> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://vidow.io/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Instagram Video Downloader — Download Reels, Stories & Posts

> Download Instagram Reels, Stories, and video posts with Video Downloader Plus. Free browser extension that detects Instagram video streams automatically.

Video Downloader Plus works as an Instagram video downloader by monitoring the network requests your browser makes when Instagram loads a video. It detects Reels, video posts, and Stories without requiring any Instagram-specific integration — just standard network-level stream detection.

## How Video Downloader Plus detects Instagram videos

Instagram delivers all video content — Reels, video posts, Stories — as MP4 files served from their CDN. When you open a Reel or play a video post, your browser fetches an MP4 URL from Instagram's servers. Video Downloader Plus monitors those network requests and captures the URL as soon as the video loads.

Because this is standard MP4 delivery, Video Downloader Plus's universal detection handles it with no platform-specific logic required.

## How to download an Instagram video

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Instagram on desktop">
    Go to instagram.com in Chrome. Video Downloader Plus is a desktop browser extension — it does not work in the Instagram mobile app.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to the video or Reel">
    Click on a Reel, video post, or Story to open it. For Stories, tap through to the specific Story you want to download.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Play the video">
    Instagram may not load the video stream until it starts playing. Let the video play for a moment to ensure the stream is loaded into your browser.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Video Downloader Plus icon">
    Once Video Downloader Plus detects the stream, the icon in your browser toolbar lights up. Click it to see the download options.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download">
    Select your preferred quality and click **Download**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Available quality options

| Content type | Typical quality            |
| ------------ | -------------------------- |
| Reels        | 720p–1080p                 |
| Video posts  | 720p–1080p                 |
| Stories      | 720p (depending on upload) |

<Note>Instagram re-encodes all uploaded videos. The actual quality available depends on the original upload quality and Instagram's encoding decisions for that content.</Note>

## Tips for downloading Instagram videos

* **Use instagram.com on desktop** — Video Downloader Plus requires the full desktop site. The mobile version behaves differently and may not trigger stream detection reliably.
* **Play the video first** — Instagram loads video streams lazily. The MP4 URL is not requested until the video actually plays, so Video Downloader Plus cannot detect it until playback begins.
* **Reels in the feed** — If you want to download a Reel you see while scrolling, click into it to open the full Reel view and let it play before clicking the Video Downloader Plus icon.
* **Stories** — Stories must be actively playing to be detected. Click through to the Story, let it start, then click the icon. Do not wait for the Story to fully finish before clicking.
* **Scrolling through feed** — Video Downloader Plus also picks up videos that auto-play as you scroll. If an icon lights up while browsing, you can click it to download the last video that loaded.

<Tip>If a Reel is not being detected, click directly into the Reel page (not just viewing it in feed) and let it play from the beginning. This ensures Instagram fully loads the video stream.</Tip>

## Frequently asked questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Does it work with Instagram Reels?">
    Yes. Instagram Reels are delivered as MP4 files, and Video Downloader Plus detects them through standard network monitoring. Open the Reel, let it play, and the Video Downloader Plus icon will light up.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I download Instagram Stories?">
    Yes, as long as you are viewing the Story while logged in to an account that can see it. Navigate to the Story, let it start playing, then click the Video Downloader Plus icon. Note that Stories from private accounts require you to be approved to follow that account.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why do I need to play the video first?">
    Instagram does not load the video stream until playback begins. This is a performance optimization on their end — the MP4 URL is not sent to your browser until you press play (or the video auto-plays). Video Downloader Plus can only detect streams that have already been loaded by your browser.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does it work on the Instagram app?">
    No. Video Downloader Plus is a desktop browser extension for Chrome. It works on instagram.com in your desktop browser. It does not integrate with the Instagram iOS or Android app.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<Card title="Get Video Downloader Plus for Chrome" icon="chrome" href="https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/hkdmdpdhfaamhgaojpelccmeehpfljgf">
  Install the Video Downloader Plus extension to start downloading Instagram Reels, Stories, and video posts.
</Card>