Paste a public instagram.com URL for a reel, feed video, or IGTV post. SMDownloader resolves the MP4 via /api/extract on our servers at the best quality Instagram exposes for logged-out viewers.
Open video downloaderINSTAGRAM STORY DOWNLOADER
Instagram story downloader
Paste a public Instagram Story share link while it is still active. SMDownloader resolves the media on our servers — preview the clip or image, then save before the 24-hour window closes. No Instagram login.
More Instagram tools
Saving a different type of post? Each format has its own page with tailored steps and FAQs — same paste field, different help below.
Paste a public instagram.com/reel/… URL. SMDownloader resolves the reel MP4 on our servers at the best quality Instagram exposes for logged-out viewers — preview first, then save.
Open Reels downloaderPaste a public instagram.com/reel/… or /p/… URL. We pull the soundtrack Instagram shows on that post — native reel audio when available, otherwise the audio track inside the public video file.
Open audio downloaderInstagram Story Downloader — Save StoriesCurrent tool
StoryStories disappear after 24 hours. Copy Share → Copy link while a public story is still live, paste it here, and save the video or image to your device.
Open nowPaste a public instagram.com/p/… link for a single-photo feed post. SMDownloader resolves the image via /api/extract on our servers at the resolution Instagram exposes to logged-out viewers.
Open photo downloaderPaste a public instagram.com/p/… carousel link. SMDownloader resolves every slide via /api/extract on our servers — one /p/ URL lists each image or video in the preview before you save.
Open carousel downloader
Download Instagram Stories before they vanish
Instagram Stories auto-delete after 24 hours unless saved as a Highlight. Copy Share → Copy link while the story is still live — confirm the URL includes instagram.com/stories/ — and paste into SMDownloader right away. Public links only; expired stories cannot be recovered by any tool.
How to download an Instagram Story
- 1. Copy while the story is live — Open the public story (within 24 hours), tap Share → Copy link, and confirm the URL includes instagram.com/stories/. Expired stories will not resolve.
- 2. Paste and download — Paste the instagram.com/stories/username/… URL above and click Download. SMDownloader resolves story media on our servers.
- 3. Save immediately — Preview the video or image and save it to your device. Stories expire after 24 hours — do not wait if you want to keep the file.
Why use SMDownloader
- No Instagram login. Provide the public story share link only. SMDownloader does not connect to your Instagram account or store your activity.
- Video and photo stories. Whether the story is a short clip or a still image, the preview lists whatever media Instagram exposes for that active story URL.
- Works on every device. iPhone, Android, and desktop browsers are all supported. Paste the link you copied from Share while the story is still visible.
Help
Need help copying the link?
Step-by-step guides for grabbing the exact post URL from your phone or browser — then paste it into the field above.
- Find link on your phone
- Find link in your browser
- Copy a reel URL
- Copy a video post URL
- Copy a photo post URL
- Copy a story link
Supported link formats
https://www.instagram.com/stories/username/STORY_ID/
Close Friends stories and private-account stories require login — those links will not work here. Public stories only.
Highlights use different URL patterns and may behave like archived posts. For expired stories, no tool can recover the media retroactively.
Where files save
After you confirm a save, the file goes to your browser's default download location — usually Downloads on desktop or your photo gallery on mobile. SMDownloader does not host or email files.
Limits
What links will not work
- Bypass private accounts, close-friends stories, or login-only posts.
- Bulk-scrape entire profiles, hashtags, or channels automatically.
- Promise universal no-watermark, 4K, or DRM-free output when the source does not expose it.
Common questions
How do I download an Instagram story?
Open the live story in Instagram, tap Share → Copy link, paste the instagram.com/stories/ URL above, click Download, preview the media, then save immediately — stories expire after 24 hours.
Is this an Instagram story saver?
Yes — paste one public story share link at a time. SMDownloader fetches the video or image Instagram exposes for that URL while the story is still active.
How do I save an Instagram story before it expires?
Copy the story link as soon as you see it. Paste on SMDownloader and download within the 24-hour window. Once the timer runs out, the URL stops resolving.
Can I download an expired Instagram Story?
No. Once the 24-hour window passes, the story URL stops resolving. Save stories while they are still active.
Do I need an Instagram account?
No. SMDownloader only needs the public share link. You do not log in to Instagram on our site.
How do I copy an Instagram story link?
While the story is live, tap Share → Copy link and confirm instagram.com/stories/ is in the URL. See the Instagram story copy-link guide for step-by-step screenshots on mobile and desktop.
Do Highlights work with this tool?
Sometimes. Highlights are saved stories with different URLs. Paste the Highlight link if Share provides one — public Highlights may resolve like normal posts.
Are story downloads legal?
Saving your own stories or content you have permission to archive is generally fine. Do not republish someone else's story without consent.
SMDownloader is not affiliated with Instagram. Only download public content you have rights to save. See the Instagram downloader overview for all supported URL shapes.