How to Download Instagram Videos, Reels, Stories, and Photos with PasteDL

Updated

PasteDL is a free web-based downloader that saves public Instagram videos, Reels, stories, photos, carousels, highlights, and profile pictures as MP4 or JPG files. It requires no Instagram login, adds no watermark, and keeps no personal download library. The key condition: the content must be public. Private, deleted, or otherwise restricted posts will not work.

What PasteDL can download

Content type Saved format
Videos MP4
Reels MP4
Photos JPG
Photo stories JPG
Carousels MP4 / JPG
Highlights MP4 / JPG
Profile pictures JPG

PasteDL also handles TikTok downloads without a watermark, but this guide focuses on Instagram.

Step-by-step: downloading Instagram content

1. Copy the Instagram link

Open Instagram and find the public post, Reel, story, Highlight, or profile you want to save. Use the share menu to copy the link.

Private, deleted, or restricted content won't work — PasteDL can only process what Instagram makes publicly accessible.

2. Paste the link into PasteDL

Paste the copied link into the input box on pastedl.com. PasteDL detects the content type automatically and prepares the MP4 or JPG on its media backend. It never asks for your Instagram password.

3. Click Download

Click the Download button to save the file to your device. Videos and Reels save as MP4; photos and photo stories save as JPG.

What PasteDL does not do

  • No Instagram login required. You never hand over your password.
  • No watermark added. PasteDL does not stamp anything onto the file.
  • No personal download library. PasteDL keeps limited technical logs for security and operations — not a history of what you downloaded.
  • No private content. Restricted, deleted, or private posts cannot be processed.

Note that Instagram itself may log requests under its own policies, independently of PasteDL.

Common issues and fixes

The link doesn't work. Check that the post is public. If the account is private or the content has been deleted, PasteDL cannot retrieve it.

Wrong content type detected. Make sure you copied the direct link to the specific post, Reel, or story — not just the profile URL, unless you intend to download the profile picture.

File won't save. Try a different browser or check your device's storage permissions. Videos save as MP4 and photos as JPG, so confirm your device supports those formats.

When to use PasteDL

PasteDL works on iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac through a browser — no app installation needed. It's a practical option when you need to save a public Instagram video, Reel, story, or photo for offline viewing or reference, and you want to avoid screen recordings or watermarked copies.