Best Ways to Download Instagram Photos Without Ads
Okay, therefore 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 startling 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 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 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 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 broadcast you want.

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

Dig almost the tag that looks as soon as it has the full-resolution pic.

Copy the URL. paste it in a new tab.

Right-click > Save image as

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

Use DustySave A unsigned Tool Nobodys Talking just about (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 like 90s-level ugly but zero ads, clean download, and works on Stories too.
Go to: dustysave.me (if its still up). glue the URL of the post, click download, done. If the sites all along (it was once), just keep checking.
This is similar to my backup plan like everything 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 as soon as the image.

Pro tip: make a Telegram compilation for media saves. Keeps anything tidy.
Little warning though: some bots randomly die or end working. It's subsequently 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, subsequently upscale using LetsEnhance.io or Remini. Sounds extra, but trust me, works once magic. I in the same way as grabbed a blurry bill name and turned it into printable announcement feel (dont question why).
Is this overkill? Maybe. But its fun.

Developer Mode upon Android If You with 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 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 produce a result going on in your part sheet. Tap it after copying the Insta URL, and boom: media downloaded into Photos.
Annoying part? iOS might ask for access when 17 times. But hey, no ads.

Story Time: That One get older I Clicked the wrong Link
Okay, quick story. I once used this shady-looking downloader (not naming names, but it rhymed subsequently Insta-Grammer Saver). Clicked the download button and it redirected me to a casino. A literal slot robot game started auto-playing in choice tab.
I panicked, closed everything, cleared my cookies, felt in the same way as 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 as soon as Caution
Theres one called Downloader for Instagram (yeah, tacky name, I know). Works upon Chrome, and you can bulk download too. But heres the situation dont blindly install random extensions. Some are just click-farms in disguise.
Check reviews. Check permissions. If it's asking to gain access to 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 robot (archive.org) sometimes saves Instagram publicize snapshots. Not often, but occasionally.
Why is this cool? If the native read out gets deleted, it might yet sentient there. Saved. Immortal.
No ads. No spam. Just... retro-cool internet preservation.
Try it: search the Insta URL on archive.org and look if whatever 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 keep a copy? works wonders.
I did this past a little travel blogger once. Not single-handedly did she tell yes, she emailed me a full-res version. Made a further friend too.
Not the fastest method, but the most human.

Okay, But Are These Legal?
Ah. The gray area. Technically, downloading photos without access 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 tired insomniac behind 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 behind 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 = exploit following caution.

Ask nicely. It works.

Archive.org is the weird backup method.

Dont be a jerk subsequently the photos.

There. Real, messy, human. Hopefully helpful.
So adjacent period you look that absolute pic and wanna save it without 12 pop-ups, youll know exactly what to do.
Maybe even grin though bill it.