Instagram began allowing users to download publicly viewable Reels back in June, but the feature was initially limited to mobile Instagram users in the US. Instagram Head Adam Mosseri has now announced via his Broadcast Channel that the feature is being rolled out to Instagram users worldwide.
With this feature, users can download Reels they like directly to their device, rather than just “saving” them to view again later within the app. To download, users simply need to tap the “Share” button.
However, as with downloaded TikTok videos, Adam Mosseri clarified in his Broadcast that downloaded Reels will include an Instagram watermark and the original poster’s username. Additionally, if a Reel uses its original background sound, that audio will be included in the download, but Instagram prohibits downloading Reels that use licensed music as background audio.
Users who upload Reels can also choose to block others from downloading their Reels. To change download options, go to Settings, then Privacy, then Reels and Remix, where users can toggle “Allow People to Download Your Reels” on or off as they prefer.