method gives you a copy of the Reel, but the downsides are obvious:
- Lower quality
- May capture unwanted UI elements
- No subtitle or audio sync control
- Not efficient for saving many Reels
It's a workaround—not a long-term solution. Especially if you're looking to download multiple Reels at once.
The Best Instagram Reel Downloader Options - Third-Party Tools
When official methods fall short, third-party Instagram Reel Downloader tools become invaluable. Third-party tools like Vsave provide the best Instagram reel downloader experience. Vsave offers ad-free, watermark-free HD/1080p MP4 downloads, no registration required.
This method is ideal if:
- You want to download multiple Reels quickly.
- You need HD format for future editing.
- You hate ads or registration walls.
Getting Started: Follow these simple steps to download Instagram Reels videos:
- Copy the Reel link: Tap the share icon on the Reel you want to download and select "Copy link."
- Open the downloader website: Go to the Vsave official website and download the desktop application as instructed.
- Paste the link: Open the Vsave app and paste the copied video link into the "Paste Link" field, or use the built-in browser to find your desired reel.
- Select quality and format: Choose HD (720p, 1080p, or 4K), preferred language (if available), and file type as needed.
- Download and save: Click the "Download" button. Vsave will quickly process and save the video to your device.
This advanced tools also support:
- Subtitle preservation
- Batch downloading
- Audio extraction
- Mobile and desktop compatibility
Download Instagram Reels in one click, no ads, no watermark. Supports HD 1080P/4K video batch download, audio extraction, subtitle preservation, and works on both mobile and desktop.
Download Vsave now and easily save Instagram Reels
Download Vsave now and easily save Instagram Reels
How to Use Downloaded Reels Effectively
Now that you've saved the video—what's next?
It's easy to let these files pile up in your camera roll. But with intention, your saved Reels can inspire your own content or even serve practical purposes.
- Build a Visual Inspiration Folder
Save your favorite edits, effects, and transitions as references. Great for content creators, marketers, and editors. - Practice Offline Tutorials
Dance routines, fitness tips, or language learning clips can be stored offline and replayed as needed. - Repurpose in Your Own Reels
Use downloaded Reels (with credit when required) as source material, reaction content, or editing samples. - Backup for Deleted Content
Sometimes creators delete Reels. Downloading ensures you never lose the content that inspired you. - Share Beyond Instagram
Downloaded Reels can be reused across other platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, or presentations.
Why an Instagram Reel Downloader Makes a Difference
Using the right Instagram reel downloader unlocks total flexibility. It frees you from Instagram's platform limitations, lets you organize your content library, and gives you control over what you save and how you use it.
Instead of relying on temporary bookmarks or low-quality screen grabs, use a tool like Vsave that gets you what you really want:
- HD instagram reel download
- instagram reel downloader no watermark
- Subtitle support
- Fast download speed
- No login or ads pop-ups
The process takes seconds—and the payoff lasts much longer.
Final Thoughts on Downloading Instagram Reels
Reels are made to be shared—but Instagram doesn't always make saving them easy. Whether you just want to keep a memory, practice a move, or reuse an effect, a dedicated Instagram reel downloader gives you the power to do more. Try different methods and see which works for you. But for full quality, no ads, and real control—go with a tool like Vsave designed for the job.