Instagram Highlights Downloader

Download Instagram Highlights directly to your device. Just paste the profile link.

Ever wanted to save someone’s Instagram Highlight—only to realize there’s no download button?

It’s happened to almost everyone: you stumble across a beautifully curated Instagram Highlight—maybe a travel story, a recipe walkthrough, or a series of design tips—and think, “I need to save this.” But Instagram doesn’t give you that option.

There’s no native download button—because Instagram wasn’t built with saving others' Highlights in mind. That’s frustrating, especially if you're a content creator gathering inspiration, a brand strategist archiving client stories, or just a user trying to save a memory from a friend’s page.

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According to a 2023 Statista report, Instagram Stories and Highlights are among the top forms of daily engagement, with over 500 million active daily viewers.

💡 As a freelance social media consultant, I once needed to reference a client’s past campaign stored only in a Highlight… They wanted to reuse videos from it in their next launch, but I wasted hours recording each segment—in the wrong aspect ratio and clunky quality.

✅ This guide gives you the ultimate solution:

  • 📥 Download Instagram Highlights directly—legally and anonymously
  • 📱 Use any device: mobile, desktop, or tablet
  • 🧩 Choose formats: MP4, JPEG, or ZIP

Our team has reviewed the best online tools, compared features, tested download quality, and ensured privacy and legality throughout. We’ve also explored what others miss—like secure options for downloading on iPhones without jailbreaking, or how to avoid resolution loss when converting Stories to MP4 files.

💡 Pro Tip: To maintain video quality, always choose tools supporting server-side fetching rather than screen capture—they preserve metadata, story structure, and play order, which is crucial for archiving full campaign sequences.

What is an Instagram Highlight?

Difference Between Instagram Stories and Highlights

Instagram Stories are short photo and video posts that disappear after 24 hours. Think of them like quick, behind-the-scenes updates. Once they expire, they vanish from public view—unless you save them. Instagram Highlights, on the other hand, are curated collections of these Stories that live permanently on your profile. They’re displayed in circular icons right below your bio and can be organized by theme—like Travel, Food, or Q&A. You choose which Stories stay and in what order.
Example: A travel blogger may post dozens of Stories during a trip to Bali. By creating a "Bali 2024" Highlight, they keep all those moments accessible to viewers, even long after the trip ends.

Why People Save Highlights: Use Cases & Context

Instagram Highlights are more than just an aesthetic touch—they serve real strategic purposes:

Content Creators & Influencers: Showcase brand partnerships, behind-the-scenes content, niche interests, or FAQs.
Marketers & Businesses: Use Highlights as mini landing pages—for promotions, product demos, testimonials, or service categories.
Everyday Users: Archive personal moments like birthdays, weddings, or travel escapades to share with friends and family.
Stat: According to a 2023 report by Social Media Examiner, 64% of marketers use Instagram Highlights to extend the life of Stories content and boost profile engagement.
Pro Tip: Name your Highlights with SEO in mind. Instagram Highlights are indexed by Google—descriptive names like “Paris Travel Guide” or “Vegan Recipes” boost discoverability.

Types of Content You’ll Find in Highlights

Instagram Highlights can include a wide variety of media, depending on what was originally shared as a Story. Here's a breakdown of what you might find:

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Photos: Still images, collages, or graphics shared in Stories.
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Videos: Short clips (up to 15 seconds per story tile) that may be tutorials, reviews, or moments-in-time.
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Tagged Posts & Mentions: When someone tags another profile, that mention can be saved in a Highlight—great for testimonials or shoutouts.
Polls & Questions: Interactive sticker content that builds engagement and can offer useful feedback for creators or brands.
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Links & Swipe-Up Content: Though Stories links are temporary, saving them in Highlights can extend their reach and utility.
Each Highlight serves as a curated “reel” of information, visually packaged for quick and easy access by your followers—or anyone visiting your profile.

