How to download Instagram Reels without any tools
September 24, 20243 Mins Read
Science and Technology Desk: Once downloaded, the reel video can be found in the phone's gallery, from there you can share the reel with friends through various apps.

Instagram Reels

Sometimes you may need to save some Instagram reels on your phone. The download option may also be needed for later viewing or to share the reel with a friend who does not use Instagram.

Previously, downloading a reel from Instagram had to be done through a third-party website or app. And in most cases these third-party tools are full of ads, scams and even viruses.

However, Instagram recently added an in-built option to the app to download reels, reports tech site How-To Geek. As a result, users can now download Instagram Reels on smartphones without using any tools outside the app.

To do this, first launch the reel video you want to download. Then click on the 'Share' icon and choose the 'Download' option from the pop-up menu.

The Instagram reel will start downloading. Depending on the length and quality of the reel, it may take some time to download. Once downloaded, the reel video can be found in the phone's gallery, from there you can share the reel with friends through various apps.

Why are some reels not downloading?

Even if one follows all the above steps, sometimes one may not get the download option in some reels videos. This is usually the case for reels uploaded from private accounts. That is, if someone's Instagram account is private, the video followers of that account will not be able to download it even if they can see it.

In addition, Instagram has a setting that also prevents downloading of videos uploaded from 'Public Accounts'.

To enable this setting on your profile, go to your Instagram profile and tap on the three dots icon in the top right corner and open the menu. Then select the 'Settings and Privacy' option. From there click on 'Sharing and Remixes' option. On the next page, you can change the setting by turning the toggle next to the 'Allow People to Download Your Reels' option on or off.

If this setting is enabled for a public account, the reel video of that account cannot be downloaded.

Also, download option may not appear at times due to app 'glitches', 'bugs' or problems. If so, make sure the Instagram app is updated.

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However, note that downloaded reels will contain the username that uploaded or created the video. How-To Geek reports that this is a good move by Instagram. This way, everyone to whom the reel is going will know the maker's name, and he will also get credit for his work.