User guides
Is It Legal to Download Instagram Videos? A Plain-English Guide
By the IGLink team ·
This isn't legal advice, but here's how most people should think about it.
The short answer
Downloading public content for personal, private use is generally low-risk in most countries. Reposting, editing or selling someone else's content without permission can break copyright law and Instagram's Terms of Use.
Good uses vs. risky uses
| Usually OK | Risky without permission |
|---|---|
| Watching offline later | Reposting as your own |
| Backing up your own posts | Using in ads or paid work |
| Saving a recipe or tutorial | Removing the creator's name |
| Commentary with credit (fair use, varies by country) | Re-uploading music |
How to ask for permission
Send the creator a DM: say where you want to use it, how you'll credit them, and whether it's commercial. Screenshot their reply.
Downloading your own content
Your own photos and videos are yours. You can also use Accounts Center › Download your information to export everything officially.
Our policy
IGLink only handles public content, never logs into accounts and responds to valid DMCA requests.