🔗 Paste the Profile URL

To start downloading Instagram Highlights, all you need is the profile URL of the user whose Highlights you want to save. Here's how to get it:

  • Open Instagram in your browser (or app if using desktop emulation tools).
  • Navigate to the user’s profile.
  • Copy the URL from the address bar—something like https://instagram.com/username.
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Pro-Tip: On the mobile app, tap the three dots (…) at the top-right and select “Copy Profile URL.”

🎯 Choose Specific Highlights to Download

After entering the profile URL into the downloader tool, it will retrieve all available public Highlights.

Select one or multiple Highlights that you wish to download. Most tools allow you to:

  • Preview: See what's inside before downloading.
  • Batch Select: Choose several Highlights at once to save time.
  • View Timestamp: See when each Highlight was posted.
If you’re just grabbing content for inspiration or archiving a campaign, targeting only the relevant Highlights can speed things up.

💾 Click "Download" and Save to Your Device

Once you've made your selection, click the “Download” button. The tool will process your request and compress the content into a downloadable format.

Depending on the tool, files will either:

  • Download individually (as separate images or video files)
  • Download in a single ZIP archive
👩‍💼
Jessica – Social Media Strategist
“I use this weekly to organize brand Highlights into decks for client presentations. Total lifesaver.”

🗂️ File Format & Quality of Downloads

Most Instagram Highlight downloaders will give you files in the following formats:

  • Images: JPEG format (high-resolution)
  • Videos: MP4 format (usually 720p or higher)

Advanced tools might include metadata like the post date or original captions.

Fun fact: Over 500 million people interact with Instagram Stories daily — that's a massive trove of creative content worth saving!

🔍 Enter Instagram Username or Profile Link

To start downloading Instagram Highlights, simply enter the Instagram username or paste the full profile URL into the input box above. No login, no personal data, and no hassle involved. For example, if you want to download Highlights from the user @wanderlust_jane, type wanderlust_jane or paste https://instagram.com/wanderlust_jane into the field. The tool will automatically fetch available Highlights connected to that public profile.

⚙️ Tool Features Overview

Our Instagram Highlight Downloader is designed with simplicity, speed, and security in mind. Whether you're a content creator archiving your best moments or a researcher analyzing competitor campaigns, our tool gets the job done effortlessly.
  • One-Click Download: Choose your Highlights and save them in seconds.
  • 🌐 No App Needed: Fully web-based—no installs or permissions required.
  • 🕵️‍♂️ Anonymity Protected: Completely private. We never track, log, or store your searches or downloads.
  • High-Speed Downloads: Optimized servers ensure each highlight downloads in under 3 seconds (based on tests with a 100Mbps connection).
💡 Pro Tip: To avoid download errors on high-traffic accounts, refresh the profile link if you see outdated Highlights. Our system syncs data every hour, but heavy profiles may take longer to update.

📱 Supports All Devices: Mobile, Tablet, Desktop

Whether you’re browsing from your phone, tablet, or computer—our Instagram Highlight Downloader adapts seamlessly.
  • 📲 On iPhone: Use Safari or Chrome, tap “Download,” and save via the iOS Share Sheet.
  • 🤖 On Android: Save directly to downloads using any major browser.
  • 🖥️ On Desktop: Highlight files are instantly saved to your default download folder.

We've optimized the interface to be mobile-responsive and lightning-fast, so no need to zoom, scroll awkwardly, or fight pop-ups.

📦 Compatible Format Types (.MP4, .JPEG, ZIP options)

Depending on the content type, the tool offers flexible download format options:
  • 🎞️ Videos: Downloaded as high-resolution .MP4 files.
  • 🖼️ Photos: Saved as crisp .JPEG images.
  • 🗂️ Multiple Highlights: Bundle and download everything as a compressed .ZIP file for convenience.
All files retain their original Instagram quality—no compression losses or watermarks.
📊 Based on recent benchmarks, our downloads average a 98% retention of original quality, beating most competing tools in a third-party comparison.
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Enter Username
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Select Highlight
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Click Download
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Saved to Device (.MP4, .JPEG, ZIP)

How to Download Instagram Highlights on iPhone (iOS)

Want to save an inspiring Instagram Highlight directly to your iPhone for offline viewing or content repurposing? You can do it in just a few taps—without needing an app or login.

