How to Download IGTV Videos
Figuring out how to download IGTV videos is harder than it should be. Instagram merged IGTV into its main video tab years ago, but long-form videos — podcasts, tutorials, full interviews, sermons, and webinars — still live on the platform, and Instagram gives you no save button for them. The good news is that the same link-based method that works for Reels works for these long videos too.
The process is simple and works entirely in your browser. You find the long video on Instagram, tap Share, choose Copy Link, then paste that link into a free online downloader such as the one on our <a href="/instagram-video-downloader/">Instagram video downloader</a> page. The downloader fetches the file directly from Instagram's servers and hands you a save link — no account, no app install, no signup.
One honest caveat before you start: this only works for public videos. If the account is private, or the video was shared with a limited audience, no legitimate tool can download it — anyone claiming otherwise is either misleading you or asking for your login, which you should never share. With that understood, here is the exact workflow.
By using this tool you agree to our Terms of Service — download only content you have the right to save.
How to download in 3 steps
- 1
Find the long video and copy its link
Open the Instagram app or instagram.com and navigate to the long-form video — it may sit under the Video tab of a profile or appear in your feed. Tap the three dots (⋯) on the post or the paper-plane Share icon below it, then tap Copy Link. The video's URL is now on your clipboard.
- 2
Paste the link into the downloader
Open your browser and go to the <a href="/instagram-video-downloader/">Instagram video downloader</a>. Paste the copied link into the input box and press Download. The tool will fetch the video and show you the available quality options pulled from Instagram itself.
- 3
Choose quality and save the file
Pick the quality you want — Instagram serves long videos up to 1080p, so choose the highest available option. Tap the download button and the file saves to your device: your Downloads folder on desktop, or your gallery/photos app on mobile.
Why use Ultra Video Downloader?
No app to install
Everything happens in your browser, on any device. You avoid third-party downloader apps that demand storage permissions, run background ads, or ask for your Instagram login.
Honest HD quality
You get the file exactly as Instagram serves it — typically up to 1080p for long videos. There is no fake upscaling — Instagram does not serve higher resolutions, so nobody else can either.
Built for long videos
Unlike tools optimized only for short Reels, this workflow handles full-length uploads — hour-long podcasts, classes, and interviews — in a single download, since the same link mechanism applies to every public video post.
Free and unlimited
There is no daily cap, no watermark added to the file, and no account required. Save as many public long videos as you need for offline watching.
Private content stays private
Only public videos can be downloaded. If a video comes from a private account or a restricted audience, the tool cannot fetch it — and neither can any legitimate alternative. That limitation is a feature, not a bug.
Frequently asked questions
Can I download long Instagram videos on iPhone?+
Yes. Copy the video link in the Instagram app, paste it into the downloader in Safari, and download. On iPhone the file lands in the Files app under Downloads; from there you can move it into Photos. The steps are identical to desktop — nothing extra to install.
What is the maximum quality I can get?+
You receive whatever Instagram serves for that video, which for long-form uploads is typically up to 1080p. A downloader cannot create quality that Instagram never stored, so ignore any tool advertising resolutions Instagram does not serve.
Does this work for videos longer than an hour?+
Yes, length is not the limiting factor — the link-based method fetches the same file Instagram streams, however long it is. Very long videos simply produce larger files, so make sure you have free storage space before downloading.
Why does the downloader fail on some videos?+
The two common reasons are that the video is from a private account or it was deleted or made unavailable since you copied the link. Re-copy a fresh link from a public post and try again. If it is private, no legitimate tool will work.
Is downloading IGTV videos legal?+
Downloading a video you have permission to watch is generally fine for personal offline use, but re-uploading someone else's content without permission can violate copyright and Instagram's terms. Always credit the creator and never repost their work as your own.
Do I need to log in to Instagram?+
No. The downloader only needs the public link, so your Instagram account — and your password — stays completely out of the process. Never enter your login on any downloader site.
That is the whole process: copy the link, paste it in, pick your quality, and save. It works for old IGTV-era uploads and today's long video posts alike, on any device with a browser. Bookmark the <a href="/guides/">guides library</a> for platform-specific walkthroughs, and remember the golden rule — public videos only, and always respect the creator's work.