How to Save Instagram Reels to Your Gallery (iPhone & Android)
Instagram only lets you bookmark Reels. Here's how to save a public Reel as a real HD video in your iPhone Photos or Android Gallery, without any app.
Tapping the bookmark icon on a Reel only saves it inside Instagram. If the Reel gets deleted, or you're offline, it's gone. To keep a real copy in your Photos or Gallery, download it as an MP4.
The quick version
- On the Reel, tap Share (paper plane) → Copy link.
- Open the Instagram Reels Downloader and paste the link.
- Pick 1080p (or a smaller size) and tap Save.
- Move it to your gallery (see below for your phone).
iPhone: from Files to Photos
Safari saves downloads to the Files app, not Photos. To move it:
- Tap the download arrow (⬇) in Safari's address bar and open the video.
- Tap Share → Save Video.
The Reel now sits in your Photos app with sound, ready to watch or edit.
Android: it's already in your Gallery
Chrome saves MP4 files to Downloads, and Google Photos and most gallery apps pick them up automatically. If you don't see it, open Files → Downloads.
Which quality should I pick?
| Quality | Best for | Approx. size (30 s Reel) |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p | Re-watching, editing | 8–15 MB |
| 720p | Most phones | 4–8 MB |
| 360p | Sending on WhatsApp | 1–3 MB |
Why can't I download some Reels?
- Private accounts: only public Reels can be saved.
- Removed Reels: if the Reel was deleted or hidden, the link no longer works.
- Copyrighted music: occasionally Instagram mutes a Reel in some countries; the download matches what Instagram shows.
Bonus: regular video posts
The main Instagram Downloader also handles regular video posts in your feed. Copy the post link the same way and paste it in.
A note on credit
Saving a Reel to rewatch it is personal use. If you repost it, tag the original creator and ask first. It's the right thing to do, and Instagram can remove reposts without credit.
Save a Reel now: Instagram Reels Downloader →