INSTAGRAM GUIDE · REELS

How to copy an Instagram Reel link

Four steps — Share, Copy link, paste on SMDownloader, save to your device.

How to copy an Instagram Reel link — step by step

Step 1 of 4

Open the public Instagram Reel

Open the Instagram app on iPhone or Android, or visit instagram.com in your browser. Find the reel you want to download and play it full screen. The reel must be public — posts that require a login or belong to a private account cannot be copied for download.

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Screenshot: a public reel playing in the Instagram Reels viewer, ready for Share.
  1. Step 1: Open the public Instagram Reel. Open the Instagram app on iPhone or Android, or visit instagram.com in your browser. Find the reel you want to download and play it full screen. The reel must be public — posts that require a login or belong to a private account cannot be copied for download.
  2. Step 2: Tap Share on the reel. While the reel is playing, tap the paper-plane Share icon on the right side of the screen (mobile) or use the share control under the video on desktop. This opens Instagram's share sheet where Copy link is listed.
  3. Step 3: Choose Copy link. In the share menu, tap Copy link (sometimes labeled Link). Instagram copies a public instagram.com/reel/… URL to your clipboard. Avoid copying profile links, search results, or DM previews — only the reel post URL works.
  4. Step 4: Paste on www.smdownloader.com. Switch to Safari or Chrome, open www.smdownloader.com, paste the copied reel URL into the field at the top, and tap Download. Preview the video, pick your preferred quality if shown, then save to your camera roll or Downloads folder.

Example URL

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

Common questions

How do I copy instagram reel link on my phone?

Open the public reel in the Instagram app, tap Share → Copy link, paste the instagram.com/reel/ URL on www.smdownloader.com, and tap Download — same flow on iPhone and Android.

How do I copy an Instagram Reel link on iPhone or Android?

Play the public reel full screen, tap the paper-plane Share icon, choose Copy link, then paste the full instagram reels link on www.smdownloader.com and tap Download.

Does Share → Copy link work the same for Instagram reels?

Yes. Reels use the same Share sheet as feed posts. Tap the paper-plane icon while the reel plays, then Copy link — the copied URL format is identical on iPhone and Android.

What should the copied instagram reels link look like?

Public reel links use instagram.com/reel/SHORTCODE/. Paste the full URL — not a profile name, search page, or DM preview.

Can I copy a link from a private Instagram account?

No. The reel must be public — if you need to log in to view it, Share → Copy link will not produce a URL SMDownloader can fetch.

Does this work on desktop without the app?

Yes. Open the reel on instagram.com, use Share → Copy link or copy the address bar URL, then paste on www.smdownloader.com and use the instagram reel downloader to preview and save.

Why did my instagram reel link fail to download?

Confirm the URL includes instagram.com/reel/ and the post is public. Private reels, expired links, and profile URLs will not work — copy again from Share → Copy link while the reel is playing.

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