What you can and cannot copy from Instagram
You can copy text from Instagram captions, comments, and your own bio. You can also save images and videos to your phone, and take screenshots of anything on the screen. What you cannot do is copy someone else's image or video file directly from Instagram to repost it elsewhere — Instagram's design blocks that, and reposting without permission violates the platform's terms.
The methods differ depending on what you are copying and what device you use. Text copies differently on mobile than on desktop. Images require you to save them rather than copy them. Understanding which method works for your situation saves time and keeps you within Instagram's rules.
Key Takeaways
- Text from captions and comments copies to your clipboard on both mobile and desktop, but the steps differ between iPhone, Android, and web browsers.
- Images and videos cannot be copied as files directly from Instagram; you must save them to your phone or download them through your browser.
- Screenshots capture anything visible on your screen and work on all devices, but they include the entire screen rather than just the content you want.
- Reposting someone else's image or video without permission violates Instagram's terms, even if you can technically save the file.
Copying text on iPhone
Open the Instagram app and find the caption or comment you want to copy. Press and hold directly on the text until a menu appears with options including Copy. Tap Copy, and the text moves to your clipboard. You can then paste it into Notes, Messages, email, or any other app by opening that app, tapping where you want the text, and selecting Paste.
If you are copying from your own bio, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, then tap Edit Profile. Press and hold on the bio text, select Copy, and paste it wherever you need it. The same press-and-hold method works for any text field on Instagram — captions, comments, direct messages, and hashtags all copy the same way.
Copying text on Android
The process on Android is nearly identical to iPhone. Open Instagram, find the text you want, and press and hold on it until a menu appears. Tap Copy from the menu. The text is now in your clipboard and ready to paste into any other app on your phone.
One difference: on some Android phones, the menu may show slightly different wording or appear in a different location on the screen, but the Copy option is always present. If the menu does not appear on your first try, press and hold for a full second or two before releasing. Pasting works the same way as iPhone — open the destination app, tap where you want the text, and select Paste.
Copying text on desktop and web browsers
Go to Instagram.com in your web browser and find the post with the text you want. Click once on the caption or comment to select it, then use Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac) to copy. The text moves to your clipboard. Open a text editor, email, or document and use Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac) to paste.
If clicking once does not select the text, try triple-clicking on the caption to select the entire paragraph. Some captions are formatted in a way that requires this. You can also click at the start of the text, hold Shift, and click at the end to select exactly what you want before copying.
Saving images and videos from Instagram
Instagram does not allow you to copy image or video files directly. Instead, you save them to your phone. On iPhone, open the post, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select Save. The image or video moves to a folder called Saved in your profile. On Android, the steps are identical — tap the three dots and select Save.
If you want to download the file to your phone's camera roll or gallery (rather than just saving it within Instagram), you need to use a different method. On desktop, right-click on the image and select Save Image As, then choose where on your computer to store it. On mobile, this option is not built into Instagram, so you would need to take a screenshot instead, which captures the image as a photo file on your phone.
Taking screenshots on all devices
A screenshot captures everything visible on your screen as an image file. On iPhone, press the Side button and Volume Up button at the same time, then release. On Android, press Power and Volume Down together. On Windows, press Print Screen or use Windows+Shift+S to open the screenshot tool. On Mac, press Command+Shift+3 for a full screen or Command+Shift+4 to select just part of the screen.
Screenshots are useful when you want to capture a post exactly as it appears, including the username, timestamp, and any comments. The downside is that the screenshot includes everything on your screen at that moment — the status bar, any notifications, and parts of the interface you may not want. If you only need the image itself, saving it through Instagram's Save feature is cleaner.
What happens when you try to copy a video
Videos behave differently from images on Instagram. You cannot copy a video file the way you copy an image. If you press and hold on a video, the menu that appears offers Save and Share options, but not Copy. Tap Save to add it to your Saved folder within Instagram.
If you want to download the video file to your phone or computer, you need to use a third-party tool — Instagram does not provide this feature built in. Taking a screenshot or screen recording captures the video as it plays, but this creates a lower-quality file. For most purposes, saving the video within Instagram and rewatching it there is the intended workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy a photo from someone else's post and repost it?
Technically you can save the image, but doing so without permission violates Instagram's terms of service. Reposting someone else's content without credit or permission can result in your post being removed or your account being restricted. Always ask the original creator first or use Instagram's Share feature, which credits them automatically.
Why does the copy option not appear when I press and hold?
Some text on Instagram cannot be copied — for example, hashtags sometimes behave differently, and text within images (rather than captions) cannot be copied at all. If you are trying to copy text from within an image, you will need to type it out manually or use a separate tool designed to read text from images. Try pressing and holding for a full second or two, as the menu can be slow to appear.
Is there a way to copy an entire Instagram post with all the comments?
Not directly through Instagram. You can copy the caption separately, take a screenshot of the post, or use your browser's developer tools on desktop to access the underlying code. For most purposes, taking a screenshot or copying the caption text separately is the simplest approach.
Can I copy text from Instagram Stories?
No. Stories are designed to disappear and do not allow copying, screenshotting, or downloading. If you try to screenshot a Story, the person who posted it receives a notification. If you need text from a Story, you will have to type it out manually or ask the person to share it another way.
What is the difference between saving and downloading on Instagram?
Saving adds a post to your Saved folder within the Instagram app, where only you can see it. Downloading moves the file to your phone's camera roll or computer, where you can access it outside of Instagram. Instagram's built-in Save feature is faster, but downloading gives you the file itself to use in other apps or share elsewhere.