Can I download Instagram Reels without an account?

Some public Reels can be viewed without an account, but Instagram increasingly requires login to view content. For the most reliable experience, log into your Instagram account in Chrome before using Video Downloader Pro. The extension uses your existing browser session.

Does the download include the audio/music?

Yes. The downloaded MP4 file includes the full audio track — music, voiceover, sound effects, and all. The video and audio are downloaded together as a single file, exactly as they play on Instagram.

Can I download someone else's Instagram Stories?

You can download Stories from any account you can view. If the account is public, you can view and download their Stories. If the account is private and you follow them, you can view and download their Stories. You cannot download Stories from private accounts you do not follow.

Why does Instagram show lower quality on desktop?

Instagram's web version sometimes serves lower quality video compared to the mobile app. However, Video Downloader Pro captures whatever quality Instagram's servers deliver, which is typically 720p to 1080p for Reels. If you notice lower quality, try refreshing the page and letting the Reel play fully before downloading.

Is it legal to download Instagram Reels and Stories?

Downloading publicly available content for personal use is generally permissible, but reposting, redistributing, or commercially using someone else's content may violate copyright law and Instagram's Terms of Service. Always credit the original creator if you share their content and use downloads responsibly.

Updated Feb 2026

How to Download Instagram Reels & Stories

Save Instagram Reels and Stories directly from your browser in high quality. No watermarks, no sketchy third-party apps, and no need to copy-paste URLs. Just click and download.

Beginner

3 minutes

5 steps

Before You Start

Google Chrome browser (desktop)
Video Downloader Pro installed from the Chrome Web Store
An Instagram account (logged in via web browser)

Install Video Downloader Pro

Visit the Chrome Web Store listing and click "Add to Chrome." The extension detects downloadable video content on any website automatically, including Instagram. No setup or configuration is needed after installation.

Chrome Web Store page for Video Downloader Pro

Screenshot the Chrome Web Store listing with the 'Add to Chrome' button highlighted.

Open Instagram in your browser and find the Reel or Story

Go to instagram.com in Chrome and log into your account. Navigate to the Reel or Story you want to download. For Reels, you can find them in the Reels tab, your feed, or on a user's profile. For Stories, click on a user's profile picture to view their active Stories. Make sure the video is playing so the extension can detect the stream.

Pro Tip

For Stories, you need to view them before they expire (24 hours). Once a Story disappears from Instagram, it cannot be downloaded. If you know someone posts Stories you want to save, check regularly or enable notifications for their account.

Instagram Reel playing in Chrome browser

Screenshot showing an Instagram Reel playing in the Chrome desktop browser with the Video Downloader Pro icon visible in the toolbar.

Click the Video Downloader Pro icon to see detected videos

While the Reel or Story is playing, click the Video Downloader Pro icon in your Chrome toolbar. The dropdown displays all detected video content on the current page. Instagram Reels typically appear with their resolution (up to 1080p) and estimated file size. Stories show similarly with their available quality level.

Video Downloader Pro dropdown showing detected Instagram Reel with quality info

Screenshot the extension dropdown listing a detected Instagram Reel with resolution and file size information, plus a Download button.

Download the video in your preferred quality

Select the quality option you want and click "Download." The video saves to your downloads folder as a standard MP4 file with no watermarks added. Instagram Reels are typically available in 1080x1920 (vertical full HD) resolution. The download takes just a few seconds for most Reels and Stories.

Downloading an Instagram Reel with quality selected

Screenshot showing the download in progress for an Instagram Reel, with the quality option selected and the progress bar visible.

Download multiple Reels from a profile

To download multiple Reels from the same profile, open each Reel individually and use the extension to download it. As you browse through a profile's Reels tab, each Reel you play becomes available for download. The extension detects new videos as they load, so you can work through a creator's Reel library efficiently by opening each one and downloading before moving to the next.

Pro Tip

If you are downloading several Reels from the same creator, open each Reel in a new tab to batch them. Then go through each tab and download. This is faster than opening, downloading, going back, and repeating.

Multiple Instagram Reels open in tabs ready for batch downloading

Screenshot showing multiple browser tabs with different Instagram Reels open, and the extension dropdown active on one of them.

Summary

You can now download Instagram Reels and Stories directly from your Chrome browser in high quality. Video Downloader Pro handles the detection and download automatically — no need to copy URLs into third-party websites or install separate mobile apps. The downloaded files are standard MP4 videos with no watermarks, ready to use however you need. Remember that Stories expire after 24 hours, so download them promptly. For Reels, they remain available on the creator's profile indefinitely (unless deleted). Always respect content creators' rights when saving and using their content.

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