In a recent announcement, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri revealed that users around the world can now download Instagram reels directly to their camera roll from public accounts. The feature, initially launched in the US in June, has gone through beta testing and is now available for iOS and Android users.
The feature is similar to the download functionality available on TikTok, which gives users access to the download option under the share button. To protect the original creator’s work, downloaded reels are further saved in the device’s gallery, watermarked with the original poster’s Instagram username.
The update applies universally to all public accounts, enabling anyone on Instagram to download and share Reels unless the account owner changes their download settings. For Instagram users under 18 with public accounts, the download feature is initially disabled, but they retain the flexibility to enable it at their convenience.
In the official FAQ, Instagram has established rules to protect the privacy and accessibility of Reels. It notes that account privacy settings will play an important role in determining the accessibility of Reel Downloads to other users.
In case of public account, any Instagram user can download the reel. Download settings can be customized for specific posts or the entire account. However, for users under 18 with public accounts, the download feature is initially disabled by default, giving them the option to enable it later.
In contrast, for personal accounts, reel downloads are limited. This means that no one can access content on Instagram unless the account owner switches their privacy setting to public.
Meanwhile, Instagram is giving public account holders the ability to manage their download settings. This will give them control to decide whether their followers can download their reels.