Instagram Rolls Out Global Reel Download Feature for All Users

By DaMarko Webster

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has announced that users worldwide can now download public Reels on the platform. This functionality was initially introduced in June for users in the United States. To download a Reel, users can utilize the “share” option, and the downloaded videos will bear an Instagram watermark displaying the account name from which the Reel was downloaded. It’s important to note that only Reels with original sound will have audio when downloaded; if a Reel contains licensed audio, the downloaded video will be without sound.

For those concerned about privacy, users have the option to disable the download feature for their Reels. This can be done through the Privacy menu, specifically under Reels and Remix.

This new capability follows Instagram’s recent expansion of the Close Friends feature, allowing users to share in-feed posts and Reels exclusively with their Close Friends, extending the reach of the Close Friends option beyond Instagram Stories.