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Private Downloader

Download Private Instagram Content

3 simple steps to download from private accounts you follow

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Step 1: Paste Private Post URL

Enter the Instagram post URL from a private account you follow

How to Download Private Instagram Posts

Follow these 6 simple steps. Click any screenshot to enlarge.

1

Copy the Instagram Post URL

Open the private post on Instagram and copy its URL from the address bar.

Instagram reel page showing the post URL in the browser address bar
Copy this URL
Click to enlarge

Copy the post URL from the address bar

1.

Open Instagram and go to the private post / reel

2.

Copy the URL from the address bar (e.g. instagram.com/reel/…)

3.

You must be following the private account

⚠️You must be logged in and following the private account to access its content.
2

Paste URL & Click Generate

Paste the Instagram URL into SnapDown and generate the GraphQL link.

SnapDown Step 1 — Instagram URL pasted in the input field with Generate button
Paste URL here
Click Generate
Click to enlarge

Paste the URL and click 'Generate GraphQL URL'

1.

Come to the SnapDown Private Downloader page

2.

Paste the Instagram URL in the input box

3.

Click "Generate GraphQL URL"

3

Open GraphQL URL in New Tab

Click 'Open in New Tab' to open the generated link while logged into Instagram.

SnapDown Step 2 — GraphQL URL displayed with Copy URL and Open in New Tab buttons
Click Open in New Tab
Click to enlarge

Click 'Open in New Tab' to view the JSON data

1.

A GraphQL URL will appear on screen

2.

Click "Open in New Tab" (or copy it and paste in a new tab)

3.

Make sure you're logged into Instagram in that browser

ℹ️Stay logged into Instagram in the same browser for this to work.
4

Select All & Copy the JSON Data

You'll see a page full of raw JSON text. Select all and copy it.

Browser tab showing raw JSON response from Instagram's GraphQL endpoint
Ctrl+A → Select All
Ctrl+C → Copy All
Click to enlarge

Press Ctrl+A (select all) then Ctrl+C (copy)

1.

You'll see a page full of text/JSON data

2.

Press Ctrl+A (or Cmd+A on Mac) to select all

3.

Press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac) to copy

If you see a wall of text, you're on the right page!
5

Paste JSON & Click Parse

Return to SnapDown, paste the JSON data, and click Parse to extract the download link.

SnapDown Step 2 — JSON data pasted in the textarea with Parse button
Paste JSON here (Ctrl+V)
Click Parse
Click to enlarge

Paste JSON data and click 'Parse JSON & Get Download Links'

1.

Go back to the SnapDown tab

2.

Paste the JSON in the text box (Ctrl+V / Cmd+V)

3.

Click "Parse JSON & Get Download Links"

6

Click Download!

Your media is ready — click the download button to save it.

SnapDown Step 3 — Download Media with preview and Download Photo button
Click to Download!
Click to enlarge

Click 'Download Photo' or 'Download Video' to save

1.

You'll see a preview of the photo or video

2.

Click "Download Photo" (or "Download Video")

3.

The file will be saved to your device

Done! Your private Instagram content is downloaded.

That's it! 6 simple steps.

Make sure you're logged into Instagram in the same browser and that you follow the private account. Need to download another post? Scroll up and start again!