Best Ways to Download Instagram Photos Without Ads
Okay, as a result here's the business 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 save 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 repair that. Ive been breakdown 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 state you want.

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

Dig concerning the tag that looks when it has the full-resolution pic.

Copy the URL. glue it in a extra tab.

Right-click > Save image as

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

Use DustySave A nameless Tool Nobodys Talking approximately (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 on Reddit mentioned it months ago. The interface is when 90s-level ugly but zero ads, tidy download, and works on Stories too.
Go to: dustysave.me (if its nevertheless up). glue the URL of the post, click download, done. If the sites all along (it was once), just save checking.
This is with my backup scheme as soon 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 gone @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 in imitation of the image.

Pro tip: create a Telegram cd for media saves. Keeps everything tidy.
Little scolding though: some bots randomly die or stop working. It's like 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 taking into consideration magic. I past grabbed a blurry savings account declare and turned it into printable personal ad air (dont question 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 once InsTake Cache Viewer (Google it).

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

You can subsequently 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 kind of Person
Apple fans, youre not left out. The Shortcuts app (yep, the one preinstalled) can accomplish this.
You gotta install a custom Shortcut search for Instagram Media Downloader iOS Shortcut.
Itll appear in in the works in your part sheet. Tap it after copying the Insta URL, and boom: media downloaded into Photos.
Annoying part? iOS might question for entry following 17 times. But hey, no ads.

Story Time: That One mature I Clicked the incorrect Link
Okay, quick story. I next used this shady-looking downloader (not naming names, but it rhymed with Insta-Grammer Saver). Clicked the download button and it redirected me to a casino. A literal slot robot game started auto-playing in other tab.
I panicked, closed everything, cleared my cookies, felt in imitation of 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 on Chrome, and you can bulk download too. But heres the thing dont blindly install random extensions. Some are just click-farms in disguise.
Check reviews. Check permissions. If it's asking to edit your entire browsing history, most likely skip it.
But if you find a hermetically sealed one? Game changer.

Hidden Trick: Archive Page Snapshots
Bet you didnt look this coming. Wayback robot (archive.org) sometimes saves Instagram reveal snapshots. Not often, but occasionally.
Why is this cool? If the indigenous post gets deleted, it might yet rouse 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, love your post, mind if I save a copy? works wonders.
I did this gone a little travel blogger once. Not unaccompanied did she say yes, she emailed me a full-res version. Made a additional pal too.
Not the fastest method, but the most human.

Okay, But Are These Legal?
Ah. The gray area. Technically, downloading photos without right of 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 i.stastalker personal use, set as wallpaper, print for your diary every good.
But yeah. Im not a lawyer. Just a weary insomniac subsequent to 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 taking into consideration 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 way out.

Dont trust shady downloaders.

Browser extensions = play-act in the same way as 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 neighboring mature you see that absolute pic and wanna save it without 12 pop-ups, youll know exactly what to do.
Maybe even smile even if play in it.