Instagram Reels Downloader

Instagram Reels Downloader — bulk MP4 downloads of public reels

The Instagram Reels Downloader downloads the newest reels of public Instagram profiles, or single reel links, as MP4 files into your Apify storage and returns download links with views, likes and captions.

It runs on Apify, needs no Instagram login and no cookies, and exports to JSON, CSV, Excel or an API call. Every session key it needs (tokens, query ids, cursors) is read from Instagram on each run, so it keeps working when Instagram ships new code.

What the Instagram Reels Downloader does

• Reads the Reels tab of each username and downloads up to your per-profile limit.
• Keeps play counts from the Reels tab in each row.
• Stores the highest-resolution MP4 Instagram publishes.
• Accepts single reel links too.

Who uses the Instagram Reels Downloader

• Creators backing up their reels.
• Agencies building swipe files.
• Researchers archiving public short videos.

How the Instagram Reels Downloader works

Instagram serves every public page to logged-out visitors together with the queries that fill it.

The Actor loads the page the way a browser does, reads the session values Instagram puts into it, and then asks Instagram's own GraphQL endpoint for the next page with the cursor the previous page returned.

Query ids that a page does not preload are read from the JavaScript bundles that page lists. Large files from Instagram's CDN (images, videos) are fetched directly with their signed links, so proxy traffic stays small.

Nothing is guessed: if Instagram stops publishing a value the Instagram Reels Downloader needs, the run log names it and the item is skipped instead of being filled with a stale value.

What is new in the Instagram Reels Downloader (October 2026)

These features were added on 2026-10-03 after comparing the Instagram Reels Downloader with the ten most used Actors of its kind on the Apify Store. Defaults keep the earlier behaviour.

• downloadFiles off returns the signed Instagram links only (status linkOnly) - no storage used.
• downloadAudio also stores the audio-only track (.m4a) and downloadCover the cover image.
• skipPinnedPosts leaves out reels pinned to the top of the Reels tab; onlyPostsNewerThan / onlyPostsOlderThan choose the dates.
• New fields: id, mediaType, productType, status, isPinned, coverUrl, audioUrl and cdnUrlExpiresAt.

Input of the Instagram Reels Downloader

Field	Type	Default	What it does
usernames	array	["nasa"]	One per line: a username (nasa), an @handle (@nasa) or a profile URL (https://www.instagram.com/nasa/).
startUrls	array	[]	Single reel links.
maxPerProfile	integer	5	How many of each profile's newest reels to download.
maxFileSizeMb	integer	300	Larger files are skipped and reported.
downloadFiles	boolean	True	Off: return the signed Instagram links only (faster, no storage).
downloadAudio	boolean	False	Stores the separate audio-only track Instagram publishes (.m4a).
downloadCover	boolean	False	Stores the reel's cover image (.jpg).
onlyPostsNewerThan	string	—	Leave out posts published before this date: 2026-09-01, an ISO time (2026-09-01T10:00:00Z) or relative ("7 days", "2 weeks", "1 month"). UTC. Profile lists stop
onlyPostsOlderThan	string	—	Leave out posts published after this date (same formats). Combine with "newer than" for a date range.
skipPinnedPosts	boolean	False	Leave out reels pinned to the top of the Reels tab.
maxItems	integer	0	Stops the whole run after this many dataset rows. 0 means only the per-target limits apply.
proxyConfiguration	object	{"useApifyProxy": true, "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"]}	Instagram limits logged-out visitors per IP address. Residential proxies (the default) give the most reliable results; the Actor switches to a fresh IP when Ins

Example input for the Instagram Reels Downloader:

{
  "usernames": [
    "nasa"
  ],
  "maxPerProfile": 5,
  "maxFileSizeMb": 300
}

Output of the Instagram Reels Downloader

Each dataset row is one downloaded reel. These are the fields the Instagram Reels Downloader produced in its test runs:

