Paste a public instagram.com URL for a reel, feed video, or IGTV post. SMDownloader fetches the MP4 attached to that link at the best quality Instagram exposes to logged-out viewers.
Open video downloaderSMDownloader
INSTAGRAM STORY DOWNLOADER
Download Instagram Stories online
Paste a story share link while the story is still live. SMDownloader fetches the media before Instagram removes it from public view.
Other Instagram downloaders
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 pulls the reel MP4 at the best quality available for logged-out viewers — preview first, then save.
Open Reels downloaderPaste a public instagram.com/reel/… or /p/… URL. SMDownloader resolves the native audio track when Instagram exposes it, or the audio embedded in the public video file.
Open audio downloaderInstagram Story DownloaderCurrent tool
StoryStories disappear after 24 hours. Copy the story link while it is active, paste it here, and save the video or image before the window closes.
Open nowPaste a public instagram.com/p/… link for a single-photo feed post. SMDownloader returns the image file at the resolution Instagram exposes to logged-out viewers.
Open photo downloaderInstagram Carousel Downloader
CarouselPaste a public instagram.com/p/… carousel link. SMDownloader lists each slide in the post so you can save photos or mixed media one by one from the preview.
Open carousel downloader
Download Instagram Stories before they vanish
Instagram Stories auto-delete after 24 hours unless saved as a Highlight. If you need a copy of a public story, copy its share link immediately and paste it into SMDownloader. Expired stories cannot be recovered by any downloader — speed matters once the timer runs out.
How to download an Instagram Story
- 1. Copy while the story is live — Open the story, tap Share, and choose Copy link. Stories older than 24 hours will not resolve.
- 2. Paste and download — Paste the instagram.com/stories/username/… URL above and click Download to load the preview.
- 3. Save immediately — Save the file to your device right away. Do not wait if the story is near expiry.
Why use SMDownloader
- 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.
- No account connection. Provide the story link only. SMDownloader does not log into Instagram on your behalf.
- Mobile-friendly. Use Safari or Chrome on your phone — 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.
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 SMDownloader will not do
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
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 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.