In a recent announcement, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri revealed that users around the globe can now download Instagram Reels from public accounts directly to their camera roll. The feature, initially introduced in the United States in June, has undergone beta testing and is now available for iOS and Android users.
The feature is similar to the download functionality available on TikTok, giving users access to the download option under the share button. To protect the work of the actual creator, the downloaded Reels are further saved in the gallery of the device, watermarked with the original poster’s Instagram username.
The update universally applies to all public accounts, enabling anyone on Instagram to download and share Reels unless the account owner modifies their download settings. For Instagram users under the age of 18 with public accounts, the download feature is initially deactivated, but they retain the flexibility to activate it at their convenience.
In the official FAQ, Instagram established rules to safeguard the privacy and accessibility of Reels. It notes that account privacy settings will play a pivotal role in determining the accessibility of Reels downloads to other users.
