How to Download an Instagram Video from DMs on Computer?

Instagram Direct Messages (DMs) are widely used to share personal moments, collaborate on content, and send media privately between users. While viewing videos within DMs is simple, downloading them—especially on a computer—is not directly supported by Instagram. Whether you need to save a video for personal use, offline viewing, or creative projects, this article walks you through several methods to download Instagram videos from DMs on your computer.

1. Download an Instagram DMs Video Using Inspect Element

If you’re comfortable with browser tools, Inspect Element provides a quick, code-based method to extract and download videos directly from Instagram’s web interface.

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Open Instagram in a browser to log into your account, then locate the conversation that contains the video you want to download.
• Play the DMs video, then right-click anywhere on the page and select Inspect. Ensure the video fully loads by playing it within the chat window.
• Click “Network,” then filter by “Media” to isolate media files.
• Reload the DM thread and play the video again. You should see a .mp4 file appear in the Media list.
• Right-click the video file in the list, choose Open in New Tab to download it to your computer.

Pros:

• No third-party software needed
• Accesses the raw video file

Cons:

• Can be technical for beginners
• May not work if Instagram obfuscates the video URL

2. Screen Record an Instagram DMs Video

If manual extraction doesn’t work, screen recording provides a reliable way to capture the video directly from your screen – along with audio.

Steps:

• Download and install a reliable screen recorder (e.g. Swyshare Recordit) on your computer.
• Play the DMs video, then use the screen recorder to set recording area and turn on system audio.
• Let the video play entirely and start recording in real time.
• When the video ends, stop recording and find the recording on your computer.

Pros:

• Works regardless of platform limitations
• Captures anything visible on screen

Cons:

• May record other screen elements
• Slightly lower quality than original video
• Time-consuming for longer clips

3. Download an Instagram DMs Video Using a Browser Extension

Browser extensions can help automate media detection and downloads directly from Instagram pages, including videos in DMs.

Popular Extensions:

• Video DownloadHelper
• Downloader for Instagram™ + Direct Message

Steps:

• Install the extension (e.g. Video DownloadHelper) from the Chrome or Firefox store
• Log in to Instagram on your browser, then open your DM conversation to play the video
• Click on the extension icon and wait for it to detect the DM video.
• Select desired resolution and format, then click to download the video on your computer.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• No technical steps involved

Cons:

• Not all extensions support DM videos
• May require permission to access your data
• Some extensions may be blocked by Instagram updates

4. Advanced Bulk Download with Meget – The Ultimate Video Downloader

For users who frequently need to download videos from Instagram DMs or other platforms – Meget is the most efficient and advanced solution available.

Meget is a powerful desktop-based video downloader designed to support bulk downloads from social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and more. With session login support and intelligent media detection, Meget can extract videos from DMs, feeds, and stories with ease.

Why Choose Meget?

• Download multiple videos from chats, feeds, playlists or profiles at once.
• Supports session-based login to access private DMs and stories.
• Up to 1080p resolution or original upload quality.
• Convert to popular formats, e.g. MP4, MP3, MKV, etc.
• Works with dozens of media platforms, not just Instagram.
• Designed for both beginners and power users.

How to Download Instagram DM Videos with Meget:

Step 1: Visit the official Meget website and install the latest version for Windows or macOS.

Step 2: Launch Meget app, then delect the desired output resolution, format and file folder.

Step 3: Log into your Instagram account directly inside Meget, next navigate to your Instagram DMs and play the video you wish to download, then click the download button to add the video to Meget’s download queue.

Step 4: Meget will start all the downloading tasks, and you can find the videos under the “Finished” tab once finished.

5. Conclusion

Downloading videos from Instagram DMs on a computer can be done through several methods—manual inspection, screen recording, or browser extensions. However, each has its limitations in terms of video quality, speed, or ease of use.

If you’re looking for a professional, fast, and reliable way to download Instagram DM videos (and more), Meget is the ultimate solution. It allows you to securely log in, browse your DMs, detect any video, and download it in high quality—all without complicated steps.

Download Meget today and take control of your Instagram video downloads—directly from your computer.