Best Ways to Download Instagram Photos Without Ads
Okay, for that reason here's the business weve all 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 trip pic that just hits right. And of course, you desire to save 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 scrutiny 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 on desktop (not the app, not your phone).

Go to the post you want.

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

Dig as regards the tag that looks in the same way as it has the full-resolution pic.

Copy the URL. glue it in a other tab.

Right-click > Save image as

Done.
No ads. No sketchy sites. Just code and glory. Feels kinda in the manner of hacking. But without, yknow, the hacking.

Use DustySave A run of the mill Tool Nobodys Talking more or less (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 once 90s-level disgusting but zero ads, clean download, and works upon Stories too.
Go to: dustysave.me (if its yet up). paste the URL of the post, click download, done. If the sites beside (it was once), just keep checking.
This is following my backup plan behind all else feels gross.

Use Telegram Bots Yeah, Really
Never thought Id tell this, but Telegram might be the MVP here.
There are bots taking into account @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 I use it:

Open Telegram.

Search for one of these bots.

Paste the Instagram link.

Boom it replies subsequent to the image.

Pro tip: create a Telegram baby book for media saves. Keeps anything tidy.
Little reproach though: some bots randomly die or stop working. It's later than 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, later upscale using LetsEnhance.io or Remini. Sounds extra, but trust me, works gone magic. I following grabbed a blurry bill post and turned it into printable classified ad feel (dont ask why).
Is this overkill? Maybe. But its fun.

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

Enable developer mode.

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

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

You can next keep 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 realize this.
You gotta install a custom Shortcut search for Instagram Media Downloader iOS Shortcut.
Itll doing up in your portion sheet. Tap it after copying the Insta URL, and boom: media downloaded into Photos.
Annoying part? iOS might question for access following 17 times. But hey, no ads.

Story Time: That One times I Clicked the incorrect Link
Okay, fast story. I similar to used this shady-looking downloader (not naming names, but it rhymed later Insta-Grammer Saver). Clicked the download private video from instagram button and it redirected me to a casino. A literal slot robot game started auto-playing in unorthodox tab.
I panicked, closed everything, cleared my cookies, felt once 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 in imitation of Caution
Theres one called Downloader for Instagram (yeah, tacky name, I know). Works on 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 read your entire browsing history, maybe skip it.
But if you find a unassailable one? Game changer.

Hidden Trick: Archive Page Snapshots
Bet you didnt see this coming. Wayback robot (archive.org) sometimes saves Instagram make known snapshots. Not often, but occasionally.
Why is this cool? If the original post gets deleted, it might still liven up there. Saved. Immortal.
No ads. No spam. Just... retro-cool internet preservation.
Try it: search the Insta URL on archive.org and see 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 genuine if its a friend, an artist, a photographer... sometimes just DMing them like, Hey, love your post, mind if I keep a copy? works wonders.
I did this with a little travel blogger once. Not deserted 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. keep for personal use, set as wallpaper, print for your diary every good.
But yeah. Im not a lawyer. Just a tired insomniac considering 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 subsequently 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 = play when caution.

Ask nicely. It works.

Archive.org is the weird backup method.

Dont be a jerk later than the photos.

There. Real, messy, human. Hopefully helpful.
So neighboring time you see that perfect pic and wanna keep it without 12 pop-ups, youll know exactly what to do.
Maybe even grin even though affect it.