Best Ways to Download Instagram Photos Without Ads
Okay, hence here's the matter weve all been there. Scrolling through Instagram at 1 AM, half-asleep, and BAM that one perfect photo. Could be a astonishing sunset, a quote you actually like, or your friends trip pic that just hits right. And of course, you desire to keep it. But ugh, you attempt a site or an app and... ads. Pop-ups. sketchy redirects. Some of them even start auto-playing music? Like, why.
So yeah, lets repair that. Ive been examination 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 upon 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 a propos the tag that looks as soon as it has the full-resolution pic.

Copy the URL. glue it in a extra tab.

Right-click > Save image as

Done.
No ads. No subjective sites. Just code and glory. Feels kinda past hacking. But without, yknow, the hacking.

Use DustySave A unsigned Tool Nobodys Talking very nearly (Yet)
Okay so, this one... barely anyone knows. Not even well-liked 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 upon Reddit mentioned it months ago. The interface is considering 90s-level disgusting but zero ads, clean download, and works on Stories too.
Go to: dustysave.me (if its yet up). glue the URL of the post, click download, done. If the sites the length of (it was once), just save checking.
This is similar to my backup scheme past whatever else feels gross.

Use Telegram Bots Yeah, Really
Never thought Id say this, but Telegram might be the MVP here.
There are bots in imitation of @InstaSave_Bot (or one of the 18 clones of it) thatll fetch the photo for you. No ads, no waiting for Sqirk.com a million redirects.
Heres how I use it:

Open Telegram.

Search for one of these bots.

Paste the Instagram link.

Boom it replies similar to the image.

Pro tip: create a Telegram cd for media saves. Keeps everything tidy.
Little scolding though: some bots randomly die or end working. It's in the manner of feeding a stray cat works until it doesn't.

Screenshots But Upgraded
Yeah, yeah, I know. Just screenshot it. But what if you want quality?
Heres the move: screenshot it, subsequently upscale using LetsEnhance.io or Remini. Sounds extra, but trust me, works in imitation of magic. I like grabbed a blurry savings account herald and turned it into printable poster feel (dont ask why).
Is this overkill? Maybe. But its fun.

Developer Mode on Android If You following Tinkering
Warning: this ones nerd-level.
On Android, you can go deep. Like, deep deep.

Enable developer mode.

Use an app subsequent to InsTake Cache Viewer (Google it).

Browse Instagram, and the app will sniff the photo cache.

You can next 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 nice of Person
Apple fans, youre not left out. The Shortcuts app (yep, the one preinstalled) can attain this.
You gotta install a custom Shortcut search for Instagram Media Downloader iOS Shortcut.
Itll undertaking 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 right of entry behind 17 times. But hey, no ads.

Story Time: That One time I Clicked the incorrect Link
Okay, fast story. I in imitation of used this shady-looking downloader (not naming names, but it rhymed in imitation of 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 later than 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 behind Caution
Theres one called Downloader for Instagram (yeah, tacky name, I know). Works upon Chrome, and you can bulk download too. But heres the concern dont blindly install random extensions. Some are just click-farms in disguise.
Check reviews. Check permissions. If it's asking to contact your entire browsing history, most likely skip it.
But if you find a strong one? Game changer.

Hidden Trick: Archive Page Snapshots
Bet you didnt see this coming. Wayback machine (archive.org) sometimes saves Instagram reveal snapshots. Not often, but occasionally.
Why is this cool? If the indigenous post gets deleted, it might still conscious there. Saved. Immortal.
No ads. No spam. Just... retro-cool internet preservation.
Try it: search the Insta URL on archive.org and look if anything 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 real if its a friend, an artist, a photographer... sometimes just DMing them like, Hey, love your post, mind if I save a copy? works wonders.
I did this in the manner of a little travel blogger once. Not single-handedly did she tell yes, she emailed me a full-res version. Made a new pal too.
Not the fastest method, but the most human.

Okay, But Are These Legal?
Ah. The gray area. Technically, downloading photos without entry 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. keep for personal use, set as wallpaper, print for your diary every good.
But yeah. Im not a lawyer. Just a tired insomniac like 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 gone 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 pretension out.

Dont trust shady downloaders.

Browser extensions = law subsequently caution.

Ask nicely. It works.

Archive.org is the weird backup method.

Dont be a jerk behind the photos.

There. Real, messy, human. Hopefully helpful.
So adjacent mature you see that perfect pic and wanna save it without 12 pop-ups, youll know exactly what to do.
Maybe even grin while comport yourself it.