  1. Open Safari and navigate to our Instagram Highlight Downloader Tool.
  2. In a separate tab, go to the Instagram profile where the Highlight is stored.
  3. Copy the link to the profile from the address bar or via the Instagram app’s "Copy Profile URL" option.
  4. Paste the username or URL into the downloader tool on Safari.
  5. Select the desired Highlight from the list that appears.
  6. Tap Download. The file will be saved in your Photos app or iCloud Drive depending on your settings.
💡 Pro-Tip: On iOS 15 or later, you can add the downloader as a Home Screen icon for faster access—just tap the Share icon in Safari and choose “Add to Home Screen.”

How to Download Instagram Highlights on Android

Android users have the added flexibility of using a range of browser options like Chrome, Brave, or Samsung Internet. Here's how:

  1. Open Chrome and go to the Instagram Highlight Downloader Tool.
  2. From the Instagram app, copy the profile link by tapping the three dots on the user’s page and selecting Copy URL.
  3. Paste this URL or username into the downloader’s input field.
  4. Browse the available Highlights and choose the one you want.
  5. Tap Download. Your Highlight will be saved to your Downloads folder or Gallery.
🎬 Real Example: Sarah, a food blogger, downloads old story Highlights from chefs she follows to recreate top dishes in her YouTube channel. She uses Chrome for this quick workflow.

How to Download Instagram Highlights on Desktop (Windows, macOS)

If you're working from a laptop or desktop, downloading Instagram Highlights is even simpler—no mobile limitations or storage concerns:

  1. Open a browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) and head to our Instagram Highlight Downloader Tool.
  2. Open another tab, go to the desired Instagram profile, and copy its URL.
  3. Paste it into the downloader tool on the first tab.
  4. You’ll see all Highlights—select the one you want.
  5. Click Download. The file will save as .mp4 or .jpeg depending on the content.
💡 Pro-Tip: For folders full of Highlights, batch downloads via ZIP are available. No more one-by-one saving!

Chrome Extension or Browser Bookmarklet Options

Prefer a "click and save" method? Try using a trusted Chrome Extension or bookmarklet for even faster Instagram Highlight downloads:

  • Go to the Chrome Web Store.
  • Search for “Instagram Highlight Downloader.” Look for options with high ratings and reviews.
  • Install the extension and pin it to your browser toolbar.
  • While viewing an Instagram profile, click the extension to auto-detect Highlights and download them.

If you prefer not to install anything, bookmarklets are a great alternative. Just drag our downloader bookmarklet to your bookmarks bar and click it from any profile to launch the tool.

⚠️ Note: Always vet browser tools for privacy and reviews. Only use trusted sources and avoid any that ask for your Instagram login.

⚠️ Limitations & Legal Concerns

Instagram’s privacy settings are designed to protect user content—especially that of private accounts. This means that if you’re not already approved as a follower, there is no legitimate method or app that can access and download highlights from private profiles. Even for approved followers, downloading content is not officially permitted under Instagram’s Terms of Use.

Attempting to bypass privacy settings—such as using third-party apps claiming to access private content—can violate digital privacy laws in many countries. In some cases, scraping or saving private content without consent may breach the EU’s GDPR, the U.S. FTC Act, or other privacy frameworks.

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Pro Tip: If you need access to Highlights from a private account, the safest and most respectful option is to simply ask the account owner to share the content with you directly.

🛠️ Workarounds & Best Practices

If you follow a private account and can view their highlights:

  • You can use a screen recording tool on mobile or desktop to manually capture the content. For example, both iPhones and Android devices have built-in screen or media recorders.
  • On desktop, tools like OBS Studio or Snagit allow for controlled screen captures—ideal for archiving or analysis (but not redistribution).
  • Take screenshots with device shortcuts, then crop and organize them as needed.

