Adam Mosseri CEO of Instagram, has recently made a noteworthy announcement that has piqued the interest of Instagram users worldwide. The announcement pertains to the ability for users to download Instagram Reels, directly onto their device’s camera roll. This new feature is applicable to Reels that are posted on public accounts.
This feature was initially launched in the United States in June and has since undergone beta testing to ensure its seamless functionality. The availability of this feature extends to both iOS and Android users, thereby encompassing a vast majority of Instagram’s user base.
With no direct way of downloading the Instagram Reels videos, one has to resort to third-party apps to get the deed done. But what if we tell you there is a way with which you can directly download Instagram Reels videos from the app itself? The steps aren’t super tricky either… pic.twitter.com/b6F0XLNKJm
— GizNext (@GizNext) May 10, 2023
Instagram’s new feature allows users to download public Reels, bears a striking resemblance to the download functionality available on TikTok. This feature provides users with the convenience of accessing the download option directly under the share button, mirroring the user-friendly interface of TikTok.
The implementation of this feature is not just about providing an additional option for users, but also about safeguarding the rights and efforts of the original content creators. When a user downloads a Reel, it is automatically saved in the device’s gallery.
However, to ensure that the original creator’s work is acknowledged, the downloaded Reel carries a watermark. This watermark prominently displays the Instagram username of the original poster, thereby attributing the content to its rightful owner.
The recent update rolled out by Instagram is a universal feature, applicable to all public accounts on the platform. This means that any Instagram user has the ability to download and share Reels from public accounts.
However, Instagram has also taken into account the need for individual control over content. Therefore, the platform allows account owners to modify their download settings as per their comfort and privacy preferences.
For Instagram users who are under the age of 18 and have public accounts, the download feature is initially turned off. This is a proactive measure taken by Instagram to safeguard the interests of its younger user base. However, Instagram also recognizes the need for flexibility.
Instagram has outlined clear guidelines in its official FAQ to protect the privacy of its users and regulate the accessibility of Reels. These guidelines underscore the importance of account privacy settings, which serve as a key determinant in controlling the accessibility of Reels downloads to other users.
This approach empowers users with the ability to control the distribution of their content, thereby enhancing their privacy on the platform. It also ensures that the accessibility of Reels downloads is not a one-size-fits-all feature, but rather a flexible tool that respects individual privacy preferences.
Instagram has implemented a different set of rules for private accounts when it comes to downloading Reels. In contrast to public accounts, the download feature for Reels is restricted for private accounts.
The rationale behind this restriction is to uphold the privacy preferences of the account owners. If an account is set to private, it implies that the owner has chosen to limit the visibility of their content to a select group of followers.
When we delve deeper into this feature, we see that it allows public account holders to decide if they want their followers to have the ability to download their Reels.
Instagram has provided additional details regarding the download feature for Reels. Specifically, for public accounts, the platform has clarified that only Reels that are newly created are eligible for download, unless the user modifies their download settings.
Moreover, Instagram has also outlined the conditions under which the original audio from a Reel can be included in a downloaded Reel. Specifically, the original audio from a Reel can be included in a downloaded version only if the original Reel, which contains that specific audio, is itself downloadable.
ALSO READ | WhatsApp’s New Feature: Email Verification for iOS Users