How to Download Instagram Reels on iPhone
Last updated: September 2026 · Trusted by thousands of users
No App Store install needed — it works right in Safari.
iPhone doesn't include a way to save someone else's Reel, and Apple's App Store review process means many third-party downloader apps get pulled or stop working without warning. A browser-based tool sidesteps that entirely.
Step by step on iPhone
- Open the Reel in the Instagram app and tap the paper-plane Share icon.
- Tap Copy Link to put the Reel's URL on your clipboard.
- Open Safari and go to the Reels Downloader.
- Paste the link and tap Download.
- Use the share sheet that appears to choose Save to Photos.
Why it works without an app
InstaLoadr is a website, not an app, so there's no App Store listing to be removed or an update to break compatibility with a new iOS version. It runs the same way any webpage does — it just resolves the video file and hands it to Safari's normal download flow.
Does it work in other browsers on iPhone?
Yes. Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers on iOS all use Apple's WebKit engine under the hood, so the process is identical regardless of which browser you prefer.
If the download doesn't appear in Photos
Check that you tapped "Save to Photos" specifically in the share sheet, rather than another option like "Save to Files." If the link itself won't resolve, the most common cause is a private account or a Reel that's been deleted since the link was copied.
Conclusion
Copy the link, paste it into the Reels Downloader in Safari, and save through the share sheet — no App Store, no extra permissions.
Questions
Do I need an app from the App Store to save Reels on iPhone?
No. InstaLoadr works entirely in Safari, so there's nothing to download from the App Store.
Where does the Reel save on my iPhone?
Through the share sheet, which lets you save it directly to your Photos app.
Does this work in Chrome on iPhone too?
Yes. Any browser on iPhone works the same way, since it's a standard website.