Field	Meaning
caption	Caption text
cdnUrl	cdnUrl
commentsCount	Comments count
downloadError	downloadError
fileKey	fileKey
fileUrl	Download link of the stored file (Apify key-value store)
height	height
inputUrl	inputUrl
itemCount	itemCount
itemIndex	itemIndex
likesCount	Likes (or reactions) count
ownerUsername	Account that posted it
scrapedAt	When this row was read
shortCode	Instagram short code
sizeBytes	Stored file size in bytes
timestamp	Publication time (UTC, ISO 8601)
url	Public link of the item
videoDurationSec	Video length in seconds
videoPlayCount	Video plays
width	width
audioUrl	Audio-only track link (signed CDN link, expires)
cdnUrlExpiresAt	When the signed link expires (its oe= parameter)
coverUrl	Cover image link of the video
id	Platform id of the item
isPinned	Pinned to the top of the profile (Instagram's own flag)
mediaType	video or image
productType	feed, carousel_container or clips (reel)
status	stored, linkOnly or failed

Fields that Instagram does not publish for an item are left empty rather than guessed. Download the dataset as JSON, CSV, Excel, XML or HTML, or read it through the Apify API.

Example row from a Instagram Reels Downloader test run

A real row from the local test run (long values shortened):

{
  "url": "https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dd1gQBsCWE8/",
  "shortCode": "Dd1gQBsCWE8",
  "ownerUsername": "nasa",
  "caption": "What happens when we detect an asteroid that could pose a threat to Earth?\n\nIn early 20...",
  "timestamp": "2026-09-28T15:27:08.000Z",
  "likesCount": 102337,
  "commentsCount": 876,
  "videoPlayCount": null,
  "inputUrl": "nasa",
  "itemIndex": 1,
  "itemCount": 1,
  "width": 608,
  "height": 1080,
  "fileUrl": "file:///D:/Email%20Scrapers/ACTOR_IMPLEMENT/instagram-reels-downloader/storage/key_valu...",
  "fileKey": "Dd1gQBsCWE8-video.mp4",
  "sizeBytes": 12144606,
  "cdnUrl": "https://instagram.fdac5-1.fna.fbcdn.net/o1/v/t2/f2/m86/AQOuHqPy8zAIe_zxT0betsc1P_MC0UbW...",
  "downloadError": null,
  "scrapedAt": "2026-10-02T18:23:49.000Z",
  "videoDurationSec": 38.61
}

Data quality of the Instagram Reels Downloader

• Every value in a Instagram Reels Downloader row is read from Instagram during your run; nothing is filled from a cache or an old snapshot.
• Rows are de-duplicated by id inside a run, so the same downloaded reel never appears twice in one dataset.
• Counts are numbers you can sort and sum (not "1.2K" text) wherever Instagram publishes the exact number.
• Dates are UTC in ISO 8601 format, which Excel, Google Sheets, Python and SQL all read directly.

Instagram Reels Downloader test results

These numbers come from live test runs of the Instagram Reels Downloader on 2026-10-03 (home connection, no proxy). Runs on the Apify platform use residential proxies and can be faster or slower.

Test	Rows	Time
prefill input (regression)	10	61 s
2 reels of a profile	2	23 s
NEW skip pinned reels, links only	2	9 s

Instagram Reels Downloader limits, stated plainly

• Private accounts return nothing. Instagram publishes one MP4 per reel (other qualities are video-only streams), so there is no quality choice.
• Measured locally: 2 reels of a profile downloaded and stored in 17 seconds.
• Respect copyright: download only what you may reuse.

How to run the Instagram Reels Downloader

1. Open the Instagram Reels Downloader in Apify Console and fill in the input fields described above.
2. Keep the default residential proxy unless you have a reason to change it; Instagram limits logged-out visitors per IP address.
3. Start the run, watch the log, and download the dataset when the status says Done.
4. To automate it, call the Instagram Reels Downloader from the Apify API, schedule it, or connect it to Make, Zapier, n8n or Google Sheets through an integration or webhook.

