Best Ways to Download Instagram Photos Without Ads
Okay, as a result here's the business 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 vacation pic that just hits right. And of course, you want to save it. But ugh, you try a site or an app and... ads. Pop-ups. sketchy redirects. Some of them even start auto-playing music? Like, why.
So yeah, lets fix that. Ive been psychiatry 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 little 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 publish you want.

Right-click and select Inspect or hit Ctrl+Shift+I (Windows) / Cmd+Option+I (Mac).

Dig just about the tag that looks in the same way 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 sketchy sites. Just code and glory. Feels kinda next hacking. But without, yknow, the hacking.

Use DustySave A mysterious Tool Nobodys Talking practically (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 with 90s-level disgusting but zero ads, tidy download, and works on Stories too.
Go to: dustysave.me (if its still up). paste the URL of the post, click download, done. If the sites all along (it was once), just keep checking.
This is once my backup plot in the same way as all else feels gross.

Use Telegram Bots Yeah, Really
Never thought Id tell 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 a million redirects.
Heres how to see private instagram I use it:

Open Telegram.

Search for one of these bots.

Paste the Instagram link.

Boom it replies like the image.

Pro tip: create a Telegram cassette for media saves. Keeps everything tidy.
Little reprimand though: some bots randomly die or end working. It's with 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, after that upscale using LetsEnhance.io or Remini. Sounds extra, but trust me, works subsequently magic. I subsequent to grabbed a blurry financial credit post and turned it into printable commercial character (dont question why).
Is this overkill? Maybe. But its fun.

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

Enable developer mode.

Use an app behind InsTake Cache Viewer (Google it).

Browse Instagram, 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 on iPhone If Youre That kind of Person
Apple fans, youre not left out. The Shortcuts app (yep, the one preinstalled) can get this.
You gotta install a custom Shortcut search for Instagram Media Downloader iOS Shortcut.
Itll proceed happening in your share sheet. Tap it after copying the Insta URL, and boom: media downloaded into Photos.
Annoying part? iOS might ask for admission next 17 times. But hey, no ads.

Story Time: That One time I Clicked the wrong Link
Okay, quick story. I subsequently used this shady-looking downloader (not naming names, but it rhymed when Insta-Grammer Saver). Clicked the download button and it redirected me to a casino. A literal slot robot game started auto-playing in unusual tab.
I panicked, closed everything, cleared my cookies, felt later 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 gone Caution
Theres one called Downloader for Instagram (yeah, tacky name, I know). Works upon Chrome, and you can bulk download too. But heres the matter dont blindly install random extensions. Some are just click-farms in disguise.
Check reviews. Check permissions. If it's asking to right of entry your entire browsing history, most likely skip it.
But if you find a sound one? Game changer.

Hidden Trick: Archive Page Snapshots
Bet you didnt look this coming. Wayback machine (archive.org) sometimes saves Instagram name snapshots. Not often, but occasionally.
Why is this cool? If the native publish gets deleted, it might nevertheless liven up there. Saved. Immortal.
No ads. No spam. Just... retro-cool internet preservation.
Try it: search the Insta URL upon archive.org and look if anything pops up. If it does, right-click the image and save.
Boom. Internet archaeology.

Why Not Just ask 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 taking into account a small travel blogger once. Not abandoned did she tell yes, she emailed me a full-res version. Made a further 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. save for personal use, set as wallpaper, print for your diary every good.
But yeah. Im not a lawyer. Just a weary insomniac next 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 later 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 mannerism out.

Dont trust shady downloaders.

Browser extensions = conduct yourself taking into account caution.

Ask nicely. It works.

Archive.org is the weird backup method.

Dont be a jerk once the photos.

There. Real, messy, human. Hopefully helpful.
So bordering period you look that perfect pic and wanna keep it without 12 pop-ups, youll know exactly what to do.
Maybe even grin even if do something it.