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Instagram Reels are everywhere. Whether it’s a viral trend, a fun tutorial, or just a moment that caught your eye, Reels are packed with creativity and inspiration. But what if you want to save that perfect Reel for later—whether to share with friends, keep for reference, or watch again offline? Or maybe you're a business or content creator looking to showcase these Reels on your website?
In this guide, we’ll show you how to easily download Instagram Reels to your device. And if you want a smarter way to showcase Reels on your site—without the hassle of downloading—we’ll introduce Clipara. It's a no-code tool that lets you seamlessly pull Instagram Reels directly onto your website, with easy-to-embed carousels and grids, making your content look modern and engaging.
Take a look at how Instagram Reels can appear in a dynamic carousel on your website using Clipara:
Instagram Reels are short, vertical videos, up to 90 seconds long, that are perfect for sharing fast-paced, creative content. Much like TikTok, Instagram Reels allow users to incorporate music, effects, and unique edits to make their videos stand out. Whether you’re watching viral trends, discovering educational content, or enjoying behind-the-scenes moments, Reels offer a fun and dynamic way to explore and engage with what's trending on the platform.
To give you an idea of just how engaging these Reels can be, check out this example from user @aksalterphotos, using the I Love Your Daughter trend in November 2024. With 18.9K uses on Instagram and even more variations on TikTok with over 200K uses, this trend shows just how viral and captivating Reels can be. You can hear the audio here.
This bite-sized video is the type of content that draws in viewers.
There are a few reasons you might want to download Instagram Reels:
While Instagram doesn’t offer a native download button for Reels (unless it's your own content), there are several methods to save your favorite Reels. Here’s how you can do it:
If you want to download your own Instagram Reels, Instagram offers a straightforward option, but note that this feature is available only on mobile devices.
Step 1: Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
Step 2: Tap on the Reels tab to view your uploaded Reels.
Step 3: Select the Reel you want to download.
Step 4: Tap the share icon (the paper airplane) below the Reel. Then, swipe through the options at the bottom and tap Download.
Your Reel will be saved directly to your device’s gallery or camera roll for offline use.
Note: This method is only available for your own Reels, and it can only be done using the Instagram app on mobile devices.
Online downloaders make it simple to grab Instagram Reels by just pasting the video URL. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open Instagram and find the Reel you want to download.
Step 2: Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the post and select Copy Link.
Step 3: Go to a trusted online downloader like InstaDownloader or Publer. These sites are user-friendly and require no installation. For this example, we’ll be using Publer.
Step 4: Paste the copied link into the downloader’s input box and press Download.
Step 5: Click on Save to your device and the Reel will be saved to your device!
Note: Only use reputable sites to avoid any risks related to malware. As always, give credit to the creator if you plan to share or repost the downloaded content.
While this method doesn't technically download the video, it allows you to save it within the app for easy access later.
On Mobile
Step 1: Find the Reel you want to save in the app.
Step 2: Tap the bookmark icon below the Reel (next to the like and comment buttons).
If you're viewing the Reel in full-screen mode, you can also tap the ellipsis icon (three dots) and then select the bookmark icon.
Step 3 (optional): To organise your saved Reels, you can add them to a Collection. After tapping the bookmark icon, select Save to Collection and choose an existing collection or create a new one.
Step 4: To view your saved Reels, go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then select Saved. Your collections will appear here for easy browsing.
On Web
Step 1: Find the Reel you want to save.
Step 2: Click the bookmark icon below the Reel.
Step 3: To access your saved Reels on the web, navigate to your profile, click the Saved section in the left sidebar, and find your saved Reels.
Note: This method is ideal if you want to save content for later viewing within Instagram but doesn’t allow for offline access or use outside the app.
If you’re looking for a simple, no-fuss method, you can screen record the Reel on your phone or computer.
Step 1: Find the Reel you want to download.
Step 2: Start the screen recording on your device.
Step 3: Once the recording has started, play the Instagram Reel you want to capture. Make sure to let the video play fully for the best results.
Step 4: When you’ve finished recording, stop the screen recording by tapping the screen recording icon again. The video will automatically save to your device’s gallery or camera roll. You can find them in your most recents or under Screen Recordings.
Step 5: Open the recorded video in your gallery, and trim any unwanted parts (such as the status bar or excess footage) to save just the Reel itself.
Note: This method gives you a video of the Reel, but keep in mind that it might include your device’s status bar (like battery percentage or time) and could have slightly lower video quality compared to direct downloads. However, it's still a great option for quickly saving content when other methods aren't available.
If you want a hassle-free way to save Instagram Reels without the need for screen recording or online downloaders, using a third-party app can be a great solution. These apps let you easily download Reels with no need for trimming or extra steps. Here are some popular options for both iOS and Android:
While the steps may vary slightly between apps, the process is generally simple: just copy the link to the Reel, paste it into the app, and hit the Download button.
Using these third-party apps is a quick and easy way to download Instagram Reels without the hassle of trimming or worrying about video quality. It’s a seamless method for saving Reels directly to your device.
Bonus: Some of these apps can also download Instagram Stories, so you can capture all types of Instagram content!
When downloading Instagram Reels, keep these best practices in mind:
For those interested in embedding content directly, Clipara offers an effortless way to integrate Instagram Reels into your website without downloading.
Start using Clipara for free and create video experiences that delight your customers.
Get started freeWith Clipara, you don’t need to download your favorite Reels! Instead, easily pull content directly from Instagram to display it beautifully on your website. Here's how Clipara makes it easier than ever to elevate your video content:
Pulling videos from Instagram using Clipara is simple! Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Sign up for a Clipara account or log in if you already have one.
Once logged in, head to the Videos section in your Clipara dashboard, where you can add and manage video content from various platforms.
Select Add Video.
Navigate to the integrations section and toggle the Instagram integration.
For your own content: Connect your Instagram account to pull your Reels automatically.
For Reels from others: Copy the link of the Instagram Reel you want to feature, paste it into the provided field, and click Upload.
To ensure your video aligns with your content strategy, rename it appropriately. Then, hit Save.
Before finalising, you can change the thumbnail to something that fits your brand aesthetic. Select a thumbnail from the video or add a custom one.
After customising, make sure to save your changes. Your Instagram Reel is now integrated into your Clipara library!
This straightforward process allows you to display engaging video content on your site without the hassle of downloading files.
Now that you've uploaded your videos, take advantage of Clipara’s features to create compelling campaigns using carousels, shoppable videos, or engaging stories. If you want to learn how to embed Instagram Reels on your website, check out this quick guide.
Downloading and embedding Instagram Reels has never been easier! Whether you want to save content for offline viewing or create a seamless website experience, there are options that fit every need. And if you’re ready to go beyond downloads and showcase Instagram Reels on your site effortlessly, give Clipara a try—it’s a powerful, user-friendly tool designed to make embedded video content shine.
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