Python example with the Apify API client:

from apify_client import ApifyClient

client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN>")
run_input = {
    "usernames": [
        "nasa"
    ],
    "maxPerProfile": 5,
    "maxFileSizeMb": 300
}
run = client.actor("neuro-scraper/instagram-reels-downloader").call(run_input=run_input)
for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
    print(item)

Instagram Reels Downloader pricing

The Instagram Reels Downloader uses pay-per-event pricing: you pay per dataset row (event "result"), plus the Apify platform usage of your run. Free-plan users get up to 30 rows per run, which is enough to test the Instagram Reels Downloader on real data.

Set a maximum cost per run in Apify and the Instagram Reels Downloader stops cleanly when it is reached.

Tips for large runs of the Instagram Reels Downloader

• Start with a small limit to check the Instagram Reels Downloader output, then raise it; the first rows arrive within seconds.
• Split very large jobs into several inputs and run them in parallel tasks; each run gets its own proxy sessions.
• Set a maximum cost per run in Apify; the Instagram Reels Downloader stops cleanly when the budget is reached and keeps every row it already saved.
• Schedule repeat runs instead of one huge run when you track the same targets over time.
• Keep the residential proxy: datacenter IPs are refused by Instagram far more often for logged-out visitors.

Instagram Reels Downloader compared with copying by hand

	Instagram Reels Downloader	Manual work
Speed	Seconds per page of results	Minutes per item
Fields	Every public field, same order every time	Whatever you copy
Format	JSON, CSV, Excel, API	Spreadsheet you build yourself
Repeatable	Schedule it daily	Start again each time
Errors	Logged per item	Unnoticed typos

Using the Instagram Reels Downloader in a workflow

• Send every new row to Google Sheets or Airtable with the Apify integration and keep a live table.
• Trigger a Make, Zapier or n8n scenario with a webhook when the run finishes.
• Load the JSON export into Python or BigQuery for analysis and dashboards.
• Use the Apify API: start the Instagram Reels Downloader with a POST request and read the dataset items endpoint when the run finishes.
• Chain it: pass the Instagram Reels Downloader output to another Apify Actor (for example a downloader or a transcript Actor) in an Apify task.
• Export straight to Excel from the dataset tab when you only need a one-off report.

Troubleshooting the Instagram Reels Downloader

• The run ends with no rows: open the log. The Instagram Reels Downloader writes one line per target saying what Instagram returned, for example a login wall or a missing item.
• Fewer rows than expected: the target may have fewer public items, or Instagram may stop serving more pages to logged-out visitors. The log names the reason.
• Slow run: large limits mean many pages; the Instagram Reels Downloader waits briefly between pages so Instagram keeps answering. Split big jobs into several runs.
• Proxy errors: keep the RESIDENTIAL group. The Instagram Reels Downloader already switches to a fresh IP when one is blocked.
• Free plan stops at 30 rows: that is the free-plan cap of the Instagram Reels Downloader; any paid Apify plan removes it.

What changed in this version of the Instagram Reels Downloader

• Rebuilt in October 2026 on Instagram's logged-out web endpoints; every token, query id and cursor is read at run time.
• Pay-per-event pricing (one event per row) replaces the old monthly rental; free-plan users can test with 30 rows per run.
• Residential proxy by default, with automatic switch to a fresh IP when Instagram blocks one.
• October 2026 feature round: new filters and fields matching the most used Instagram Actors on the Store, every one measured in a live test; existing inputs and fields are unchanged.

Is it legal to use the Instagram Reels Downloader?

The Instagram Reels Downloader reads only data that Instagram shows to any logged-out visitor. It never logs in and never touches private content.

Personal data may still be in public posts, so check GDPR and the other laws that apply to you before you store or reuse it, and respect Instagram's terms.

