To download Instagram Reels, copy the Reel's link from Instagram, paste it into The Reels Downloader, press Download and then tap Download MP4. The video saves to your phone or computer as a normal MP4 file with sound.
That is the whole method, and it is the same on every device. What changes is where the file ends up and a couple of taps along the way. Below you will find the steps for Android, iPhone and PC, plus what to do when a Reel refuses to save.
You do not need an Instagram login, an app or an account with us. The tool only works with Reels from public accounts.
First, copy the Reel link
Every method starts with the link. Here is how to get it.
In the Instagram app. Open the Reel. Tap the paper plane icon on the right side, then tap Copy link. You will see a small message that it was copied.
On a computer. Open the Reel on instagram.com. Click the paper plane icon and choose Copy link, or just copy the address from the browser bar.
A good link looks like instagram.com/reel/ followed by a code of letters and numbers. Links with /p/ or /tv/ also work. Extra bits at the end, such as ?igsh=, are fine to leave in.
How to download Instagram Reels on Android
Chrome works best, but Samsung Internet and other browsers are fine too.
- Copy the Reel link in the Instagram app.
- Open Chrome and go to the Reels downloader on our home page.
- Tap Paste inside the box, or long-press and paste.
- Press Download. It shows Resolving… for a moment.
- When the card says Ready to download, tap Download MP4.
- Chrome shows a download bar at the bottom. Tap Open to play the video.
The file goes to the Download folder. Open the Files app (or My Files on Samsung) and tap Downloads. It also shows up in Gallery or Google Photos, usually under a Downloads album, within a few seconds.
How to download Reels on iPhone
Use Safari, which comes with every iPhone. Chrome on iPhone works the same way.
- In Instagram, tap the paper plane icon on the Reel and choose Copy link.
- Open Safari and go to our home page.
- Tap the box, then tap Paste.
- Press Download and wait for Ready to download.
- Tap Download MP4. If Safari asks, tap Download again.
Safari does not put videos in Photos on its own. It saves them in the Files app, under Downloads. To move the Reel to your camera roll, open it in Files, tap the share icon and choose Save Video.
If the tap opens the video in a new tab instead of saving it, press and hold the Download MP4 button and choose Download Linked File.
Instagram Reels download on PC or Mac
On a laptop or desktop it is even simpler, since you can copy the link from the address bar.
- Open the Reel on instagram.com in Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.
- Copy the address at the top of the window.
- Open our home page in a new tab and paste the link with Ctrl+V (Cmd+V on Mac).
- Click Download, then Download MP4 on the card.
The MP4 goes to your Downloads folder. It plays in VLC, the Windows Media Player, QuickTime and every video editor we know of.
For a normal Instagram video post rather than a Reel, the Instagram video downloader works the same way.
What the downloaded Reel looks like
You get an MP4 file with the sound included, named after the Reel's code, for example reel-ABC123.mp4.
It is the same file Instagram plays to people who are not logged in. We do not re-encode it, add a logo or shrink it. The likes, comments and username you see in the app are not part of the video, so they are not in the file either.
The card also shows a preview you can play, the account name, the caption and the length. Want only the song? Tap MP3 audio on the same card, or use Instagram Reels to MP3.
For more on sharpness, see our Reels video quality explainer.
Fixes when a Reel will not download
"That does not look like a Reel link." You may have copied a profile or a Story link. Open the Reel itself, tap the paper plane icon and copy again.
"Could not reach that Reel." The account is private, the Reel was deleted, or Instagram is refusing requests for a while. Check that the Reel opens in a browser where you are logged out. If it does, wait a few minutes and try again.
The video opens but does not save. On iPhone, long-press Download MP4 and pick Download Linked File. On Android, check that Chrome is allowed to save files.
Cannot find the file. Look in Files > Downloads on iPhone and the Download folder on Android. Our post on where downloaded files go covers each path.
Stories and highlights. The Reels tool reads Reel and post links only, not Stories.
Download Reels the fair way
Save Reels for your own personal viewing, or when the Reel is yours or the creator has given you permission. Reposting someone else's Reel as your own can break Instagram's rules and copyright law.
If you want to share a Reel with a friend, sending the link is often the kinder option, since the creator still gets the view. Instagram's own rules are on the Instagram Help Centre.
The Reels Downloader is independent and has no link with Instagram or Meta.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I download Instagram Reels without an app?
Copy the Reel link from Instagram, open our home page in your browser, paste the link and press Download. Then tap Download MP4. The browser saves the file directly, so there is nothing to install on Android, iPhone or a computer.
Do I need to log in to Instagram?
No. You only need the link. The tool never asks for your Instagram username or password. Because of that, it can only reach Reels from public accounts, the same ones anyone can watch without logging in.
Can I download Reels from a private account?
No. Private Reels are only visible to approved followers, and we do not use any login to get past that. If a friend has a private account, ask them to send you the video file directly.
Why is the downloaded Reel not in my iPhone gallery?
Safari saves downloads to the Files app, not to Photos. Open Files, go to Downloads and tap the video. Then tap the share icon and choose Save Video. After that it appears in Photos with your other clips.
Does the downloaded Reel have sound?
Yes. Download MP4 gives you the video with its sound in one file. If you only want the audio, tap MP3 audio on the same card instead. That saves the sound as a 192 kbps MP3 file.
Is downloading Instagram Reels legal?
Saving a public Reel for your own viewing is common, but the video still belongs to its creator. Do not repost it as your own or use it to make money without permission. Your own Reels, or ones the creator allows, are always fine.
What if the tool says it could not reach the Reel?
Check that the Reel is public and still online. Open the link in a browser where you are logged out of Instagram. If it plays there, Instagram may be limiting requests for a short time, so try again after a few minutes.