INSTAGRAM GUIDE · PHOTO

How to copy an Instagram photo or carousel link

instagram.com/p/ URLs — save single images or every carousel slide.

How to copy an Instagram photo or carousel link — step by step

Step 1 of 4

Open the photo post

Navigate to a public single-image post or the first slide of a carousel in the Instagram app or on instagram.com. The post must be visible without logging in — private accounts and close-friends content cannot be copied for download.

1 / 4
Screenshot: a public Instagram photo or carousel post open and ready to share.
  1. Step 1: Open the photo post. Navigate to a public single-image post or the first slide of a carousel in the Instagram app or on instagram.com. The post must be visible without logging in — private accounts and close-friends content cannot be copied for download.
  2. Step 2: Tap Share. On mobile, tap the paper-plane Share icon below the image. On desktop web, click Share below the post or copy the URL directly from the browser address bar — both produce the same instagram.com/p/ link.
  3. Step 3: Copy link. Choose Copy link in the share menu. Photo and carousel posts use instagram.com/p/SHORTCODE/ URLs — one link covers every slide in a carousel. Avoid copying profile links, search results, or DM previews.
  4. Step 4: Paste and save. Open smdownloader.com, paste the copied /p/ URL into the download field, and click Download. Preview the image or carousel slides, then save each file to your device. Multi-image carousels list every slide in the preview.

Example URL

https://www.instagram.com/p/SHORTCODE/

Related guides & tools

Carousels share one /p/ link — SMDownloader lists each slide in the preview. For dedicated download pages, see the photo downloader and carousel downloader.

Copy link on mobileCopy link on webCopy video linkCarousel downloader tool

Common questions

Do carousel posts use one link or one per slide?

One link. Multi-image carousels share a single instagram.com/p/SHORTCODE/ URL. SMDownloader lists each slide in the preview after you paste that link.

Can I copy a photo link from a private account?

No. The post must be public. If Instagram asks you to log in or follow the account to view it, Share → Copy link will not produce a URL SMDownloader can fetch.

What URL format do photo posts use?

Single photos and carousels both use instagram.com/p/SHORTCODE/. Reels use /reel/ and videos may use /tv/ — see the matching guides for those formats.

Does Copy link work on desktop web too?

Yes. On instagram.com, click Share below the post and choose Copy link — or copy the address bar URL directly. Both produce the same public /p/ link.

Paste photo linkAll Instagram guides