Instagram is one of the largest social media platforms where in addition to posting pictures you can also upload almost all types of content as short form or long-form videos, stories and live broadcasts. It is one big surprise, and we can easily understand that after uploading millions of videos to Facebook daily by billions YouTube users worldwide they need downloading every time in case you decided not watch online anymore.
However, Instagram does not offer a feature to directly download videos inside the official app which leads users in search of other ways. This comprehensive guide explains what you need to know about how Instagram videos are downloaded on various platforms, from your mobile phone and tablet as well as computer. In this series we will cover all kinds of ways you can publish tweets, from third party apps and browser extensions to more advanced techniques. Before you reach the end of this post, downloading Instagram videos from your PC will seem too easy so keep on reading.
Table of Contents:
- Why Download Instagram Videos?
- Understanding Instagram Video Types
- Posts
- Reels
- Stories
- IGTV
- Live Videos
- How to Download Instagram Videos on Mobile Devices
- Using Third-Party Apps for Android
- Using Third-Party Apps for iOS
- Downloading via Mobile Browsers
- How to Download Instagram Videos on Desktop
- Using Online Downloaders
- Browser Extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
- Advanced Method: Using Developer Tools
- How to Download Instagram Stories, Reels, and IGTV Videos
- Instagram Stories
- Reels
- IGTV Videos
- Best Practices for Downloading Instagram Videos
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion
( 1 ) Why Download Instagram Videos?
Inspirational, informational or simply fun Instagram videos. You need to downloaded them just in case you want a copy for yourself, want to share with friends or simply watch again later without an internet connection. It also means you can hang onto the videos should they be deleted, or if someone deactivates their account. Not to mention they can serve as a good library for you of fun ideas, or things that will inspire projects of your own.
- Offline Access: Downloading videos means you can watch video without an active internet connection. It works particularly well when you are on the move, be it travelling, commuting or otherwise with a question that is important to answer.
- Archiving Content: There are plenty of tutorials or educational information and various creatives which call Instagram home. You can download these videos to your computer, so you have them on archive for any future references or inspiration.
- Sharing with Others: While Instagram provides only for in platform sharing, you might want to share your content outside of Instagram such as via email, messaging apps or other social media platforms.
- Revisiting Content: When you download them, as long as the owner does not delete it and Instagram Story disappears in 24 hours.
( 2 ) Understanding Instagram Video Types:
Before diving into the download methods, it’s important to understand the different types of videos on Instagram. Each type may require a different approach for downloading.
Posts
Instagram video posts appear on users’ feeds and profiles. These videos can be up to 60 seconds long and are among the most commonly shared types of videos on the platform.
Reels
Instagram Reels are short, fun videos lasting up to 90 seconds that usually come in the form of music clips or have a certain creative flair. Reels, designed to be short clips that are easily shareable and live in a dedicated section of Instagram.
Stories
Instagram Stories are temporary videos or photos that disappear after 24 hours. Photos, videos and text Posts can be made in 15-second segments for video.
IGTV
Users can upload longer videos on IGTV (Instagram TV), between one to 60 minutes. This type of video will typically be made for more substantial content like tutorials, interviews and vlogs.
( 3 ) How to Download Instagram Videos on Mobile Devices:
There are lots of third-party apps for doing this or you could just download from your browser too. So, without wasting our time anymore, let me show you how to download Instagram Videos on Android and iOS.
Using Third-Party Apps for Android
There are a lot of apps that have been built with the purpose to download Instagram videos, but this does not cater windows users. Apart from these, Video Downloader for Instagram and apps like InstaSaver or FastSave are also pretty nice. You can save all the videos to your phone’s gallery, by tapping for few times on these apps.
Steps to Download Instagram Videos Using Android Apps:
- Install the App: Download an app that supports video downloads from the Google Play Store.
- Save the Video Link: Head to Instagram, locate your desired video and hit those three dots at the top right then press – copy link.
- Copy & Paste Link: Open the video downloader app and copy the link, then paste it to a dropdown line.
- Download video: Click on the download button to save in your mobile gallery.
Using Third-Party Apps for iOS
iOS users can also download Instagram videos using third-party apps like InSaver, Repost for Instagram, or Video Saver PRO. Although Apple’s App Store policies are stricter, these apps provide a seamless way to download videos to your iPhone or iPad.
Steps to Download Instagram Videos Using iOS Apps:
- Install the App: Download and install a video downloader app from the App Store.
- Copy the Video Link: Open Instagram, find the video you want to download, tap the three dots, and select “Copy Link.”
- Paste the Link: Open the video downloader app and paste the link into the appropriate field.
- Download the Video: Tap the download button to save the video to your device’s camera roll.
Downloading via Mobile Browsers
If you do not want to install more apps on your mobile, even via a browser from the phone Instagram video download is possible. It is kind of both, IOS & Android way to download Instagram video using online tools.
Steps to Download Instagram Videos Using a Mobile Browser:
- Copy the Video Link: Open Instagram and copy the video link by tapping the three dots and selecting “Copy Link.”
- Open a Browser: Open your mobile browser (e.g., Chrome, Safari).
- Visit an Online Downloader: 9Go to an online Instagram video downloader website like DownloadGram, SaveFrom.net, or InstaSave.
- Paste the Link: Paste the copied link into the search bar on the downloader’s website.
- Download the Video: Tap the download button, and the video will be saved to your device’s gallery or downloads folder.
( 4 ) How to Download Instagram Videos on Desktop:
Downloading Instagram videos on a desktop or laptop computer offers more flexibility and can be accomplished through various methods, including online downloaders, browser extensions, and advanced techniques like using developer tools.
