You can't copy photos directly from Instagram's app, but you can save them to your phone or download them to your computer
Instagram doesn't give you a built-in "copy" button for photos. What you can do instead depends on what you want to do with the photo. If you want to keep it on your phone for later, you can save it to your camera roll. If you want to use it elsewhere — in a blog post, a presentation, or on another social platform — you'll need to download it to your computer first, then upload it where you need it. The method changes slightly depending on whether you're using a phone or a desktop browser, and whether the photo is yours or someone else's.
Instagram restricts copying and downloading to protect creators' work. When someone posts a photo, they own the copyright to that image. Making it hard to download discourages people from taking photos without permission and reposting them elsewhere. It's not a perfect system — determined people can still download photos using third-party tools — but it creates friction that encourages people to ask first or give credit.
Key Takeaways
- Saving a photo to your phone's camera roll works on both iPhone and Android through Instagram's built-in save feature, found in the three-dot menu on any post.
- Downloading someone else's photo to your computer requires a third-party tool or browser extension, since Instagram doesn't offer a direct download option on desktop.
- Your own photos can be downloaded directly from Instagram's web version by right-clicking and selecting "Save image as" — this only works for your own posts.
- Always check the photo owner's privacy settings and caption before using someone else's photo anywhere public, as reposting without permission can violate Instagram's terms.
How to save photos to your phone from Instagram
On both iPhone and Android, open the Instagram app and find the photo you want to save. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the post. A menu will appear with several options — select "Save" (on iPhone) or "Save post" (on Android). The photo is now saved to a private collection within Instagram called "Saved." You can view your saved photos anytime by tapping your profile icon, then the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and selecting "Saved."
This method saves the photo within Instagram itself, not to your phone's camera roll. If you want the photo on your camera roll so you can access it outside the Instagram app, you'll need to take a screenshot instead. On iPhone, press the side button and volume up button at the same time. On Android, press the power button and volume down button together. The screenshot will appear in your phone's Photos or Gallery app.
How to download photos from Instagram to your computer
If you're using Instagram on a web browser and the photo is your own, right-click directly on the image and select "Save image as" from the menu that appears. Choose where you want to save it on your computer and click Save. This method works only for your own posts — Instagram blocks right-click downloads on other people's photos.
To download someone else's photo, you'll need a third-party tool. Search for "Instagram photo downloader" in your web browser. Several free websites exist that let you paste an Instagram post URL and download the image. Copy the link to the post (tap the three-dot menu and select "Copy link"), paste it into the downloader website, and click the download button. The photo will save to your computer's Downloads folder. Be aware that using someone else's photo this way may violate Instagram's terms of service if you plan to repost it publicly without permission.
What to do if you want to repost someone else's photo
Reposting means sharing someone else's photo on your own Instagram account. The safest way to do this is to tag the original creator and give them credit in your caption. You can do this directly through Instagram by tapping the three-dot menu on the original post and selecting "Share to Story" or "Share to Feed" (if that option appears). This creates a repost that credits the original account automatically.
If that option isn't available, you can download the photo using the methods above, then upload it to your own account as a new post. In your caption, tag the original creator's account (use the @ symbol followed by their username) and mention that you're sharing their work. Many creators appreciate this, but some have specific rules about reposting — check their bio or recent posts to see if they've asked people not to repost their content.
Saving your own photos before you delete them
If you're planning to delete a photo from your Instagram account but want to keep a copy, download it first. On the web version, right-click the photo and save it as described above. On the app, take a screenshot. You can also use Instagram's "Download Your Data" feature, which lets you request a full archive of all your posts, stories, messages, and other account information. Go to Settings, then Account, then Download Data. Instagram will email you a file with everything within a few days.
This is especially useful if you're leaving Instagram or want a backup of years of photos. The downloaded file includes high-quality versions of all your posts, which is better than screenshots for keeping memories or using photos in a portfolio later.
Using downloaded photos on your own website or marketing materials
If you own the photo, you can use it anywhere — your website, email newsletters, social media, or printed materials. Downloaded photos from your own Instagram account are yours to use. Make sure you have the original file saved somewhere safe, separate from Instagram, in case you ever delete your account or Instagram changes its policies.
If the photo belongs to someone else, you need written permission before using it anywhere public. This includes your business website, marketing emails, or any other platform where people can see it. Contact the creator directly and explain what you want to do with the photo. Most creators are happy to say yes if you ask first and offer to credit them. If they say no, respect that — using the photo anyway violates copyright law and Instagram's terms of service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know if I download their photo?
No. Instagram doesn't notify creators when someone saves or downloads their photos. However, if you repost the photo publicly on your own account, they may see it if they check their tags or if someone tells them.
What's the difference between saving and downloading?
Saving stores the photo in Instagram's private "Saved" collection, visible only to you within the app. Downloading puts the actual image file on your phone or computer, where you can edit it, share it elsewhere, or keep it even if the original post is deleted.
Can I copy a photo from someone's Instagram story?
You can screenshot it the same way you screenshot any photo on your phone. Stories disappear after 24 hours, so screenshots are the only way to keep them. The creator won't be notified that you took a screenshot of their story.
Is it legal to use a third-party downloader tool?
Using the tool itself is legal, but what you do with the downloaded photo matters. If you download and repost someone else's photo without permission, that violates copyright and Instagram's terms. Downloading your own photos or photos you have permission to use is fine.