Best Ways to Download Instagram Photos Without Ads
Okay, consequently here's the situation weve all been there. Scrolling through Instagram at 1 AM, half-asleep, and BAM that one perfect 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 keep it. But ugh, you attempt a site or an app and... ads. Pop-ups. untrustworthy redirects. Some of them even start auto-playing music? Like, why.
So yeah, lets fix that. Ive been laboratory analysis 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 on desktop (not the app, not your phone).

Go to the reveal you want.

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

Dig regarding the tag that looks past it has the full-resolution pic.

Copy the URL. paste it in a new tab.

Right-click > Save image as

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

Use DustySave A shadowy Tool Nobodys Talking more or less (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 subsequent to 90s-level disgusting but zero ads, tidy download, and works on Stories too.
Go to: dustysave.me (if its yet up). paste the URL of the post, click download, done. If the sites alongside (it was once), just save checking.
This is like my backup scheme in the same way as all else feels gross.

Use Telegram Bots Yeah, Really
Never thought Id say this, but Telegram might be the MVP here.
There are bots afterward @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 later the image.

Pro tip: make a Telegram cd for media saves. Keeps whatever tidy.
Little scolding though: some bots randomly die or stop working. It's afterward 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, after that upscale using LetsEnhance.io or Remini. Sounds extra, but trust me, works later magic. I when grabbed a blurry relation proclaim and turned it into printable personal ad setting (dont question why).
Is this overkill? Maybe. But its fun.

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

Enable developer mode.

Use an app in imitation of InsTake Cache Viewer (Google it).

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

You can after that 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 get this.
You gotta install a custom Shortcut search for Instagram Media Downloader iOS Shortcut.
Itll take effect up in your allowance sheet. Tap it after copying the Insta URL, and boom: media downloaded into Photos.
Annoying part? iOS might question for right of entry past 17 times. But hey, no ads.

Story Time: That One grow old I Clicked the incorrect Link
Okay, quick story. I taking into account used this shady-looking downloader (not naming names, but it rhymed subsequent to Insta-Grammer Saver). Clicked the download button and it redirected me to a casino. A literal slot machine game started auto-playing in different tab.
I panicked, closed everything, cleared my cookies, felt like I needed to sage my laptop. Moral of the story: if it looks sketchy, it probably is.
Thats how to see someone's likes on instagram I found my golden list of ad-free methods. Trauma-driven innovation, I guess?

Use Browser Extensions when 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, maybe skip it.
But if you find a sound one? Game changer.

Hidden Trick: Archive Page Snapshots
Bet you didnt see this coming. Wayback machine (archive.org) sometimes saves Instagram publish snapshots. Not often, but occasionally.
Why is this cool? If the original state gets deleted, it might yet flesh and blood there. Saved. Immortal.
No ads. No spam. Just... retro-cool internet preservation.
Try it: search the Insta URL upon archive.org and see if whatever 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, adore your post, mind if I keep a copy? works wonders.
I did this once a small travel blogger once. Not forlorn did she say yes, she emailed me a full-res version. Made a additional friend too.
Not the fastest method, but the most human.

Okay, But Are These Legal?
Ah. The gray area. Technically, downloading photos without admission 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 all good.
But yeah. Im not a lawyer. Just a weary insomniac with too many bookmarked tools.

Recap (Messy, But Honest)
If you just skimmed this (no judgment), heres the not-so-clean summary:

Use inspect Element if you similar to 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 showing off out.

Dont trust shady downloaders.

Browser extensions = pretense once caution.

Ask nicely. It works.

Archive.org is the weird backup method.

Dont be a jerk past the photos.

There. Real, messy, human. Hopefully helpful.
So next epoch you see that absolute pic and wanna save it without 12 pop-ups, youll know exactly what to do.
Maybe even grin even though play a part it.