Guide on How to Save Instagram Stories

Guide on How to Save Instagram Stories
June 16, 2023
Reading time
XX
min

Instagram, since its launch in October 2010, is among the most popular social media channels today. The latest data shows that the app has 1.44 billion users worldwide. Instagram has evolved from an image-sharing platform to a channel where people can communicate through other forms of media.

Since social media is rapidly changing and growing, many new apps are being developed that will entice users. The birth of these new technologies paved the way for Instagram to offer new and unique features to retain and attract users. One of these is Instagram Stories.

But first, what is an Instagram story?

What is an Instagram Story?

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An Instagram story is a feature allowing users to capture photos and add effects, such as stickers and music. What makes it unique is that posts disappear after 24 hours of publicizing. Stories can be anything from a simple photo or an Instagram video embedded with music.

The maximum time for each story is 15 seconds. If the post is longer than this, it will appear as several story posts.

These story posts won’t be visible on the user’s profile grid. It will only appear as a bright, colorful circle surrounding the profile picture.

Followers will know a new story is up once they see the profile picture at the top row of their feed. Those who want to view the story must tap on the profile picture.

For public accounts, these Insta stories may also show up on the Search and Explore section of the Instagram app and on shared stories. Appearance on the shared stories is possible when users add stickers related to an event (e.g., an election or a national holiday).

It’s also possible to share Instagram stories on your Facebook profile.

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Different Ways To Save and Download Instagram Stories

Image by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash

Instagram Stories are one of the best features of Instagram. They’re an easy way to share what’s happening in your life with your followers. You can add many elements to your Stories, which can take time and effort. It would be a waste if you won’t see them again after 24 hours!

Stories are unlike an Instagram photo, which is easy to save on your Instagram account or screenshot when you feel like it. On the other hand, Instagram Reels and live videos get saved on your profile, so you don’t need to worry about finding them later. For Insta Stories, they’re gone forever.

The good news is you can save Instagram stories on your camera roll and use them later!

Follow these step-by-step tutorials to download Instagram stories.

Saving Instagram Stories for Android

There are two ways to save Insta stories using an android device: before and after you’ve shared them on your profile.

You can download Instagram stories before sharing them on your account by tapping the three dots in the top right corner. Tap on the downward arrow to save it to your camera roll. You can do this for a photo or live video you’ve taken.

The downloaded version will save the elements you’ve added, from stickers to GIFs. However, you won’t be able to save it with the music you’ve chosen for your story.

Alternatively, you can save an Instagram story you’ve already shared on your profile. Here’s how:

  • Go to your story to open it.
  • Tap the three dots at the bottom of the story you want to save.
  • Tap Save Video.

Saving Instagram Stories for iOS

Saving an IG story using an iOS device is similar to downloading with an android device. You can also do it before and after you’ve shared your story.

Before sharing, you can click on the downward button that will show after tapping the three dots at the top of your screen.

If you want to save the story after sharing, follow these steps:

  • Open the story you want to save.
  • Tap the three dots you see at the bottom of the post.
  • Tap Save.

Unlike android, iPhone users can save individual stories or several stories into one video.

Saving Instagram Stories using web apps

Unfortunately, the download and save option isn’t available yet for PC and Mac users. If you want to have them on your desktop or Mac instead, you’d need to install third-party apps to do this.

Some of these apps, available on both the App Store and Play Store,  are free. Others that offer premium features may require a subscription fee. Either way, they will allow you to save the content from your favorite accounts in one place.

The saving method may differ from one app to another, but it usually follows these steps:

  • Download and install an Instagram Story downloader.
  • Some apps may be added as a plug-in on your Chrome or Safari browser.
  • Open the app, and connect your Instagram account.
  • After the integration, you can choose the stories you want to download.

Saving Instagram Stories via Highlights

Say you don’t want to keep your posted IG Story on your phone. There’s an option where your posted story won’t disappear after the 24 hours is up. It’s by adding the story to your Instagram Highlights. The Instagram app allows users to keep their stories in a Story Archive. But they can best showcase these posts in the Stories Highlights section.

Highlights is another feature for Instagram Stories that allows users to save their posts beyond 24 hours. Users can choose stories and segment them into different categories.

Here’s how you can create a highlight:

  • Open your Instagram app. Head to your profile.
  • You’ll see a box with a plus sign in the top right corner. Tap on it.
  • Tap Story Highlight. This will show you the active stories and archived ones that you have.
  • Choose the post you want to add.
  • Tap Next.
  • The next screen will allow you to rename the highlight and change the cover photo.

Another way to save Instagram stories via Highlights is to:

  • Open up an Instagram story.
  • Tap on the Highlights icon at the bottom of the story post.
  • Choose the Highlights album where you want to save the post.

Once done, you’ll see the highlight circle on your profile. These story highlights will play once others choose to see what’s in that particular album.

While the stories won’t be on your device, they are on your profile. Note, though, these highlights won’t be part of your feed.

Saving other people's Instagram stories

The process of saving your own Instagram stories is pretty simple. However, you may also want to save other people’s Instagram stories. For example, a post you wish to duplicate or a video you want to rewatch later.

One way to do this is to do a screen recording of their posts.

  • Go to the Instagram account of the one who posted the Insta story.
  • Choose the IG story you want to record.
  • If you’ve added your screen recorder app to your control center, you can swipe down to choose the Screen Recording button.
  • Wait for the three-second countdown.
  • The app will start recording the story as it plays.
  • Once the story is up, you can stop the screen recording and save the video.

Similarly, you can also install a video downloader to save the active stories of other users.

Instagram won’t send a report to the user if you screenshot their posts or do a screen recording of their posts. However, they will send notifications to the user when you do this to their disappearing video or post sent via direct message.

They will inform users via a small hatched circle beside the video. A screenshot will also have the word “Screenshot” under the main message page.

Before doing a screen recording, ask for permission whenever possible. It’s against Instagram’s Community Guidelines to share somebody else’s work without their consent. Other users or the owner can report your account.

Did you know? Instagram Stories are one powerful marketing tool. SproutSocial stated that 83 percent of marketers use Stories to bump up their influencer marketing efforts.

Follow Best Practices for Downloading Insta Stories

Image by Erik Lucatero on Unsplash

Instagram Stories is a nifty feature that allows users to showcase their personality. It has many features that can help you connect with your followers.

There are many ways to save and download your own Instagram stories. But when it comes to other people’s intellectual and privacy rights, it’s best to keep them within ethical standards.

With Archive, you can save all these moments forever. Find out how you can organize all your posts in one place.

FAQs on How To Save Instagram Stories

Can you download Instagram stories with music?

Yes, it’s possible to do this, but only if you use music that you have along with the video you posted. However, you cannot download Instagram stories with music directly from the app. A workaround is to use third-party apps.

Note:  You must be wary of issues when uploading copyrighted music. Instagram has the Sound Collection that contains music users can use for free.

Can you save someone else’s Instagram stories anonymously?

Yes, other users won’t know if you made a screen recording of their post or if you saved their Instagram Stories using a third-party app.

Is it possible to download an Instagram story from a private account?

You can only download an IG story from a private account when you are a follower. If you’re not, there’s no way for you to download their IG stories, even if you use a third-party app.

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Elevate your UGC management from chaos to artistry with Archive.

Begin using Archive for free and discover the amount of time you can save with its powerful capabilities at your disposal.