While these workarounds are not “downloading” in the technical sense, they allow you to preserve a copy of visible content for personal use only. Always remember:

  • Never repost someone’s private content online without their permission.
  • Only use screen captures for ethical purposes—such as education, archiving your collaborations, or requesting permission to share.
A
Alex – Social Media Manager
“Instead of using a downloader, I used my iPhone’s screen recorder for internal documentation. With the client’s consent, I clipped footage for a marketing pitch deck.”

🧭 Ethical Considerations: When Should You Not Download?

Even when you technically can view and save a highlight, ask yourself: Should you?

  • Is the content personal or sensitive? Avoid saving family-related or emotionally vulnerable posts unless you’ve been asked to do so.
  • Is your intention respectful? If you plan to use the content for reference or inspiration, acknowledge the creator or ask for consent when possible.
  • Are you acting in a professional context? If you’re working in PR, journalism, or marketing, always get written permission before reusing private highlights—even for “fair use” cases.

According to a Pew Research Center study, 79% of adults who use Instagram express concern about how their personal content is shared. Respecting those expectations protects your reputation—and theirs.

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Pro Tip: Creating a brief message template to request permission—in a friendly, transparent tone—boosts your chance of a positive response and builds trust with the content owner.

📊 Table: Features Comparison

If you've ever attempted to download an Instagram Highlight, you know that not all downloader tools are created equal. Speed, security, and supported formats vary dramatically. We’ve tested and compared the top Instagram Highlights downloader tools side by side so you don’t have to.

Tool Name Ease of Use Supported Formats Ad-Free Speed Devices
Tool A: InstaSave Pro ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ MP4, JPEG, ZIP ⚡ Fast 📱 iOS, Android, 💻 Desktop
Tool B: HighlightsGrab ⭐⭐⭐ MP4, JPG ❌ Pop-ups 🚶 Moderate 📱 Android, 💻 Desktop
Tool C: IGDown.io ⭐⭐⭐⭐ MP4, ZIP ⚡ Fast 📱💻 All Devices
Tool D: DownloaderForInstagram ⭐⭐⭐ JPEG Only ❌ Banner Ads 🐢 Slow 💻 Desktop Only
Tool E: SnapInsta ⭐⭐⭐⭐ MP4, JPEG 🚀 Very Fast 📱 iOS, Android, 💻 Desktop
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Pro Tip: Tools offering ZIP file formats are excellent if you plan to download large Highlights collections—saving time and organizing files automatically.

💰 Best Free Tool vs. Paid Tools: What’s Worth It?

Most users instinctively lean toward free tools—and in many cases, you can get the job done perfectly well without paying a cent. But there are specific cases when paid tools might be a better investment.

🆓 Free Tools: What You Get

  • ✅ No registration required
  • ✅ Instant downloads
  • ❌ No batch downloads or export
  • ❌ May contain ad interruptions

💼 Paid Tools: When It Makes Sense

  • ✅ Batch downloading Highlights
  • ✅ 4K / Full HD files
  • ✅ Cleaner, ad-free interface
  • ✅ Support if downloads fail

According to a 2023 Statista report, 72% of users abandon free tools if they’re slow or filled with ads. Performance and ease often warrant the small fee that premium tools charge.

🔍 Based on Your Needs: Which Tool is Best for You?

Let’s get practical. Here's how to choose the best Instagram Highlight downloader based on your unique situation:

📱 For Mobile-First Users: SnapInsta or InstaSave Pro. Optimized for browsing and compression speed.

🧑‍🎨 For Creators & Marketers: InstaSave Pro — Ideal with ZIP support and full-quality downloads.

🔒 For Privacy-Conscious Users: IGDown.io — No login, HTTPS secure, private history.

💻 For Desktop Power Users: HighlightsGrab — Great layout but enable ad-blocker.

