Instagram's Reels download button explained
Updated on October 18, 2026
Instagram itself lets you download some Reels. When the option exists, it shows up in the Reel’s share menu, and the video goes to your phone’s photo library. It has limits: it doesn’t show up on every Reel, it doesn’t work for photos, and the video comes with an Instagram watermark on top.
How to use Instagram’s button
- Open the Reel in the Instagram app.
- Tap the paper plane (Share).
- In the bottom row of options, tap Download.
- The video is saved to your phone’s photo library.
If you don’t see the option, swipe the row sideways. If it’s still not there, that Reel can’t be downloaded through the app.
When the button doesn’t show up
- The account is private. App downloads only exist for Reels from public accounts.
- The creator turned downloads off. Each creator decides, in their account settings, whether people can download their Reels.
- The post isn’t a Reel. Photos, carousels and older feed videos don’t have this option.
- Some music. On some Reels with licensed music, the app may not offer the download.
- Your app is out of date. Update Instagram and try again.
What you get
A video saved through the app has the Instagram logo and the creator’s @ on top of the picture. That helps credit the creator, but it gets in the way if you want to use the video in an edit, a class or a personal archive.
Instagram’s button or the site?
| Instagram’s button | PegaClip | |
|---|---|---|
| Reels from public accounts | Only if the creator allows it | Yes |
| Instagram watermark on top | Yes | No |
| Photos | No | Yes |
| Whole carousel | No | Yes, as a .zip |
| Audio only | No | Yes, as MP3 |
| Needs an Instagram account | Yes | No |
| On a computer | No | Yes |
Use Instagram’s button when it shows up and the watermark doesn’t bother you. Use the site for photos, carousels and audio, to download on a computer, or when you need the video without a watermark.
Respect the creator’s choice
When a creator turns downloads off, they’re saying they don’t want the video circulating outside Instagram. If you download it anyway, keep it to watching later or personal use, and don’t post it again. To repost someone else’s video, ask for permission and give credit. Content owners can ask for their content to be blocked here through the removal page.
For creators: turning downloads on or off
In your account settings, look for the sharing and remixes section and the option that lets people download your Reels. The names vary a little between app versions. Turning it off applies to Instagram’s button; it doesn’t stop someone from recording their screen.
FAQ
Does Instagram’s button work for Stories?
No. It’s only for Reels.
The button disappeared from a Reel that used to allow downloads.
The creator may have turned downloads off after posting, or the Reel may use music that doesn’t allow downloads. It’s the creator’s call.
Why does the site give you the video without the watermark?
Because it downloads the same video file Instagram uses to play the Reel. The watermark is only added when the app creates its own copy for download.