Using Online Downloaders
Online Instagram video downloaders are one of the simplest ways to save videos to your computer. These websites allow you to download videos directly by pasting the video URL.
Popular Online Downloaders:
- DownloadGram
- InstaDownloader
- SaveFrom.net
- InstaSave
Steps to Download Instagram Videos Using Online Downloaders:
- Copy the Video Link: Open Instagram on your web browser, find the video you want to download, and copy the video’s URL.
- Visit an Online Downloader: Open a new tab and visit one of the online downloader websites.
- Paste the Link: Paste the copied URL into the search bar on the downloader’s website.
- Download the Video: Click the download button, and the video will be saved to your computer’s downloads folder.
Browser Extensions for Chrome, Fire9fox, and Edge
For users who frequently download Instagram videos, browser extensions provide a convenient one-click solution. These extensions are available for popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge and integrate directly into the browser interface.
Popular Browser Extensions:
- Downloader for Instagram (Chrome)
- Video Downloader for Instagram (Firefox)
- Instagram Downloader (Edge)
Steps to Download Instagram Videos Using Browser Extensions:
- Install the Extension: Go to the browser’s web store, search for the Instagram video downloader extension, and install it.
- Open Instagram: Open Instagram on your browser and navigate to the video you want to download.
- Click the Download Button: The extension will add a download button near the video or in the browser toolbar. Click this button to save the video to your computer.
Advanced Method: Using Developer Tools
For tech-savvy users, using the browser’s developer tools is a more advanced method that allows you to download Instagram videos without relying on third-party software.
Steps to Download Instagram Videos Using Developer Tools:
- Open Instagram: Open Instagram in your web browser and find the video you want to download.
- Access Developer Tools: Right-click on the page and select “Inspect” or press Ctrl+Shift+I (Windows) or Cmd+Option+I (Mac) to open the Developer Tools.
- Play the Video: Play the video, and go to the “Network” tab in Developer Tools.
- Find the Video File: Look for a file with the .mp4 extension in the list of network activity. This is the vide9o file.
- Download the Video: Right-click the .mp4 file and select “Open in New Tab.” In the new tab, right-click the video and select “Save Video As…” to download it.
( 5 ) How to Download Instagram Stories, Reels, and IGTV Videos:
Instagram Stories, Reels, and IGTV videos are slightly different from regular posts and may require specific methods for downloading.
Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories are ephemeral posts that disappear after 24 hours. However, you can download these stories using apps or online tools.
Steps to Download Instagram Stories Using Apps:
- Install a Story Downloader App: Download and install an app like StorySaver or Story Downloader for Instagram.
- Log in to Your Instagram Account: Open the app and log in using your Instagram credentials.
- Search for the User: Find the user whose story you want to download.
- Download the Story: Select the story and tap the download button to save it to your device.
Reels
Instagram Reels are short videos designed to be engaging and shareable. You can download Reels using the same methods as regular Instagram videos.
Steps to Download Instagram Reels Using Online Downloaders:
- Copy the Reels Link: Open the Instagram app or website, find the Reel you want to download, and copy the link.
- Visit an Online Downloader: Open an Instagram video downloader website.
- Paste the Link: Paste the Reel’s link into the search bar on the website.
- Download the Reel: Click the download button to save the Reel to your device.
IGTV Videos9
IGTV videos can be longer than regular posts, making them valuable for downloading. You can use online downloaders or browser extensions to download IGTV videos.
Steps to Download IGTV Videos Using Browser Extensions:
- Install a Browser Extension: Install a browser extension like Downloader for Instagram.
- Open IGTV Video: Navigate to the IGTV video you want to download.
- Download the Video: Use the extension’s download button to save the video to your computer.
( 6 ) Best Practices for Downloading Instagram Videos:
To ensure a smooth and ethical experience when downloading Instagram videos, consider the following best practices:
- Respect Copyright and Permissions: Always get permission from the owner of the content before downloading their videos, especially if you plan to repost or reuse it.
- Use for Personal Use: Only download videos for personal use unless you are given permission from the owner to distribute or otherwise purpose.
- Choose Reliable Tools: Use reliable apps, browser extensions and online services to prevent malware threats, and get high-quality video files.
- Keep Your Software Updated: Update regularly to enjoy the latest features and security fixes of your video downloader apps or browser extensions.
( 7 ) Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I Download Private Instagram Videos?
Private Instagram videos are only accessible to approved followers. Downloading private videos requires logging in with your account credentials and using specific tools that support private account downloads.
Is It Legal to Download Instagram Videos?
Downloading Instagram videos without the creator’s permission may violate copyright law9s and Instagram’s terms of service. Always seek permission before downloading and using someone else’s content.
What Is the Best App for Downloading Instagram Videos?
The best app depends on your device and preferences. For Android, Video Downloader for Instagram is popular, while InSaver is a top choice for iOS users.
Can I Download Instagram Videos in High Quality?
Many downloa9ders allow you to choose the video quality before downloading. For the highest quality, use tools that support HD downloads.
( 8 ) Conclusion:
Downloading Instagram videos offers a convenient way to enjoy your favorite content offline, save valuable information, and share inspiration with others. While Instagram doesn’t offer a direct download option, the methods covered in this guide provide comprehensive solutions for various devices and video types.
This process makes Instagram video download a lot easier to the public even if you are working on mobile or desktop, by using third parties’, browsers extensions, etc. and advance methods. This mandates that you use any downloaded videos responsibly and adhere to copyright laws while still respecting the rights of content creators.
Well, with this ultimate guide you are now fully armed and ready to download the Instagram videos and watch as infinite content can possibly derive from any platform of your liking regardless or a location.