Can I download Instagram Reels and Stories?

Yes. Instagram Reels and Stories from public accounts can be downloaded using Video Downloader Pro. Open the Reel or Story in your browser at instagram.com (not through a mobile app link), let it play, and the extension will detect the video source. Click the floating button to see the download options.

Does this work on Twitter/X Spaces recordings?

If the Space recording has been posted as a video by the host, Video Downloader Pro can detect and download it like any other video on X. Live Spaces that are actively streaming may not be downloadable — the extension works best with completed, published video content.

Why is YouTube not supported?

Google's Chrome Web Store policy explicitly prohibits extensions that download YouTube content. This policy applies to all Chrome extensions, not just Video Downloader Pro. The extension is designed to work on every other video-hosting platform and website.

Can I download private or locked social media content?

The extension can only detect videos that are visible in your browser. If you have legitimate access to view private content (e.g., you follow a private Instagram account), and the video loads in your browser, the extension can detect it. It cannot bypass login walls or privacy settings.

What is the video quality I can expect from each platform?

Quality depends on what the platform serves: Twitter/X typically offers up to 1080p. Instagram Reels are usually 720p-1080p. Facebook varies from SD to 1080p. TikTok web usually serves 720p-1080p. Vimeo often has the widest range, up to 4K or higher depending on the uploader's settings.

Updated Feb 2026

How to Save Social Media Videos

Download videos from Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Vimeo, and more — directly from your browser. Works on all major social platforms with quality options up to 4K.

Beginner

3 minutes

6 steps

Before You Start

Google Chrome browser (desktop)
Video Downloader Pro installed from the Chrome Web Store
Access to the social media platform (logged in if required to view content)

Install Video Downloader Pro

Install Video Downloader Pro from the Chrome Web Store. It is free to install and requires no configuration. The extension works on all supported social media platforms immediately after installation.

Video Downloader Pro installed and ready in Chrome toolbar

Screenshot Chrome with the Video Downloader Pro extension icon visible in the toolbar, indicating it is installed and active.

Navigate to the social media post containing the video

Go to the social media platform and find the post with the video you want to save. Open the specific post page when possible (click on the post timestamp or permalink) for the best detection results. The extension works on: Twitter/X (posts, reels, spaces recordings), Instagram (posts, Reels, Stories — public accounts), Facebook (posts, Reels, Watch videos), TikTok (videos on the web interface), Vimeo, Dailymotion, and Twitch clips.

Pro Tip

For the best results on Twitter/X and Instagram, click into the individual post rather than trying to download from the feed. This ensures the video source loads fully and the extension can detect all available quality options.

Social media post with a video on Twitter/X showing the floating download button

Screenshot a Twitter/X post with a video playing, showing the Video Downloader Pro floating button overlaid on or near the video. Show the post content around it for context.

Click the floating button to open the download panel

When Video Downloader Pro detects a video on the page, the floating button appears. Click it to open the download panel. The panel shows the detected video with a thumbnail preview, available quality levels, file format, and estimated file size. On some social platforms, multiple video sources may be detected (e.g., a post with multiple videos).

Download panel showing a detected social media video with quality options

Screenshot the download panel open on a social media page, showing the video thumbnail, quality options (e.g., 720p, 1080p), file format (MP4), and the download button.

Select quality and download (platform-specific tips)

Choose your preferred quality and click download. Here is what to expect per platform: Twitter/X — Videos typically offer 480p, 720p, and 1080p options. Instagram — Most Reels and post videos are available in 720p or 1080p. Facebook — Videos usually offer SD (360p) and HD (720p/1080p) options. TikTok — Videos are typically 720p or 1080p. Vimeo — Often has the widest quality range, up to 4K when the uploader provided it.

Quality selection for a social media video showing platform-specific options

Screenshot showing the quality dropdown with resolution options appropriate for the platform (e.g., 720p and 1080p for an Instagram Reel), with file size estimates visible.

Handle special cases: Stories, Reels, and Streams

For Instagram Stories and Reels, make sure you are viewing the content in your browser (not a mobile app link). Navigate to the Story or Reel directly on instagram.com and let it play — the extension detects the video source during playback. For Facebook Reels and Watch videos, open them in their own page for best results. For Twitch clips, the extension handles the HLS stream format automatically and converts it to a standard MP4 file.

Important

Private or restricted content cannot be downloaded unless you have legitimate access to view it. The extension can only detect videos that load in your browser — if you cannot see the video, the extension cannot detect it either.

Downloading an Instagram Reel using Video Downloader Pro

Screenshot an Instagram Reel playing in the browser with the Video Downloader Pro panel open showing the detected video and download button.

Find and use your downloaded videos

Downloaded videos are saved to your default Chrome downloads folder as MP4 files. You can play them with any video player (VLC, QuickTime, Windows Media Player), import them into editing software (Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, CapCut), or share them through messaging and email. The files retain their original quality — no re-encoding or quality loss during download.

Pro Tip

Organize your saved social media videos by creating subfolders (e.g., 'Twitter References', 'Instagram Inspiration'). This makes it easier to find specific clips later, especially if you download frequently for content creation or research.

Downloaded social media videos organized in the downloads folder

Screenshot the downloads folder showing several downloaded video files from different platforms with recognizable filenames and file sizes.

Summary

You can now save videos from all major social media platforms using Video Downloader Pro. The extension handles Twitter/X, Instagram (including Reels and Stories), Facebook, TikTok, Vimeo, Dailymotion, Twitch, and thousands of other sites. Quality options vary by platform but typically include HD and Full HD resolutions. Remember that YouTube is excluded per Chrome Web Store policy, and DRM-protected streaming services are not supported. For everything else, the process is the same: visit the page, click the floating button, choose your quality, and download. All processing happens locally in your browser with no data sent to external servers.

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Video Downloader Pro works on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Vimeo, and thousands more. Free to install.

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