Instagram Reels has quickly become one of the hottest new social media marketing tools for brands and influencers. The TikTok-like vertical video feature makes it easy to create fun and engaging short video content.
But there’s one big problem – you can’t download Instagram Reels like you can download an Instagram photo or video post. So how do you save or download Instagram Reels to reuse the content?
In this complete guide, you’ll learn several methods for downloading Instagram Reels with audio on both iPhone and Android. Plus, get tips for repurposing Reels content to maximize your social media marketing results.
What are Instagram Reels and Why Should You Use It?
In case you’re not already familiar, Instagram Reels is a feature that lets users create 15-to 90-second vertical videos set to audio. The videos appear in a separate Reels feed and in the Stories feed of people who follow you.
Reels offer a fun way for creators to make short-form, entertaining video content. And the potential to be discovered by new audiences, since Reels also appear in the Explore feed.
For social media marketers, Reels can help:
- Increase Instagram engagement and followers
- Show off products or services in a new format
- Build awareness and connections with a wider audience
- Entertain and engage your existing followers
As Reels continues to grow in popularity, it’s a great opportunity to start creating vertical video content optimized for mobile users.
But since you can’t save Reels like regular Instagram posts, you need a workaround to download and repurpose the content.
Why Download Instagram Reels?
Before jumping into the how-to, let’s look at some of the top reasons you may want to download Reels:
- Save favorite Reels – Whether it’s a hilarious comedy sketch or a helpful tutorial, downloading allows you to keep Reels you love so you can rewatch them anytime.
- Share outside of Instagram – Downloading makes it easy to share Reels with friends on other platforms like messaging apps.
- Repurpose content – Creators can reuse their Reels content across multiple platforms like TikTok and YouTube to expand their reach.
- Offline viewing – Downloading allows you to watch Reels without an internet connection. Great for trips, commutes, or other times you’ll be offline.
- Make comps and remixes – Downloading gives creators an easy way to experiment with mixing and remixing content.
So if you want to save, edit, share, or remix Reels, downloading them to your device is the way to go.
How to Save or Download Instagram Reels Using Instagram’s Built-In Feature
The easiest way to download Reels is directly within the Instagram app using the platform’s built-in download feature. Here’s how it works:
- Open the Instagram app and locate the Reel you want to download on your feed or by visiting the creator’s profile.
2. Tap the three dots “…” in the bottom right corner of the Reel.
3. Select “Save” or “Download” from the menu that pops up.
The Reel will now be saved. To access the saved reel, go back to the Instagram home screen and tap your profile icon > the hamburger menu icon > Settings > Account > Saved. Here you’ll find your saved videos in the All Posts folder.
This feature provides the most seamless downloading experience. However, it’s important to note that not all Reels have downloading enabled. Creators have the option to disable it if they don’t want their content downloaded.
So before trying to save a Reel, check that the three-dot menu shows the “Save” or “Download” option. If not, you’ll need to use one of the alternative downloading methods covered next.
6 Easy Steps to Download Instagram Reels on Android Phone
To download Reels on an Android device, you’ll need to use a third-party app.
Here are step-by-step instructions using the free app “Video Downloader for Instagram”:
- Search for “Video Downloader for Instagram” in the Google Play Store and install it.
2. Open the Video Downloader app and grant the required permissions.
3. In the Instagram app, open the Reel you want to save and tap the three dots.
4. Select Copy Link.
5. The Video Downloader will automatically paste the link you copied.
6. Tap on the Reel to download it and save it to your camera roll.
This makes it easy to download any public Instagram Reel while keeping both the video and original audio.
Also Read: How to boost your Instagram followers organically?
6 Easy Steps to Download Instagram Reels on iPhone
To download Reels on an iPhone, you’ll also need a third-party app. One good option is “InSaver – Repost for Instagram”.
Follow these steps to use InSaver:
- Install InSaver app from the App Store.
- Open it and grant access to your photos and videos.
- In the Instagram app, tap the three dots on a Reel and select Copy Link.
- In InSaver, paste the link in the search bar.
- Tap Watch It > Options > Save Video.
- The Reel will be saved to your camera roll with the audio intact.
Just like the Android option, this iPhone app provides an easy way to download any public Reels video.
Download Instagram Reels via Recording Your Screen
If the built-in download feature isn’t available for the Reel you want, your second-best option is to record your screen as the video plays.
Here are the steps to download Reels by screen recording:
On iPhone
- Locate the Reel you want to download on Instagram and start playing it.
- Swipe down from the top right corner to access Control Center and tap the Screen Recording icon (it looks like a circle inside a larger circle).
- Let the Reel finish playing while your screen is recorded. Make sure not to have any other apps open.
- Stop the recording by tapping the red bar at the top and then tapping “Stop.”
- The screen recording will be automatically saved to your Photos app. Trim it as needed so you just have the Reel itself without any extra time before or after.
On Android
- Locate the Reel you want and start playing it.
- Open your screen recorder app and start recording your screen. If your Android doesn’t have a built-in recorder, download a free app like AZ Screen Recorder.
- Let the Reel finish playing while recording.
- Stop the recording and it will be saved to your gallery. Trim off any excess footage before and after the Reel.
While this method captures the original audio and visuals, the quality may not be as high as directly downloading from Instagram. But it’s a handy alternative when the download feature isn’t available.
How to download Instagram Reels on a desktop
If you want to edit or color correct Instagram Reels with professional software, downloading them directly to a desktop is best.