Related scrapers

Actor	Link
Instagram Scraper	neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper
Instagram Profile Scraper	neuro-scraper/instagram-reels-scraper-downloader-pro
Instagram Posts Scraper	neuro-scraper/instagram-posts-scraper
Instagram Reels Scraper	neuro-scraper/instagram-reels-scraper
Instagram Hashtag Scraper	neuro-scraper/instagram-reeel-scraper
Instagram Comments Scraper	neuro-scraper/instagram-reels-scraper-and-downloader-premium
Instagram Search Scraper	neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper-advanced
Instagram Video Downloader	neuro-scraper/instagram-video-downloader
Instagram Image Downloader	neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper-and-downloader
Instagram Transcript Scraper	neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper-and-downloader-pro
Instagram Mentions Scraper	neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper-and-downloader-premium
Instagram Keyword Scraper	neuro-scraper/instagram-video-scraper-and-downloader-fastest

Leave a review

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Instagram Reels Downloader and the Instagram Video Downloader?

The Instagram Reels Downloader starts from profiles and their Reels tab; the Video Downloader starts from post links. Both store MP4 files.

Does the Instagram Reels Downloader need my Instagram login?

No. The Instagram Reels Downloader works logged out and never asks for your password or cookies. It reads only what Instagram shows to any visitor.

Do I need my own proxy for the Instagram Reels Downloader?

No. The Instagram Reels Downloader uses Apify residential proxies by default and switches to a fresh IP when Instagram blocks one. You can choose another proxy in the input.

What formats can I export from the Instagram Reels Downloader?

JSON, CSV, Excel, XML, HTML and RSS from the dataset tab, or any format through the Apify API, webhooks and integrations.

How fast is the Instagram Reels Downloader?

In the test runs above the Instagram Reels Downloader took between 9 and 61 seconds per run. Speed depends on how many items you ask for and on the proxy.

Why did the Instagram Reels Downloader return fewer rows than I asked for?

The Instagram Reels Downloader stops when Instagram has nothing more to show logged out, when your limit is reached, or when the free-plan cap of 30 rows applies. The run log always says which one happened.

Can I schedule the Instagram Reels Downloader?

Yes. Create a schedule in Apify Console to run the Instagram Reels Downloader daily or hourly and send the results to Google Sheets, Make, Zapier or n8n through an integration.

Can the Instagram Reels Downloader read private accounts or private groups?

No. The Instagram Reels Downloader reads public data only. Private content needs a login, and the Instagram Reels Downloader never logs in.

What happens when Instagram changes its website?

The Instagram Reels Downloader reads every key it needs from Instagram at run time, so routine changes are picked up automatically. If something can no longer be read, the log says so instead of returning wrong data.

Can I use the Instagram Reels Downloader with Make, Zapier or n8n?

Yes. Add the Instagram Reels Downloader as an Apify step in Make, Zapier or n8n, or send a webhook when the run finishes and fetch the dataset items from the Apify API.

Does the Instagram Reels Downloader work in every country?

The Instagram Reels Downloader reads Instagram through residential proxies that rotate across countries. Content that Instagram restricts by country follows those rules.

How do I collect only new items with the Instagram Reels Downloader?

Schedule the Instagram Reels Downloader and keep the item ids from earlier runs. Every row has a stable id, so a simple de-duplication against your previous export keeps only the new ones.

Can the Instagram Reels Downloader process many targets in one run?

Yes. Put as many targets as you like in the input; the Instagram Reels Downloader handles them one after another and a failing target never stops the others.

Can the Instagram Reels Downloader skip pinned reels?

Yes. Turn on skipPinnedPosts; the Reels tab marks pinned reels and the Instagram Reels Downloader leaves them out.

Can the Instagram Reels Downloader save the audio of a reel?

Yes. Turn on downloadAudio and the audio-only track is stored next to the MP4 as an .m4a file.