How to download long Instagram videos (IGTV / Videos)

IGTV was one of Instagram's most-used formats for long videos. But in 2022, Instagram killed it as a separate product and unified it with the normal feed. Now any long Instagram video (the old IGTVs) downloads the same way. In this guide I'll explain how and what changed.

What happened to IGTV?

IGTV (Instagram TV) launched in 2018 as a separate app to compete with YouTube. It had:

• Its own separate app
• Long vertical videos (up to 60 minutes for some creators)
• Its own feed within Instagram
• Ad monetization (limited)

But it never had the success Instagram hoped. In 2022, Meta decided to:

• Remove the IGTV app
• Unify all long videos in the normal feed
• Just call them "videos"
• Keep old IGTV URLs working for compatibility

In practice: if you have an old IGTV link, it still works. And if you upload a long video today, it appears in Instagram's normal feed as a video.

How to download long Instagram videos

1. Copy the video link

Works with all URL formats:

• instagram.com/p/XXXXXXX/ — normal post with video
• instagram.com/tv/XXXXXXX/ — old IGTV
• instagram.com/reel/XXXXXXX/ — Reel (short)

To copy:

1. Open the video on Instagram
2. Tap the 3 dots or Share button
3. Select Copy link

2. Paste it in ReelSavr

Go to reelsavr.net, paste the link and tap Search video. You'll see the thumbnail, author, duration, and quality options.

3. Pick quality and download

For long videos I recommend:

• 1080p: if you need max quality (archive, editing)
• 720p: if watching on phone (enough quality, less space)
• 480p: only for very slow connections
• Audio MP3: if it's voice content (podcast, talk)

Approximate file sizes

To plan space:

• 10-minute video at 1080p: 200-400 MB
• 30-minute video at 1080p: 600 MB - 1 GB
• 60-minute video at 1080p: 1-2 GB
• 30-minute video at 720p: 300-500 MB

Typical use cases

Long interviews

Many channels post 30-60 minute interviews on Instagram. If you want to listen offline during commute, downloading as MP3 is ideal — much smaller, and video doesn't add much to an interview.

Tutorials

If you find a good cooking, exercise, or tech tutorial on Instagram lasting over 5 minutes, downloading at 720p lets you reference it without internet.

Archived lives

When a creator does a live and saves it to their feed afterward, those download as normal videos with ReelSavr.

Q&A and AMA sessions

"Ask Me Anything" sessions typically last 20-40 minutes. Useful to grab as MP3 for reviewing specific answers.

Limitations

Private accounts

Same as everything else: if the account is private, we can't process the video.

Deleted videos

If the creator removed the video, no way to recover it from outside.

Real-time live broadcasts

While a live airs, you can't download. Wait for it to end and the creator to save it to their profile as a video.

Age-restricted videos

Some videos require age confirmation. ReelSavr can't pass that check, so those don't work.

The trick for LONG videos

If you'll download many long videos (a whole channel, for example), plan for:

1. Space: 30 long videos at 1080p = 30+ GB
2. Connection: stable WiFi, not mobile data
3. Time: with 1-download-per-minute rate limit, plan hours
4. Organization: create folders by creator or topic before downloading
5. Smart quality: 720p for video, MP3 for pure audio

Frequently asked questions

Does IGTV still exist?

Not as a separate product. In 2022 Instagram unified IGTV with normal feed videos. What used to be IGTV is now just 'videos' that can last up to 60 minutes.

Does ReelSavr work with 60-minute long videos?

Yes. No duration limit. Just remember a 60-minute video at 1080p can weigh 1-2 GB.

How do I tell IGTV from a Reel?

IGTVs/long videos are horizontal or vertical but over 90 seconds. Reels are vertical and max 90 seconds. ReelSavr handles both equally well.

Does it work with the profile "Videos" tab?

Yes. Any video accessible on a user's public profile we can process.