How to Save Instagram Reels on iPhone and iPad

Saving a video on an iPhone or iPad is a little different from Android because of how Safari and the Files app work. The good news is that since iOS 13, Safari has a proper download manager, so saving a public Instagram Reel is straightforward. This guide covers the full process, how to find the file afterwards, and what to do if something goes wrong.

Before you start

• Update to a recent version of iOS or iPadOS. Older versions may not offer the download manager.
• Make sure the Reel is from a public account. Private content cannot be saved by online tools.
• Check you have free storage in Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage.

Step 1: Copy the Reel link

Open the Instagram app and find the Reel. Tap the paper plane (Share) icon, then tap Copy link. You will see a short confirmation. If you only see options to send to friends, scroll the row of actions at the bottom of the share sheet to find Copy link.

Step 2: Paste it into the downloader

Open Safari and go to fastdownload.online. Tap the input box, then tap Paste when the prompt appears (the site also has a Paste button). Choose the Reels / Video tab for posts, or the Story tab and a username for stories.

Step 3: Download the video

When the preview is ready, tap Download. Safari shows a prompt such as "Do you want to download this file?". Tap Download. A small download arrow appears in the address bar area while the file is saving.

Step 4: Find your video

Tap the download arrow in Safari's toolbar and select the file, or open the Files app and go to Browse, then On My iPhone (or iCloud Drive), then Downloads. From there you can play the video, rename it, or share it.

To add it to your Photos library:

1. Open the file in the Files app so it plays.
2. Tap the Share icon (square with an arrow).
3. Choose Save Video.

It will then appear in the Photos app, usually at the top of "Recents".

Alternative: Screen Recording

If you cannot use a downloader, iPhone has a built-in screen recorder. Add it in Settings, then Control Centre, then add Screen Recording. Swipe down to open Control Centre, tap the record button, wait for the 3-second countdown, play the Reel, then stop recording. The clip is saved to Photos. Quality is lower than the original, and you will capture the on-screen interface, so it is best as a last resort.

Common problems on iPhone

Nothing happens when I tap Download

Make sure pop-up blocking is not interfering. In Settings, then Safari, check that Block Pop-ups is off for this site, and that you are not in a restricted private mode. Try reloading the page and pasting the link again.

The video plays in the browser instead of downloading

Press and hold the Download button and choose Download Linked File. The video will go to your Downloads folder.

I used a different browser

Chrome and Firefox on iOS handle downloads differently from Safari. If downloads fail, try Safari for the most reliable result.

The link is not recognised

Copy the link again using Share, then Copy link. Links copied from the address bar of an in-app browser sometimes include extra tracking text that confuses tools. If you need more help, read our troubleshooting guide.

Keep your phone tidy

Saved videos can add up quickly. A one-minute HD Reel may use 20 to 60 MB. Delete files you no longer need from the Files app and also empty the "Recently Deleted" album in Photos, otherwise space is not freed immediately.

Use saved content responsibly

Downloading is meant for personal, offline use. If you plan to share or post somebody else's Reel, get their permission and credit them clearly. Our guide on copyright basics explains the essentials in plain language.

Summary

On iPhone and iPad: copy the link in Instagram, paste it into the downloader in Safari, tap Download, then find the file in Files and save it to Photos if you like. The whole process takes under a minute and needs no app, account or password.