# How to download Instagram videos, reels and photos

ReelGrep turns a public Instagram link into the original media file. This page covers how to use it on each device and what happens to your request.

## How to download Instagram videos and reels

1. Open Instagram and find the reel. Tap the **share** icon (paper plane) or **•••**, then **Copy link**.
2. Open the [Instagram video downloader](https://reelgrep.app/), or the [Instagram reels downloader](https://reelgrep.app/reels) for reels, and paste the link into the prompt. Pasting a full link starts the download automatically; otherwise press Enter.
3. Preview the clip, then press **Download video**. The MP4 saves to your Downloads folder.

![ReelGrep after pasting a reel link: the video preview with a Download video button](https://reelgrep.app/assets/shots/reels-desktop-dark-1712.webp)

## How to download Instagram photos and carousels

1. Copy the link of a post (`instagram.com/p/…`).
2. Paste it into the [photo downloader](https://reelgrep.app/photo). Every slide in a carousel gets its own card.
3. Press **Download photo** on each image you want to keep.

![A four-photo Instagram carousel in ReelGrep, each photo with its own download button](https://reelgrep.app/assets/shots/photo-desktop-dark-1712.webp)

## How to download Instagram audio

1. Copy a reel link or an audio page link (`instagram.com/reels/audio/…`).
2. Paste it into the [audio downloader](https://reelgrep.app/audio).
3. Press **Download audio**. The original audio track downloads straight away as an M4A file, with no conversion step.

![ReelGrep audio downloader showing a reel soundtrack with a player and Download audio button](https://reelgrep.app/assets/shots/audio-desktop-dark-1712.webp)

## Download Instagram videos on iPhone and iPad

Safari saves downloads to **Files → Downloads**. To move a video to Photos, open it in Files, tap Share and choose **Save Video**. Photos can be saved the same way with **Save Image**.

![ReelGrep on a phone with a reel ready to download](https://reelgrep.app/assets/shots/reels-mobile-dark-780.webp)

## Download Instagram videos on Android

Chrome saves files to the **Downloads** folder, and most gallery apps show them right away. If a video doesn’t appear, open the Files app and look under Downloads.

![ReelGrep on an Android-size screen with carousel photos ready to save](https://reelgrep.app/assets/shots/photo-mobile-dark-780.webp)

## Download Instagram videos on PC and Mac

Files go to your browser’s download folder. Use the **mirror download** link under a video if your network blocks Instagram’s CDN.

## What happens behind the scenes

- Your browser sends the link to the media API, which reads the same public data Instagram shows a logged-out visitor.
- The API returns short-lived download links (they expire after about five minutes) for each video, photo or audio track.
- The file streams from Instagram’s CDN to your device. ReelGrep stores no copy, and no account or cookies are involved.

## Why an Instagram video won’t download

- **Private account**: only approved followers can see it, so it can’t be downloaded.
- **Age-restricted or removed post**: Instagram hides it from logged-out visitors.
- **Stories**: not supported yet. Reels, posts, carousels and audio pages work.
- **Too many requests**: wait a minute and try again. A light rate limit keeps the service fast.

Source: https://reelgrep.app/how-it-works