Originally written by Amit Kumar, updated by Dibyajyoti Kabi. First published January 11, 2019. Updated October 24, 2026.
To download your own Instagram photos, turn on the save to phone option under Archiving and downloading in Instagram’s settings, or request a full copy of your data from Accounts Center. For other people’s posts, Instagram only lets you download public reels with its own download button. Photos can be saved inside the app, not to your gallery.
The old version of this post used a page source trick and a Chrome extension. Instagram has changed a lot since 2019, and browser extensions that ask for your Instagram login are a real risk to your account. So I’ve rewritten the guide around the official options.
Key points
- Instagram can save a copy of every photo and video you post straight to your phone.
- You can download everything you ever posted in one file from Accounts Center.
- Public reels have a Download option in the share menu, unless the creator turned it off.
- There’s no official way to download someone else’s photo to your gallery. Save it to a collection or ask the owner.
How do I save my own Instagram posts to my phone?
Open your profile, tap the menu at the top right, then Archiving and downloading, and turn on the option to save your posts to your phone. From then on, Instagram keeps a copy of every photo and video you upload in your gallery. It only works for new posts, not the ones you already shared.
- Open Instagram and tap your profile picture at the bottom right.
- Tap the three-line menu at the top right.
- Tap Archiving and downloading. If you don’t see it, use the search bar at the top of the settings screen.
- Turn on the option to save posts to your phone, and the one for stories if you want those too.
On Android the photos land in an Instagram folder in Google Photos or your Gallery app.
How do I download all my old Instagram photos at once?
Use Download your information in Accounts Center. Instagram packs up all your photos, videos, stories and messages into a file and sends you a link when it’s ready. It can take from a few minutes to a few days depending on how much you’ve posted.
- Open Instagram, go to your profile and tap the three-line menu.
- Tap Accounts Center.
- Tap Your information and permissions.
- Tap Download your information and pick your Instagram account.
- Choose the full copy or the parts you want, pick a format and tap Create files.
Instagram explains the process on its help page about downloading your information. Pick HTML if you just want to look through the photos, and JSON if you want to move them to another app.
Can I download Instagram reels?
Yes, if the reel is from a public account and the creator allows downloads. Tap the share icon under the reel and tap Download. The video saves to your phone with an Instagram watermark and the creator’s username. Reels from private accounts can’t be downloaded.
- Open the reel you want.
- Tap the share icon, the paper plane.
- Tap Download in the row of options at the bottom.
Instagram’s help page on reel downloads says public accounts can switch this off, so if you don’t see Download, the creator has turned it off. Some music from Instagram’s library may also be left out of the saved file.
Can I download someone else’s Instagram photo?
Not with an official button. Instagram has no download option for other people’s photos. The safe way is to tap the bookmark icon under the post to save it to a collection inside Instagram, where you can find it again any time. If you really need the file, ask the person to send it to you.
- Tap the bookmark icon at the bottom right of the post.
- To sort it, tap and hold the bookmark and pick or create a collection.
- Find your saved posts later under your profile menu > Saved.
You can take a screenshot too, but keep it for yourself. The photo still belongs to the person who posted it, and reposting it without permission can get your account reported.
Are Instagram downloader apps and websites safe?
Many aren’t. Apps that ask for your Instagram username and password can steal your account or post spam from it. Downloader websites are full of pop-up ads and fake buttons. If you try one, never log in through it, and stick to the official methods above for your own photos.
| What you want | Best way | Official? |
|---|---|---|
| Your future posts | Archiving and downloading | Yes |
| All your old posts | Download your information | Yes |
| A public reel | Share > Download | Yes |
| Someone else’s photo | Save to a collection or ask the owner | Yes |
| Someone else’s photo as a file | Third-party downloader | No, and risky |
Frequently asked questions
Does Instagram notify someone if I save their post?
No. Saving a post to your collection is private. The person can see how many saves a post got, but not who saved it.
Why don’t my Instagram photos show up in my gallery?
The save option only works for posts you share after you turn it on. Also check that Instagram has permission to access photos under Settings > Apps > Instagram > Permissions.
Can I download Instagram stories?
You can download your own stories from your archive. Open the story under Archive, tap the three dots and tap Save. Other people’s stories can’t be downloaded officially.
Related guides
- How to add polls to Instagram Stories
- Instagram is working on non-SMS two-factor authentication
- How to back up your Android phone without root
That’s it. For your own photos, the two official options cover everything, and public reels are one tap away.
If a menu looks different in your Instagram app, leave a comment with your phone model and Instagram version, and I’ll point you to the right spot.
