Instagram finally lets you download Reels; here is how

Instagram has announced the ability to download videos from its popular short videos feature, Reels.

This will enable users to share clips across other platforms like WhatsApp, a similar approach to what has boosted Instagram’s rival TikTok’s popularity as a video-sharing platform.

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri made the announcement on Wednesday to followers on his broadcast channel. He said the Meta-owned platform was rolling the feature beginning with users in the United States.

Downloading Reels will however only apply to the content shared by public accounts.

“In the US, we’re rolling out the ability to download reels shared by public accounts to your camera roll,” Mosseri said, “Worth mentioning, Reels shared by private accounts can’t be downloaded.”

To download an Instagram Reel, one will tap the Share icon on a reel they love and select Download.

At the same time, public accounts will also be able to turn off the ability for people to download their reels in Account Settings.

Per the handout illustration images Mosseri gave, it seems Instagram will brand downloaded videos with the creator’s username, similar to TikTok.

Until now, Instagram only allowed users to download their own Reels without a watermark from drafts.

Since Instagram’s introduction of Reels in August 2020 to compete with TikTok, the feature has boosted the platform’s traffic and revenue growth.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg during the parent company’s Q1 2023 earnings call, said time spent on Instagram grew by 24%, attributing it to AI-driven Reels recommendations.