Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, announced that the platform now enables global users to download public Reels directly to their devices.
Previously, users could only save these videos within Instagram for later viewing. In his Instagram broadcast, Mosseri mentioned that these downloaded Reels will feature an Instagram watermark and the account name, similar to the watermark seen on TikTok videos.
To download a Reel, users can click the share button and choose the download option. However, account holders can disable the downloading feature for their Reels.
This can be done by navigating to Settings > Privacy > Reels and Remix and toggling the “Allow people to download your Reels” option.
It’s important to note that downloaded Reels using licensed audio will be mute; only those with original audio will retain sound in the download.
The functionality to download Reels was first introduced to users in the United States in June, and it’s now being expanded worldwide.
Additionally, in 2021, Instagram ceased recommending videos with TikTok watermarks or watermarks from other platforms.
Similarly, in August 2022, YouTube added a logo watermark to downloaded Shorts, its short video format, to discourage sharing across different platforms.
Instagram is currently exploring a new functionality called “My Week”, which would enable users to extend the lifespan of their stories on their profiles to a whole week.
Currently in the testing phase, this feature is not yet accessible to the general public, but it may be introduced in the future.
With My Week, users could choose particular stories to remain visible on their profiles for a duration of seven days. This extension offers users enhanced control over the visibility of their stories and provides an opportunity to share more with their audience.