Mac and PC users have several options for downloading Reels videos to their computer. Third-party apps make it easy to save Reels with just a few clicks.
Some top choices for downloading Instagram Reels on the desktop include:
Also Read: How To Customize Text with Instagram Fonts Generator
5 Pro Tips for Downloading Instagram Reels
To recap, here are 5 expert tips to follow when downloading Reels:
- Check that the Reel has downloading enabled before trying to save it directly from Instagram. If not, use an alternative method.
- Be mindful that screen recordings may capture notifications or other elements on your screen unless you close all other apps.
- Use trusted third-party apps and read reviews to avoid privacy/security issues when granting account access.
- Respect creators’ intellectual property when sharing downloaded Reels. Don’t repost without permission.
- Downloaded Reels lose some visual quality. For best results, avoid further compression when saving or reposting.
Creative Ways to Use Downloaded Instagram Reels
Now that you know how to easily download Reels, what can you actually do with them? Here are some creative ways to make use of your downloaded Reels:
1. Create Compilation Videos
String multiple Reels together to create compilation-style videos centered around themes like food, comedy, motivation, etc. Compilations are an engaging video format that performs well on YouTube and other platforms.
2. Remix and Duet
Add your own unique spin by downloading Reels and remixing or duetting them with added effects, captions, graphics and more. This allows you to put your creative touch on trending Reels.
3. Make Reel Reactions and Reviews
Film yourself reacting to hilarious, cringe-worthy or informational Reels. Reel reaction and review videos can make fun, engaging content for your own audience.
4. Repurpose for Other Platforms
Reuse your Reels content across platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Snapchat to maximize your reach. Repurposing content saves production time while expanding your audience.
5. Compile Personal Favorite Playlists
Download your favorite Reels into categorized playlists to revisit whenever you need a laugh or a mood boost. Tailor playlists to your taste.
6. Use for Promos and Ads
Recycle eye-catching Reels as promotional clips, ads or pre-roll videos. Quickly capture viewers’ attention with recognizable viral content.
7. Add to Video Presentations
Enhance slideshow presentations and educational videos by inserting relevant Reels. They add a lively visual element to otherwise static content.
8. Make Memes and GIFs
Turn particularly funny or reaction-worthy moments from Reels into memes and GIFs that you can easily share online or on messaging platforms.
As you can see, with a little creativity you can do a whole lot with downloaded Reels besides just rewatching them! Reuse trending Reels to make engaging videos for your audience.
Also Read: Top 10 Photo Editing Apps that can make your pictures Instagram-worthy
The Future of Downloading Instagram Reels
When Reels first launched in 2020, there was no built-in way to save them at all. Over the years, Instagram has steadily added and improved features to allow downloading Reels as their popularity has exploded.
We can expect Instagram to continue refining and expanding tools for users to download, edit, and share Reels. More accessibility and integration with editing software means more creativity and engagement on the platform.
For creators hoping to maximize their reach beyond Instagram, easy downloading tools are a must-have. As competition heats up with TikTok and YouTube Shorts, expect Reels downloading capabilities to only get better over time.
Conclusion
Thanks to Instagram’s built-in features and handy third-party apps, downloading Reels is simple and straightforward. With the knowledge from this guide, you can easily save entertaining or helpful Reels to rewatch anytime and repurpose across multiple platforms.
Just be sure to use trusted apps, give proper credit if reposting others’ content, and get creative with how you reuse downloaded Reels.
Now that you know how to save Reels you love or want to remix, it’s time to capitalize on this popular content format and engage your followers on Instagram and beyond!
Frequently Asked Questions About Downloading Instagram Reels
Here are answers to some common questions about saving Instagram Reels:
Q1. Can I download public Reels posted by other creators?
Yes, you can download public Reels as long as the creator has the download option enabled. Reels posted on private accounts can’t be downloaded.
Q2. What are the risks of using third-party downloader apps?
Granting downloader apps access to your Instagram account can put your data and privacy at risk. Only use reputable apps with positive reviews and be wary of scams.
Q3. What happens when I download and repost Reels?
The Instagram watermark gets removed when downloading Reels. Be sure to only reuse content you created or have permission to use. Give proper credit to creators.
Q4. Why does my downloaded Reel lose some video quality?
Compression occurs when downloading and re-uploading video, so some quality loss is expected. Avoid applying additional compression when reusing downloaded Reels.
Q5. Can I download Reels on my desktop computer?
It’s not possible to directly download Reels on a desktop, but you can use screen recording or a third-party website-based Downloader. Save the Reels to your computer once downloaded.
Q6. How do I download Instagram Reels to my gallery?
Here are a few easy ways to download Instagram Reels to your phone’s gallery:
Use a Third-Party App (Android and iPhone)
Install an app like Video Downloader for Instagram (Android) or InSaver (iPhone). These apps allow you to paste the link to a Reel and download it directly to your gallery. The audio will stay intact.
Screen Record (Android and iPhone)
Use your phone’s built-in screen recording feature (Control Center on iPhone) to manually record Reels. Start recording, play the Reel with audio, stop recording, and the video will save to your gallery.
Use the Kapwing Website
Go to Kapwing.com, paste the link to the Reel, and export the video. You can download Reels videos here without a watermark by creating a free account.
Save Within Instagram
You can save your own Reels to your gallery within the Instagram app, but the audio will be removed. Tap the 3 dots, Save, and find it in your Saved folder.
The best way to download Reels with audio is using a third-party app or Kapwing. This gives you the most flexibility to edit and reuse the content later.
