The internet is full of misleading tutorials about downloading Instagram Reels. For example, some claim that tapping Save in the app will download the video. In reality, Save only bookmarks the Reel within Instagram—it does not download it to your device.

This guide will show you the real methods to download Instagram Reels to your local storage.

If you want to transcribe an Instagram Reel, you can try third-party transcription software, such as Vomo AI.

Let dive in!

How to Download Instagram Reels Within the App

On Instagram, you can download your own Reel by following this guide.

1 Go to your profile and open the Reels.

2 Tap the three-dot menu in the bottom right corner.

3 Most people will tell you that tapping Save lets you download a Reel. In reality, that’s incorrect—it’s just a bookmarking feature, not a download. Instead, you need to tap Manage, as shown in the image below.

4 After tapping the Manage button, you’ll see the real Download button on the next screen—it says Download, not Save, as shown in the image below

If you want to download someone else’s Reel, their Instagram account must be public and have the Reel download feature enabled.

Find the Reel you want, tap the Share icon (in full-screen mode it’s at the bottom right next to the comment button, or in normal view it’s at the bottom right). The download option will appear in the menu, and the Reel will be saved to your device, as shown in the image below.

How to Download Instagram Reels on Android

For Android devices, the fastest option is using third-party apps like Reels Saver, Video Downloader, or Story Saver, available on the Play Store.

Steps:

1. Open the Reel you want, tapShare → Copy Link.
2. Open your chosen downloader app.
3. Paste the link and tapDownload.
4. The video will be saved to your phone’s storage.

These apps often support multiple content types beyond Reels, making them useful for frequent downloads.

How to Download Instagram Reels on iOS

iPhone users can turn to apps like InSaver, InstaDown, or general Story Saver apps from the App Store. Some offer higher-resolution downloads than others, so it’s worth testing a few.

Steps:

1. Find the Reel and tapShare → Copy Link.
2. Open your video-saving app and paste the link.
3. TapDownloadto save it to your Photos app.

How to Download Instagram Reels with Screen Recording

If you don’t want to install extra apps, screen recording is the simplest alternative:

• OniOS: Enable screen recording inSettings → Control Center → Included Controls, then swipe down and tap the Record icon.
• OnAndroid: Swipe down from the top menu and selectScreen Recorder.

Play the Reel while recording. The file will be saved automatically to your Photos or Gallery. Trim extra frames at the beginning or end using your phone’s built-in editor—or use a video editing app like InShot for more control.

How to Download Instagram Reels Using Online Tools

For desktop or browser-based workflows, online tools like Kapwing make the process easy:

1. Copy the Reel’s link.
2. Open Kapwing in your browser.
3. Paste the URL and download the video.

Kapwing requires an account but offers additional features such as dubbing, resizing, subtitles, and its Repurpose Studio. It works across devices, whether you’re on PC, Mac, Android, or iOS.

How to Repurpose a Downloaded Instagram Reel

Downloaded Reels can be powerful assets for your content strategy. Instead of letting them sit unused, you can repurpose them in different formats:

• Repost as Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts, or TikToks.
• Take a still frame from the Reel and turn it into a static Instagram post.
• Extract an audio snippet and reuse it in podcasts or compilations.
• Integrate Reels into newsletters or blog articles for richer storytelling.

Repurposing saves time, boosts SEO, and extends the reach of your content across multiple platforms.

Tips for Managing Reels with Planable

If you regularly download and repurpose Reels, using a content management tool like Planable can streamline your workflow. With it, you can:

• Plan, collaborate, and schedule posts across nine major platforms (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Threads, Twitter/X, and Google Business).
• Edit videos directly in the tool—trim clips, add covers, text, or filters.
• Approve content faster with built-in collaboration and feedback options.

This makes Planable a strong choice for agencies, brands, and creators who want to keep their Reels content organized and impactful.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re saving your own content, archiving inspiration, or building a repurposing strategy, downloading Instagram Reels in 2025 is simple. From in-app downloads to third-party apps, screen recording, and online tools, you have multiple options tailored to your needs.

The key is to use those downloads wisely: repurpose them, schedule them, and make them work harder for your brand. With the right workflow, every saved Reel can fuel bigger and better content.