Save Photos From Instagram Easily – A Quick Guide

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Karen Lin

Instagram 101 | Dec 08, 2023

Want More Real Instagram Followers?

Users want to save photos from Instagram to watch the content offline for multiple reasons.

While scrolling through the Instagram feed, you can see everything from photography and educational content to make-up reels. However, saving photos—especially those from a private account—can be challenging. But don’t worry. Instagram takes it upon itself to make the user experience as convenient and enjoyable as possible. For this reason, it allows users multiple ways to save, reshare, and repost photos and videos from other accounts. 

So, join us as we discuss Instagram as a photo-sharing application and how users can access its content even offline. 

A person opens Instagram in dark mode on a cellphone. 

Can You Save a Photo From Instagram?

Instagram restricts users from directly saving photos from other accounts to their phones and other devices. But did you know the platform allows you to snap photos through the app? You can easily save these shots directly to your gallery.

So, how can you save a photo from Instagram that you took through Instagram’s camera? It might not be as simple as right-clicking and saving, but it’s not difficult either.

If you want to save photos that you captured on Instagram or the ones you edited there, follow these steps:

  1. Go to your profile by tapping the profile icon.
  2. Tap the three horizontal lines and go into “Settings.”
  3. Select “Account” and then “Original Photos” or “Original Posts.”
  4. Turn on the option to “Save Original Photos/Posts.”

After following these steps, you will see a folder named “Instagram” in your phone’s photo library. All the Instagram content transfers over there.

How To Save Photos from Instagram

Instagram was a hit upon its launch. The reason? It offers phenomenal features for sharing and preserving memories in the form of photos and videos. People from around the world started documenting and sharing their experiences, tagging other users, or reposting from each other. However, there was a problem: users couldn’t save and view these memories on their phones outside their Instagram accounts. 

The lack of an in-app download option for photos and videos on Instagram can be frustrating. Why is it like this, you ask? 

Well, imagine if someone used your photography as theirs without giving you credit. Not nice, right? Instagram avoids introducing a download feature due to potential privacy and intellectual property risks. They have no plans to add this feature in the near future.

So, how do you save photos from Instagram? Is it images of beautiful places for our bucket list or the graphic guides on caring for your plant babies? Or the fancy tea recipes tutorial you’ve always wanted to try? Some may want to save a photo from Instagram before deactivating their account

Screenshots are the answer. But there are many alternate ways to save Instagram photos. These include external photo-saving applications, some of which may require a paid subscription. However, it’s crucial to understand and respect Instagram’s privacy guidelines. Always ensure you save only public content that doesn’t require exclusive permission or consent.

A person takes food ideas from Instagram.

Save Instagram Photos From Your Desktop, Android, and iOS

You can download a story or photo on a desktop, but not directly, due to copyright issues. But no need to worry! There is a workaround for desktop users. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the image in a new browser tab.
  2. Right-click and select “View Page Source.”
  3. Find the first .jpg link in the code.
  4. Copy the URL and paste it into a new browser tab to download the image. 

You can save Instagram photos on Mac, Android, and iOS with the help of third-party apps. Each app store offers third-party apps that help in saving Instagram photos. 

If the third-party app does not respond, you can screenshot the image. However, remember that it might ruin the quality of the image or violate the privacy guidelines.

A person watching an Instagram live of a photographer in the car. 

How To Save Video From Instagram, Including Reels 

In the fast-paced digital landscape, social media users have a very short attention span. Therefore, Instagram videos under 90 seconds, aka reels, have become a hot trend. According to research, users watch around 17.6 million hours of reels daily. 

Reels are not only used for sharing experiences. Many Instagram accounts use reels to deliver news pieces, educational content, and tutorials. Since most of these short videos contain helpful content, many users want to save them. So, how do you save videos from Instagram?

Unfortunately, Instagram restricts saving all forms of content, including Reels and videos, directly to your device. So, is there really no option other than watching your favorite videos disappear into the sea of Instagram content? 

There is! If you’re a budding influencer wanting to save videos for inspiration, you can save videos to your Instagram’s ‘Saved Items.’ This is an in-app library where you can collect your inspiration content and refer to it anytime.

Apart from this, there are various ways to save videos and reels to your gallery.

Third Party Web App

Many third-party web applications can help you save videos from Instagram. All you have to do is copy the video URL and paste it into their interface. But beware of content theft. Instagram is very serious about protecting the copyrights of content creators.

The New In-App Download Feature for Reels

Instagram makes it even easier for users to download reels directly from the app. If you come across a reel that catches your eye, you can save it to your device. Here’s how:

  1. Tap the share icon on the Reel you wish to download.
  2. Look for the ‘Download’ option in the menu that appears.
  3. Tap it, and save the Reel to your device’s gallery or camera roll.

A person adds a new post on Instagram directly. 

Grow Your Instagram Following With Path Social 

As a budding influencer, you may want to learn about how to save photos from Instagram for inspiration. By using content from popular accounts, you can create the kind of content your target audience is looking for. 

However, these are more credible ways to assess Instagram metrics to find out what works and what doesn’t. Unsure how to get Meta Verified or build a lasting community of followers?

Let Path Social be your guiding light. Our decade-long expertise in Instagram management and exclusive AI-targeting algorithms helps us attract a truly interested audience. We’re all about building genuine connections and crafting an Instagram community that’s engaged and persistent. Begin your journey to a thriving Instagram presence with Path Social and let your story unfold. 

What are you waiting for? Learn how to save photos from Instagram and start growing and gaining Instagram followers today with Path Social.