TapSaveReels

Download Instagram Reels on iPhone

Paste a Instagram link below, then follow the steps to save the video to Photos.

iPhone can save Instagram videos without any app. Safari downloads the MP4 to the Files app, and from there you move it to Photos in two taps. The steps below work on any iPhone or iPad with iOS 13 or later.

How to Download Instagram Reels on iPhone

Instagram post on iPhone with the share sheet open and Copy link selected
Instagram link pasted into the downloader in Safari on iPhone
Files app on iPhone showing the downloaded video in Downloads

  1. Copy the link

    In the Instagram app, tap the Share icon under the post or Reel, then Copy link.

  2. Paste it in Safari

    Open this page in Safari, paste the link in the box above and tap Download.

  3. Pick a quality

    Tap the MP4 size you want. If Safari asks, tap Download. A blue arrow appears in the address bar while it saves.

  4. Open the Files app

    Go to Browse, then Downloads. The video is at the top of the list.

  5. Save it to Photos

    Tap the video, tap Share, then Save Video. It now shows up in your Photos app.

Tips

  • Use Safari. Browsers opened inside other apps, like the Instagram app itself, often block downloads.
  • If the video starts playing instead of downloading, tap Share in the player and choose Save to Files.
  • To change where downloads go, open Settings, then Safari (Settings, Apps, Safari on newer iOS), then Downloads.
  • For carousels, each photo and video in the post gets its own download button.

Questions

Why does the video play instead of downloading?

You are probably in an in-app browser or on iOS 12 or earlier. Open this page in Safari on iOS 13 or later.

Can I save the video straight to Photos?

Safari always saves to the Files app first. From Files, tap Share and Save Video to move it to Photos.

Does this work on iPad?

Yes. The steps are the same on iPad with iPadOS 13 or later.

Guides by device

Other Instagram tools