How to Download Instagram Reels on PC, Laptop or Mac (With Audio)

4 min read · Published October 25, 2026

Instagram on the web has no download button, and its Save icon only bookmarks a Reel inside your account. Here’s how to save the actual video, sound included, on a Windows PC or laptop, a Mac or a Chromebook.

1. Copy the Reel link

Open the Reel on instagram.com and copy the address from the address bar. It looks like instagram.com/reel/…. In a feed, click the three dots (⋯) on the post and choose Copy link.

2. Paste it into the downloader

Open the Instagram Reels downloader and press Ctrl + V (or ⌘ + V on a Mac) anywhere on the page, then click Download. No login is needed.

3. Save the video

Click the video button. The MP4 goes to your Downloads folder with its sound and music, ready to watch offline. In Chrome or Edge, press Ctrl + J to open it. On a Mac, it’s in Finder › Downloads.

If the video starts playing in a tab instead of saving, right-click the button and choose Save link as… (Chrome, Edge) or Download Linked File (Safari).

Do I need an extension?

No. Reel downloader extensions often ask to “read and change all your data on all websites”, which is far more access than saving a video needs. Pasting the link into a web page does the same job.

How to save your own Reel without posting it

A Reel you haven’t posted has no link yet, so this happens in the Instagram app on your phone:

1. Open your Reel draft (Profile › Reels › Drafts) or finish editing a new one.
2. In the editor, tap the download arrow at the top of the screen.
3. The video is saved to your camera roll or gallery without being posted.

About music: if the draft uses a song from Instagram’s music library, the saved copy may be silent or have the song removed, because of music licensing. Sound you recorded yourself is kept. To keep a song, add it in another video editor after saving.

FAQ

Does it work on Windows 11 and Mac?

Yes. It runs in any modern browser on Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS and ChromeOS.

Can I save just the audio?

When Instagram provides a separate audio track, an Audio button appears in the results. Otherwise, save the video and use any free video-to-MP3 converter.

Can I download Reels from private accounts?

No. Only public Reels can be saved.

On your phone instead? Use the iPhone guide or the Android guide.

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