How to Download Instagram Videos, Reels, Stories & Photos
A plain, step-by-step guide for iPhone, Android and computers. Copy a link, paste it into VideoDropper and save the file. No account, no app and no password.
Free to use
No login needed
iPhone, Android & PC
Public posts only
The quick version
Three steps work for almost everything. The sections below cover each content type and device in detail.
1
Copy the link
In Instagram, open the public post, Reel or story and copy its link. On a computer, copy the address from the browser bar.
2
Paste it
Tap Paste on VideoDropper, or paste the link into the box. The link is checked automatically, so there is no extra button to press.
3
Download
Look at the preview, then tap Download on the file you want. You get one best-quality video, plus an MP3 of the sound if you need it.
Step-by-step guides by content type
Pick what you want to save. Each guide uses the matching tab on VideoDropper.
The steps in VideoDropper are the same everywhere. What changes is where the file ends up.
iPhone (iOS)
Safari is the browser that saves downloads best on iPhone.
In Instagram, tap the share icon and choose Copy link.
Open Safari and go to VideoDropper.
Tap Paste, and tap the small Paste prompt if iOS asks. You can also press and hold in the box and choose Paste.
Tap Download, then confirm Download in the prompt.
Open the download arrow in Safari, or the Files app, and go to Downloads.
To add the file to Photos, open it, tap Share, then Save Video or Save Image.
Where it is savedFiles app, in Downloads. You can change the location in Settings, Safari, Downloads.
iOS keeps downloads in Files first. Moving a video to Photos is one extra step with Share.
Android
Chrome and most other browsers save straight to your phone.
Copy the link in the Instagram app.
Open Chrome, or your usual browser, and go to VideoDropper.
Tap Paste and allow clipboard access if asked.
Tap Download on the file you want.
Find it in the Downloads folder, or in Gallery or Google Photos a moment later.
Where it is savedDownloads folder. Videos and photos usually show up in Gallery shortly after.
Open VideoDropper in a regular browser, not inside Instagram, so the download is not blocked.
PC / Mac
The quickest way to save several files in a row.
Open the post on instagram.com and copy the link from the address bar.
Open VideoDropper, click the box and paste with Ctrl+V or Cmd+V.
Wait for the preview, then click Download on the file you want.
Find the file in your Downloads folder, or where your browser asks you to save it.
Where it is savedYour browser's Downloads folder. You can switch on ask where to save in the browser settings.
Use Download another when you are done, to clear the result and paste the next link.
How to read your result
After you paste a link, VideoDropper shows a preview and one row for each file you can download.
Video 1080p
One video per post: the highest quality available. The number shows the resolution. If the best version has no sound, we join it with the audio for you.
Video 720p (no sound)
The original post has no audio track, so the file is silent. Nothing went wrong on your side.
Audio MP3 320 kbps
The soundtrack, converted to MP3 as you download it. On the Audio page you can play it first.
Photo 1, Photo 2
Each image in a photo post or carousel, with its own Download button.
Thumbnail and player
The preview uses the post's own thumbnail as its cover, so you can check the clip before saving.
Download another
Clears the result and takes you back to the box. Links in a result stay valid for about 30 minutes.
Tips for the best results
Small habits that avoid most problems.
Copy the full link
Use Share, then Copy link, instead of typing the address. A complete link contains /p/, /reel/ or /stories/.
Check the account is public
Only public posts can be downloaded. If you cannot see a post without following the account, we cannot reach it either.
Use Safari on iPhone
Safari handles downloads best on iOS. Check Files, then Downloads, to find your file.
Skip the in-app browser
Instagram and Facebook's built-in browsers often block downloads. Open VideoDropper in Safari or Chrome.
Save stories early
A story disappears after 24 hours and cannot be fetched afterwards, so paste the link while it is live.
Keep the tab open
MP3 conversions and joined videos are prepared as they download. Wait for the download to finish before you close the page.
Respect the creator
Download for personal reference, credit the creator and ask permission before you repost or use anything commercially.
Troubleshooting
Something not working? Find your problem below. More answers are in the FAQ.
Nothing happens after I paste
Why it happens. The link may be incomplete, or your browser blocked clipboard access.
What to do. Copy the link again with Share, then Copy link. If the Paste button does not work, press and hold or right-click in the box and choose Paste.
It says "Please paste a valid Instagram link"
Why it happens. The text is not a link to an Instagram post, Reel or story.
What to do. Copy the whole link from the share menu. It should start with https://www.instagram.com/ and contain /p/, /reel/ or /stories/.
It says the post could not be downloaded
Why it happens. The post is private, was deleted, or Instagram is not returning it right now.
What to do. Check that the account is public and the post still exists, then try again in a minute. If it keeps failing, contact us with the link.
I see "too many requests"
Why it happens. We limit how many links one connection can check per minute, to keep the service fast for everyone.
What to do. Wait about a minute and try again.
The download fails after a while, or says the link expired
Why it happens. Download and preview links are valid for about 30 minutes.
What to do. Paste the post link again to get fresh links.
My video has no sound
Why it happens. The original post has no audio, for example when Instagram muted a Reel's music.
What to do. If the row says no sound, the file is silent at the source. Try the Audio page to see whether the post has a soundtrack at all.
The download does not start on my iPhone
Why it happens. Another browser, or Instagram's in-app browser, is blocking it.
What to do. Open VideoDropper in Safari, tap Download, confirm the prompt, then look in Files, then Downloads.
It says the story was not found
Why it happens. The story has expired, the account is private, or the link is incomplete.
What to do. Make sure the story is under 24 hours old and the account is public, then copy the link again.
The MP3 will not start, or says the server is busy
Why it happens. The server converts only a few files at the same time.
What to do. Wait a few seconds and tap Download again.