Instagram has broadened the horizons for Reels, extending the option to download content from public accounts to users around the world. This feature, which was initially available only in the US, now allows global users to download and share Reels beyond the Instagram platform.
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, made the announcement through his broadcast channel, noting that any Reels saved using the new feature would carry the creator's Instagram tag as an embedded watermark. The global rollout is underway, and while some users may have immediate access, others might need to wait for the feature to appear in their app.
Public account holders have the choice to disable downloads of their Reels. If that option is exercised, other users will not have the capability to save those Reels to their own device galleries. However, the 'Save' feature within Instagram remains available, allowing users to hold onto their favorite Reels within the app under the "Saved Reels" tab for later viewing.
For those Reels where downloads are permitted, saving them to your device is as simple as tapping the 'Share' button, marked by a paper airplane icon, on the Reel you wish to keep and select 'Download'. If you're a public account owner and wish to restrict others from downloading your Reels, you can navigate to your profile settings and disable the download function under the 'Sharing and Remixes' section.
It's noteworthy that Instagram permits the download of your own Reels without the watermark from saved drafts. Moreover, these can be readily shared within Instagram, whether through Stories or direct messages. Prior to this update, sharing Reels on other social media platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram required copying and pasting the link into conversations. Thankfully, with the latest development in the app's functionality, Instagram Reels can be directly shared as video files to other platforms, easing the process and enhancing the user experience.