If you want to know how to download Instagram videos, the process is the same regardless of the video type: copy the link, paste it into a downloader, and save the file. Instagram has no built-in export button, so you need an external tool to get the actual MP4 onto your device.
This guide covers every type of Instagram video and the specific steps for each one.
The Universal Method: Copy, Paste, Download
Every Instagram video download follows three steps:
- Copy the link. Open the video in the Instagram app, tap the three-dot menu, and tap Copy Link.
- Paste it. Go to SaveThat.video in your browser and paste the URL into the input box.
- Download. Tap Save it, then tap the download button when the file is ready.
This works for Reels, feed videos, Stories, and Highlights. The only thing that changes is where you find the link.
How to Get the Link for Each Video Type
Reels
Reels are the most common video format on Instagram. To copy the link, tap the three-dot menu (bottom-right of the Reel) and select Copy Link. You can also tap Share and then Copy Link from the share sheet. Paste it into the Instagram downloader and save.
Stories
Stories disappear after 24 hours, so you need to act while they are still live. Open the Story, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, and tap Copy Link. Paste the URL and download immediately. For a full walkthrough, see the Instagram Story downloader.
Feed Video Posts
Regular video posts in the feed work the same way. Tap the three-dot menu above the post and select Copy Link. These videos stay on the creator's profile indefinitely, so there is no time pressure. Use the Instagram to MP4 converter to grab them.
Highlights
Highlights are archived Stories pinned to a profile. Open the Highlight, navigate to the specific clip you want, tap the three-dot menu, and copy the link. The Instagram Highlights downloader handles these.
Live Videos
You cannot download a Live broadcast while it is streaming. Instagram does not expose a link for active Lives. However, if the creator saves the Live to their profile afterward, it becomes a regular video post that you can download using the standard method.
Device-Specific Tips
iPhone (Safari)
Safari saves files to the Files app by default. After downloading, open the file, tap the share icon, and select Save Video to move it to your Camera Roll. If Safari plays the video instead of downloading, long-press the download button and tap Download Linked File.
Android (Chrome)
Chrome on Android downloads MP4 files directly to the Downloads folder. The video appears in your gallery automatically. No extra steps needed.
Desktop (Any Browser)
On a computer, the file downloads to your default Downloads folder. You can also right-click the download button and select Save Link As to choose a specific location.
What About Private Accounts?
Private account content cannot be downloaded. Instagram restricts access to approved followers only, and no external tool can bypass that restriction. If the account is private, the link will not return any video data. There is no workaround for this.
What Quality and Format Do You Get?
Downloaded files are standard MP4 with H.264 encoding. The resolution matches whatever the creator originally uploaded, typically 1080p for Reels and feed videos. There is no quality loss from the download process. If you only need the audio, you can extract it with the Instagram Reels to MP3 tool.