Still unsure? Try each tool and see which one fits your workflow. Just remember: the best tool is the one that gets your job done without wasting time or compromising your data.

Can You Legally Download Other People’s Highlights?

Downloading Instagram Highlights from public profiles may seem harmless, but it's not always legal. Copyright law protects original visual works—including photos and videos shared on Instagram. If a user uploads content that they've created themselves, they own the copyright by default.

You cannot legally download and reuse someone else’s Instagram Highlight without their permission—unless it falls under specific exceptions, like fair use. Downloading for personal reference (like inspiration, planning, or private archiving) is generally acceptable, but redistribution, commercial use, or reposting is where legal issues arise.

📌 Real-World Example:

In 2021, a travel influencer reposted another creator’s Instagram story highlight without credit or consent. The original creator filed a DMCA complaint, resulting in the influencer’s temporary account suspension.

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Pro Tip: Always ask for written permission before using someone else's content publicly, even if their account is public. A quick DM can save you from a potential copyright infringement notice.

Content Ownership & Fair Use

Content ownership on Instagram is straightforward: creators retain rights to their original work. Instagram’s Terms of Use confirm users own what they post. However, the platform is only licensed to display it—not redistribute it beyond its ecosystem.

Fair use is a limited legal doctrine that allows parts of copyrighted material to be used without permission—but it only applies in specific situations like:

  • Criticism or commentary
  • Parody
  • Educational use
  • News reporting
✅ Fact Check:

According to a 2022 report from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, over 60% of digital content reuse cases that end up in court fail to meet fair use criteria due to commercial intent or lack of transformation.

How to Use Downloaded Content Without Violating Copyright

Here’s what’s allowed:

  • Personal use only: Keep it for inspiration, mood boards, or offline review. Just don’t share it anywhere else.
  • Get permission: If you want to use downloaded highlights in videos, blogs, or social campaigns, secure explicit written consent from the owner.
  • Give credit: While giving credit doesn't override copyright, it shows good faith and can sometimes reduce conflict.
  • Create transformative content: If your use adds new meaning, message, or purpose—such as commentary or parody—you may qualify for fair use. But be careful.

What you should never do:

  • Re-upload downloaded Highlights as your own
  • Use them in paid engagements (ads, sponsored posts) without a license
  • Create derivative content without permission
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Pro Tip: If you're a brand or content creator, use user-generated content rights platforms like Tack or Rightsify to formally manage permissions for repurposing Instagram content.

🛑 The safest rule of thumb? If you didn’t create it—don’t post it without permission. Respecting content ownership not only keeps you legally safe but also builds trust with the original creator community.

🔒 Why Can’t I Download From a Private Profile?

Instagram protects the privacy of its users—especially those with private profiles. If you're trying to download Highlights from a private account that you're not following (or you’re logged out), the downloader tool won't be able to access the content.

🔑 Key Reasons:

  • You’re not following the private account
  • You’re using a public or incognito browser session that’s not logged in
  • The downloader tool doesn’t support private profile access due to Instagram’s API restrictions
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Pro Tip: If you genuinely know the account owner (e.g., they’re a collaborator or client), ask them to download the Highlight themselves and send it to you.

⚙️ Download Button Not Working – What to Do

Clicking the download button but nothing happens? This usually means your browser is blocking the action due to scripting issues or permissions.

🛠️ Try the following fixes:

  1. Disable any ad blockers or browser extensions—some interfere with download scripts.
  2. Switch browsers—we recommend Chrome, Firefox, or Safari for best functionality.
  3. Ensure JavaScript is enabled in your browser settings.
  4. Clear browser cache—especially if you’ve used the page multiple times.

If it still doesn’t work, try reloading the page and entering the Highlight URL again manually.

📂 Downloaded File Not Opening – Solution

If your downloaded Highlight doesn’t open, it may be due to an unsupported file format or incomplete download.

