How to download Instagram Reels, photos and carousels
Last updated 9 October 2026
PocketClip saves the videos and photos in public Instagram posts: Reels, ordinary video and photo posts, and everything inside carousels. It only works with posts anyone can see without logging in, so stories and private accounts aren’t supported.
1. Copy the post’s link
In the Instagram app, open the Reel or post, tap the Share button (the paper plane), then Copy link. In a browser, copy the address from the address bar.
Post links look like https://www.instagram.com/reel/… or https://www.instagram.com/p/…. Links with extras such as ?igsh=… or ?img_index=2 at the end work as they are.
2. Paste it into PocketClip
Open the Instagram downloader, paste the link and tap Download. The home page recognizes Instagram links too.
3. Save a Reel, video or photo post
For a post with one video or one photo, the download options appear straight away. Tap Download next to the one you want. Photos are saved in the largest size Instagram offers, usually 1080 pixels wide.
Instagram sends its files from its own servers, and some browsers show the file instead of saving it. If a video starts playing or a photo opens, save it from your browser’s menu, or press and hold it on a phone and choose to save or download it.
4. Save the slides in a carousel
A carousel is a post with several slides. PocketClip lists each slide, video or photo, numbered by its position in the post, and marks the photos.
- To save one slide, tap Download on it.
- To save them all at once, tap Download all as ZIP. You get one ZIP file with every video and photo in the post.
The Instagram photo downloader is the same tool, with the steps for saving photos to your phone.
Opening a ZIP file
- iPhone and iPad: tap the ZIP file in the Files app, and it unzips into a folder next to it.
- Android: open it in Files by Google and tap Extract.
- Computer: double-click it.
Saving to your phone
Downloads go to the Downloads folder: in the Files app on iPhone, or in Files by Google and your Gallery on Android. On iPhone, open the file in Files, tap Share, then Save Video, or Save Image for a photo, to add it to Photos. The TikTok guide has step-by-step instructions for each device, and they’re the same for Instagram.
If it doesn’t work
- Private accounts and stories aren’t supported.
- Posts limited to some audiences, such as adults, can only be seen while logged in to Instagram, so PocketClip can’t open them.
- Deleted posts come back as not found.
The guide to why a video won’t download covers every message in detail.
Before you save
Only save videos and photos you made yourself or have the creator’s permission to use. Saving a post doesn’t give you the right to repost it.