INSTAGRAM GUIDE · PHOTO

How to copy an Instagram photo or carousel link

instagram.com/p/ URLs — save single images or every carousel slide.

How to copy an Instagram photo or carousel link — step by step

Step 1 of 4

Open the photo post

Navigate to a public single-image post or the first slide of a carousel in the Instagram app or on instagram.com. The post must be visible without logging in — private accounts and close-friends content cannot be copied for download.

1 / 4
Screenshot: a public Instagram photo or carousel post open and ready to share.
  1. Step 1: Open the photo post. Navigate to a public single-image post or the first slide of a carousel in the Instagram app or on instagram.com. The post must be visible without logging in — private accounts and close-friends content cannot be copied for download.
  2. Step 2: Tap Share. On mobile, tap the paper-plane Share icon below the image. On desktop web, click Share below the post or copy the URL directly from the browser address bar — both produce the same instagram.com/p/ link.
  3. Step 3: Copy link. Choose Copy link in the share menu. Photo and carousel posts use instagram.com/p/SHORTCODE/ URLs — one link covers every slide in a carousel. Avoid copying profile links, search results, or DM previews.
  4. Step 4: Paste and save. Open smdownloader.com, paste the copied /p/ URL into the download field, and click Download. Preview the image or carousel slides, then save each file to your device. Multi-image carousels list every slide in the preview.

Example URL

https://www.instagram.com/p/SHORTCODE/

Common questions

Do carousel posts use one link or one per slide?

One link. Multi-image carousels share a single instagram.com/p/SHORTCODE/ URL. SMDownloader lists each slide in the preview after you paste that link.

Can I copy a photo link from a private account?

No. The post must be public. If Instagram asks you to log in or follow the account to view it, Share → Copy link will not produce a URL SMDownloader can fetch.

What URL format do photo posts use?

Single photos and carousels both use instagram.com/p/SHORTCODE/. Reels use /reel/ and videos may use /tv/ — see the matching guides for those formats.

Does Copy link work on desktop web too?

Yes. On instagram.com, click Share below the post and choose Copy link — or copy the address bar URL directly. Both produce the same public /p/ link.

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