How to download Instagram Reels on your iPhone

Downloading content from TikTok is relatively easy, even if the video is protected, but the same cannot be said for Reels, Instagram’s version of short videos. Instagram doesn’t make it easy to upload content unless it’s your own, and that’s especially true with Reels. However, there is a way to bypass Instagram restrictions on your iPhone and save videos locally without even leaving the app.

There are many reasons to download Reels videos. You may need an offline version to watch at any time, a copy to edit in your own video, a version to download to another platform, or a way to move the playhead to your desired location.

An example of the latter is a video of an illusion or magic trick that defies logic; It’s too hard to pause at the right place on Instagram to see exactly what’s going on in the video, but you have more control over the playback when it’s on your device locally.

While you can easily save videos to your account for later viewing on your profile page, you run into the same issues mentioned above. But on your iPhone, there is an easy way to save any clip you want, and it’s called Instagram Download. While other shortcuts like Instagram Media Saver have plenty of media saving options, I like Instagram Download better because it’s less likely to open content in Safari for download and has been updated more recently.

Install download from Instagram

You can create your own shortcut, but something like Instagram Download is a tricky build if you’re not an experienced programmer. It’s much easier to download from its developer, Glubyte, on RoutineHub, where it’s constantly updated. However, you can also use the iCloud link below to install the latest version (2.6.2) directly. In any case, Glubyte has included an updater in the shortcut, so you’ll always be up to date.

• Link to RoutineHub: Download from Instagram (latest version)
• iCloud Link: Download from Instagram (version 2.6.2)

Install required applications

Since it’s a shortcut, you’ll obviously need the Shortcuts app, which you should already have. But the shortcut itself uses two different (and free) applications to help work wonders: Scriptable and a-Shell.

The shortcut is based on the Scriptable WebView, according to the developer, and helps you stay there as it “automatically supports web cookies in its webview and HTTP request sessions.”If you use a shortcut other than Instagram Download, Instagram may limit the number of downloads since those shortcuts won’t keep you logged in like Instagram Download does.

• App Store Link: Scriptable

You need a mini version of the a-Shell app for iOS 14, but on iOS 15 you can use the mini version or the full version. Instagram has recently started to reduce the quality of videos in the app and on the web, and higher quality videos have separate audio files. However, the a-Shell application with its FFmpeg plugin will help you download higher quality videos with sound intact.

• App Store Link: a-Shell (for iOS 15)
• App Store Link: a-Shell mini (for iOS 14 or 15)

According to the App Store privacy report, neither Scriptable nor a-Shell collect any data from you, so you don’t have to worry about any ulterior motives.

Set Up Instagram Upload

To set up an Instagram upload, simply share the Instagram video with a shortcut. You need to go through the setup process first, but subsequent reel downloads should remember your preferences.

On the drum in the Instagram app, tap the ellipsis (•••) in the options, then “Share”. Then scroll down and select the “Instagram Upload”shortcut.

The shortcut may ask you to allow it access to the Scriptable, and you should select “Always allow”if you want the tool to work smoothly in the future. It may also ask if you have a-Shell, and you should already have it.

After that, you can select the date that the drum uses. You can select a publish date or the current date for the save reel only, and this menu will reappear the next time, or you can select the Always option to set it for all future reels.

You should now receive a few more privacy prompts asking for permission to send and share dictionary items, so select Always Allow. Then it should ask if you want to upload the drum cover as well. As with the date, you can choose yes or no once, or make it the default with the Always option.

If you choose to upload a video cover, you’ll be prompted to select a photo album in which it will be placed. You can change the default album later if you change your mind. Then another privacy prompt should ask you to allow media to be saved to “Photos”- select “Always allow”.

The shortcut will then ask if you want to copy the title of the video. Choose “yes”or “no”just once, or choose “Always”to set it for future reels. If you select Yes, click Always Allow on the privacy prompt asking you to copy the content to your clipboard.

We’re almost done. Another privacy prompt should appear asking you to share media using Scriptable, so select Always Allow. He must upload the video to the Photos application; click “OK”to continue. It will then request access to the Scriptable; click “Always allow”.

Scriptable should open and you will need to sign in to Instagram with your credentials. Make sure you’re logged into the same Instagram account that you use on the Instagram app to prevent any issues later. Click “Save Info”when accessing Instagram to save the web view login details. Only cookies, not actual credentials, will be stored in Scriptable. The label and the Scriptable itself cannot access any data from their webview.

Easier drum loading

Now, loading other clips into the Photos app on your iPhone should be pretty fast. Share the video to Instagram Download, and if you’ve selected all the “Always”options for the date, covers, and captions, you should see a check mark in the banner to indicate that it’s saved the video. Sometimes you may need to respond to additional privacy requests, so just allow them if they appear.

Please note that you can also download videos from private accounts you follow, not just public ones.

Customize your Instagram upload options

If you want to change the date the video was recorded, the photo album you chose for the covers, or your clipboard settings, tap the Upload from Instagram card in the My Tags section of the shortcuts. Click “User Settings”to update these settings. You can also change your Instagram account, contact the developer, or change the save location to Files.

If you copy the video link to your clipboard or copy it from a video shared with you in another app, you can also download the video directly from the shortcut. In the menu there is an option “Download media file from the copied link”. Tap this to save the video to Photos (or Files if you change the target location).

If you want to view or change any of the app’s privacy settings, tap the ellipsis (•••) on the shortcut card, then open the settings menu. You can then view or change any access in the Privacy tab.

Instagram Download doesn’t just work with videos; you can upload post photos, post videos, stories, highlights, IGTV videos, and even profile pictures. Keep in mind that you may need to give the shortcut more permissions for these settings.