Best Ways to Download Instagram Photos Without Ads
Okay, consequently here's the concern weve every been there. Scrolling through Instagram at 1 AM, half-asleep, and BAM that one absolute photo. Could be a stunning sunset, a quote you actually like, or your friends trip pic that just hits right. And of course, you desire to save it. But ugh, you try a site or an app and... ads. Pop-ups. undependable redirects. Some of them even start auto-playing music? Like, why.
So yeah, lets fix that. Ive been testing ways (read: obsessively Googling at 2 AM) to download Instagram photos without drowning in ads or malware threats. Here's what I found. Some of its weird, some genius, a few probably a tiny illegal just kidding (sort of). Either way, it works. Buckle up.
The "Inspect Element" Trick No Tools, No Ads
This one's my OG method. Super nerdy but weirdly satisfying.
Open Instagram on desktop (not the app, not your phone).
Go to the publicize you want.
Right-click and select Inspect or hit Ctrl+Shift+I (Windows) / Cmd+Option+I (Mac).
Dig regarding the tag that looks when it has the full-resolution pic.
Copy the URL. glue it in a additional tab.
Right-click > Save image as
Done.
No ads. No undependable sites. Just code and glory. Feels kinda taking into consideration hacking. But without, yknow, the hacking.
Use DustySave A unmemorable Tool Nobodys Talking more or less (Yet)
Okay so, this one... barely anyone knows. Not even popular yet. It's called DustySave (totally not sponsored, I swear).
Weird name, but here's the kicker its ad-free because its technically not public. Some dev on Reddit mentioned it months ago. The interface is in the manner of 90s-level disgusting but zero ads, clean download, and works on Stories too.
Go to: dustysave.me (if its yet up). paste the URL of the post, click download, done. If the sites by the side of (it was once), just save checking.
This is later than my backup plan gone anything else feels gross.
Use Telegram Bots Yeah, Really
Never thought Id tell this, but Telegram might be the MVP here.
There are bots bearing in mind @InstaSave_Bot (or one of the 18 clones of it) thatll fetch the photo for you. No ads, no waiting for a million redirects.
Heres how I use it:
Open Telegram.
Search for one of these bots.
Paste the Instagram link.
Boom it replies as soon as the image.
Pro tip: make a Telegram cd for media saves. Keeps whatever tidy.
Little warning though: some bots randomly die or stop working. It's similar to feeding a stray cat works until it doesn't.
Screenshots But Upgraded
Yeah, yeah, I know. Just screenshot it. But what if you desire quality?
Heres the move: screenshot it, then upscale using LetsEnhance.io or Remini. Sounds extra, but trust me, works once magic. I as soon as grabbed a blurry checking account pronounce and turned it into printable poster setting (dont question why).
Is this overkill? Maybe. But its fun.
Developer Mode upon Android If You bearing in mind Tinkering
Warning: this ones nerd-level.
On Android, you can go deep. Like, deep deep.
Enable developer mode.
Use an app in imitation of InsTake Cache Viewer (Google it).
Browse private instagram viewer, and the app will sniff the photo cache.
You can later save anything, even stuff you viewed hours ago.
Kinda creepy? A bit. But effective. Just dont use it to snoop.
Use Shortcuts upon iPhone If Youre That kind of Person
Apple fans, youre not left out. The Shortcuts app (yep, the one preinstalled) can realize this.
You gotta install a custom Shortcut search for Instagram Media Downloader iOS Shortcut.
Itll ham it up taking place in your portion sheet. Tap it after copying the Insta URL, and boom: media downloaded into Photos.
Annoying part? iOS might question for admission with 17 times. But hey, no ads.
Story Time: That One era I Clicked the wrong Link
Okay, quick story. I in the same way as used this shady-looking downloader (not naming names, but it rhymed taking into account Insta-Grammer Saver). Clicked the download button and it redirected me to a casino. A literal slot machine game started auto-playing in substitute tab.
I panicked, closed everything, cleared my cookies, felt past I needed to sage my laptop. Moral of the story: if it looks sketchy, it probably is.
Thats how I found my golden list of ad-free methods. Trauma-driven innovation, I guess?
Use Browser Extensions with Caution
Theres one called Downloader for Instagram (yeah, tacky name, I know). Works on Chrome, and you can bulk download too. But heres the thing dont blindly install random extensions. Some are just click-farms in disguise.
Check reviews. Check permissions. If it's asking to entrance your entire browsing history, most likely skip it.
But if you locate a sealed one? Game changer.
Hidden Trick: Archive Page Snapshots
Bet you didnt look this coming. Wayback robot (archive.org) sometimes saves Instagram read out snapshots. Not often, but occasionally.
Why is this cool? If the original name gets deleted, it might yet alive there. Saved. Immortal.
No ads. No spam. Just... retro-cool internet preservation.
Try it: search the Insta URL upon archive.org and look if whatever pops up. If it does, right-click the image and save.
Boom. Internet archaeology.
Why Not Just question the Person?
I know. Wild thought, right? But for genuine if its a friend, an artist, a photographer... sometimes just DMing them like, Hey, adore your post, mind if I save a copy? works wonders.
I did this afterward a little travel blogger once. Not solitary did she tell yes, she emailed me a full-res version. Made a other pal too.
Not the fastest method, but the most human.
Okay, But Are These Legal?
Ah. The gray area. Technically, downloading photos without admission can breach Instagrams terms. But like... everyone does it.
Just dont use the images for profit, or repost them pretending theyre yours. Thats not cool. save for personal use, set as wallpaper, print for your diary all good.
But yeah. Im not a lawyer. Just a tired insomniac afterward too many bookmarked tools.
Recap (Messy, But Honest)
If you just skimmed this (no judgment), heres the not-so-clean summary:
Use examine Element if you taking into account feeling smart.
DustySave is a lowkey goldmine.
Telegram bots slap.
Screenshots arent lame upscale em.
Android users can go full hacker mode.
iOS users can Shortcuts their exaggeration out.
Dont trust shady downloaders.
Browser extensions = piece of legislation bearing in mind caution.
Ask nicely. It works.
Archive.org is the weird backup method.
Dont be a jerk afterward the photos.
There. Real, messy, human. Hopefully helpful.
So next times you look that absolute pic and wanna keep it without 12 pop-ups, youll know exactly what to do.
Maybe even grin even though doing it.