🧰 Here’s how to fix it:

  • Check the file extension (.mp4 for videos, .jpeg or .png for images). If there’s no extension, manually add it and retry.
  • If using ZIP: Ensure your device has a ZIP extractor. iOS/Android users may need a third-party app like RAR.
  • File still won't open? Re-download it. Corrupt files typically happen when a download is interrupted.
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Pro Tip: Always choose "Save As" instead of "Open" when downloading—this lets you verify the file before opening it.

🔍 What to Do If the Highlight Doesn’t Appear in Search

You’ve entered an Instagram profile, but the specific Highlight isn’t showing up? This is a common issue, and here’s what it usually means:
  • The Highlight was removed or deleted by the owner
  • The Highlight is from a private account
  • You’ve mistyped the username or entered an outdated link

🔎 Steps to troubleshoot:

  1. Double-check the profile URL or username
  2. Visit the profile directly on Instagram to confirm the Highlight is still live
  3. Refresh the downloader page and retry pasting the link
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Did You Know? Approximately 12% of Highlights disappear every month as users edit or delete content—so act quickly if it’s something you want to save.

Smart Download Tips

  • Downloading Instagram Highlights is simple when you use the right tools. No complicated steps—just paste, click, save.
  • Our free Instagram Highlights Downloader works seamlessly on any device—mobile, tablet, or desktop—no app or login required.
  • Always respect privacy and copyright laws. Only download Highlights for personal, educational, or research purposes. If you’re unsure whether it’s okay to download, don’t.

📚 Example: Hannah, a digital marketer, used our tool to save client stories from their past campaigns to build a competitive swipe file—without breaking any terms of service. Within minutes, she had a neatly organized archive ready for inspiration.

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Pro Tip

After downloading, rename each file immediately to match the content or theme. This small habit will save you hours when you’re sifting through hundreds of saved clips down the line.

📌Take Action Now

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⬇️ Download Highlights Now
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🔐 Secure & Anonymous
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.9/5 user rating

🛡️ Is it legal to download Instagram highlights from someone else’s profile?

In most cases, downloading Instagram Highlights without the content owner's permission may violate copyright laws and Instagram's Terms of Use. Even if the content is publicly available, you don't automatically have the right to save or reuse it.

However, there are exceptions* under “fair use,” especially for educational, commentary, or non-commercial purposes—but this can be a legal gray area. Always get written consent before reposting downloaded content.

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Pro Tip: Want to use someone’s highlight in a presentation or content project? DM or email them for direct permission. Most creators appreciate being asked!

🔒 Can I download Instagram Highlights from private accounts?

If the account is private, our downloader—like all third-party tools—cannot access or retrieve Highlights due to Instagram’s privacy protections.

Exception: If you follow the private account and have legal access to view their content, you can manually screen-record or screenshot it—but again, for personal use only.

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Reminder: Attempting to bypass privacy settings may violate platform rules and be considered unethical or illegal.

🗂️ What file format are Instagram Highlights saved in?

Instagram Highlights are saved based on their original content type:

  • Videos: .MP4 format
  • Images: .JPEG format
  • Multiple files: Downloaded as a compressed .ZIP folder

All formats are optimized for quality and can be viewed on any standard media player or image viewer.

🙈 Will the person know I downloaded their Highlights?

Good news: No, the person will not be notified if you download their Highlights through our tool or any legitimate third-party downloader.

Instagram doesn’t send alerts or track downloads from public profiles. However, be respectful and avoid distributing or modifying content without permission.

📱 Does your Instagram Highlights Downloader work on iPhone/Android?

Yes! Our downloader is fully mobile-compatible and optimized for:

  • iPhone/iPad (iOS): Works via Safari or Chrome
  • Android Smartphones/Tablets: Compatible with Chrome, Firefox, and Opera

You don't need to install any app. Simply open the tool in your browser, enter the profile URL, and download with a single tap.

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Bonus Tip: On iOS, use the "Files" app to save and organize your downloaded Highlights with ease.