To save reels to your phone, you can use Instagram's built-in download feature for your own content or third-party tools for public Reels from other creators. The official method works for both published Reels and drafts, while downloader websites and apps handle public Reels by pasting a copied link.
How to save reels to your phone using the Instagram app
Saving your own Instagram Reels is the most straightforward method, as Instagram provides a direct download option for content you have created. This works for both Reels you have already published and those still in your drafts folder. Note that for your own Reels, an alternative menu path exists: you can also tap the three dots (...) and then 'Save' to save a Reel to your camera roll.
- Open the Instagram app and navigate to the Reel you want to save. If it is a published Reel, find it on your profile. If it is a draft, access your drafts folder.
- Tap "Next" in the bottom right corner of the screen. This action moves you toward the sharing and saving options.
- Look for the save or download option presented on the screen. Select the option that saves the Reel directly to your phone's camera roll.
- The Reel will now be stored in your phone's gallery or photo app, ready for offline viewing.
How to save reels with a third-party app
Third-party apps offer an alternative for downloading public Reels from other creators when you want more flexibility. Apps like Video Downloader for Instagram (available on Android) and InSaver (available on iOS) allow you to save Reels by copying and pasting the Reel's link. Many of these apps claim to save Reels in high quality and without watermarks, which can be useful if you are using Twitch on mobile and want a similar offline experience for short-form content.
- Install a reputable third-party app from your device's app store.
- Open Instagram and find the public Reel you want to save. Tap the three dots (…) in the top right corner of the Reel and select "Copy Link."
- Open the third-party app and paste the copied link into the designated area.
- Select the desired download options and confirm the download. The Reel will be saved to your phone's storage.
How to save reels using online downloader websites
Online downloader websites let you save public Reels without installing any additional apps. Websites such as SnapInsta.to, SaveKit.io, and IGExport work by pasting a Reel's link into their interface, which then processes the download directly to your phone storage.
- Open your preferred web browser on your phone and navigate to a reliable Instagram downloader website.
- Open Instagram, find the public Reel you want to save, tap the three dots (…), and select "Copy Link."
- Return to the downloader website and paste the copied link into the provided field.
- Tap the download or save button on the website. The Reel will download and be saved to your phone, accessible for offline viewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Instagram account to save reels to my phone?
Yes, you need an Instagram account to save Reels. The download feature is only available within the Instagram app, so you must be signed in to access and download Reels.
Can I save reels from private accounts?
No, you can only save Reels made by public accounts. If an account is private, its Reels cannot be downloaded through any official or third-party method.
What if the download arrow icon is missing on a reel?
The creator of the Reel may have disabled downloads for that specific video. When downloads are restricted, the download arrow icon, which normally appears on the bottom-right corner of the Reel, will not appear, and you cannot save that Reel.
Can I save reels from other users to my phone?
Yes, you can save Reels from other users as long as the creator has allowed downloads. If the download option is enabled, you can save their Reel using the same steps for saving your own content.
