Instagram Video Downloader for PC and Mac: How to Save Clips
October 14, 2026 · 5 min read
An Instagram video downloader for PC works in your browser: copy the post's link from Instagram, paste it into VideoDropper, and save the MP4 to your computer. The steps are the same on Windows and Mac. It only works with public posts, so private accounts won't load.
Browser menus and keyboard shortcuts shift a little between versions, so read the labels below as general guidance rather than an exact script.
What you need before you start
- A public Instagram post. If the account is private, the link won't load, and there's no workaround.
- A current browser. Chrome, Edge and Firefox work on Windows. Safari, Chrome and Firefox work on Mac.
- No software to install and no Instagram login on the site.
- Permission to save the video. Stick to your own content, content you have permission to use, or content you're otherwise legally allowed to keep. The Terms and Disclaimer explain how VideoDropper handles this.
Step-by-step: Instagram video downloader on PC
- Open instagram.com in your browser and find the video or reel. Click it so it opens on its own page.
- Copy the link. Click the three-dot menu on the post and choose Copy link. If you don't see that option, click the address bar, select the whole address and press Ctrl+C.
- Open the VideoDropper reels downloader in a new tab.
- Click the input box and press Ctrl+V. The full Instagram link should appear in the box.
- Click the download button and wait a few seconds while the video loads.
- When the result appears, click the download option for the video. Your browser will usually show the file in its downloads list once it finishes.
You get the best quality the original post has available. VideoDropper doesn't upscale, so a low-resolution upload stays low-resolution.
Instagram video download on Mac
The process is the same on a Mac, with Cmd in place of Ctrl. Open the post in your browser, press Cmd+L to select the address bar, then Cmd+C to copy the link. On VideoDropper, click the input box, press Cmd+V, and click the download button.
Safari may ask whether to allow downloads from the site. Choose Allow, and the file will start saving. A Downloads button appears in the Safari toolbar so you can see its progress. Chrome and Firefox show their own downloads list in a similar spot.
Where the downloaded video goes
Most browsers save to the Downloads folder unless you've changed that setting. Here's how to find the file on each system.
| Question | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Usual save location | Downloads folder | Downloads folder |
| Where to open it | File Explorer, then Downloads | Finder, then Downloads |
| Recent downloads in the browser | Downloads icon, or Ctrl+J in Chrome and Edge | Downloads button in the Safari toolbar |
| How to play it | Double-click the MP4 | Double-click the MP4 |
Sort the folder by date and the newest file should be at the top. If you want to keep it with other projects, drag it into a folder of your own.
Why it might not work
The link won't load
A private account is the usual cause. The next most common one is copying the wrong thing, such as a profile address instead of the link to the post. Go back to the video, copy the link again, and paste it fresh.
The video plays in the browser instead of saving
Some browsers open an MP4 in a new tab rather than saving it. Right-click the video and look for Save video as, then pick a folder. If you don't see it, check your browser's downloads list first, since the file may already be there.
Nothing happens when you click download
Look near the address bar for a message saying the browser blocked the download, and allow it. Safari's permission prompt is easy to miss if you clicked through quickly. Clicking the download button a second time often brings it back.
The video has no sound
Check your computer's volume and the player first. If both are fine, the original post may have no audio track. If you only want the sound from a video that has it, the audio downloader saves it as an MP3 at 320 kbps, taken from the compressed source audio.
Stories and highlights fail
Stories and highlights depend on factors outside the site's control, so they aren't guaranteed to work. You can try the stories tool, but a failed attempt doesn't mean you did anything wrong.
Download or screen record?
Both get you a copy on your computer, but they're different things. A screen recording captures whatever is on your display, including the cursor, notifications and the edges of the player. A download gives you the video file itself. If you want something you can edit or share cleanly, downloading is usually the simpler route. For a single image or a carousel, use the photo downloader instead.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to install software to download Instagram videos on a PC?
No. VideoDropper runs in your browser, so you don't need an app or extension. You also don't need to log in to Instagram on the site.
Is the process different on Windows and Mac?
Only in small ways. You use Ctrl on Windows and Cmd on Mac, and the downloads list looks a little different in each browser. The workflow of copying the link, pasting it and saving the file is identical.
Can I save just the audio from an Instagram video?
Yes, if the post has sound. Use the audio tool with the same link to get an MP3 at 320 kbps. It comes from the compressed audio in the original post, so it won't sound better than the source.
Can I download from a private account?
No. VideoDropper only works with public posts. If the account is private, the link won't load.
Is it legal to download Instagram videos?
It depends on whose video it is and what you plan to do with it. Saving your own content or content you have permission to use is the safe approach. The Disclaimer has more detail, and the FAQ covers other common questions.
Ready to try it? Open the reels downloader and paste your link. If you also save videos on your phone, our guides to downloading Instagram video on Android and saving Instagram reels on iPhone cover the mobile steps, and the How To page gives a quick overview of every tool.