5 Simple Steps: How to Save a Live Instagram Video

Are you an avid Instagram user who finds yourself constantly captivated by the live videos but desires a way to preserve them for future enjoyment? If so, you’re in luck! This comprehensive guide will reveal the secrets to effortlessly saving your favorite live Instagram videos without a single line of code.

Before delving into the technicalities, let’s acknowledge the significance of archiving these live moments. Unlike regular posts that remain eternally on your profile, live videos vanish into thin air once the broadcast concludes. Saving them ensures you can relive those cherished experiences, share them with friends and family who missed the live event, or utilize them for future reference or inspiration.

Fortunately, Instagram has simplified the process of saving live videos, providing seamless options within the app itself. Whether you’re using an Android or iOS device, the steps are incredibly straightforward and accessible even to novice users. However, if you want to delve deeper into the world of live video saving, there are additional methods and third-party tools that can further enhance your experience. Keep reading to explore these options and discover the best approach for your specific needs.

Capturing and Saving Instagram Live Videos

Going live on Instagram is an excellent approach to engage with your audience in real-time. You can share behind-the-scenes content, host Q&A sessions, or run product demonstrations to connect with your followers. However, once a live broadcast ends, the video disappears unless you take steps to save it.

Instagram offers several options for capturing and saving your live videos, ensuring your valuable content remains accessible to you and your viewers. By following the methods outlined below, you can effortlessly archive your live streams and share them again later.

Saving Live Videos During the Broadcast

During your live stream, you can choose to save the video directly to your device’s camera roll. This option allows you to save the video as it is being recorded, ensuring you have a copy of the live broadcast even if you experience any technical difficulties. To save the video during the broadcast, follow these steps:

Step	Action
1	During the live broadcast, tap the three dots (…) icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
2	From the menu that appears, select the “Save” option.
3	Confirm that you want to save the video by tapping “Save Live.”

Once you have confirmed the save, the video will be stored in your device’s camera roll. You can access the saved video through your device’s photo or video gallery.

Preserving Live Content for Future Use

Live streaming on Instagram offers an engaging and real-time connection with followers. However, these streams are ephemeral, disappearing shortly after they end. To preserve this content for future use, consider the following methods:

Archiving Live Videos

Instagram’s built-in archiving feature allows you to save live videos directly to your IGTV channel. During or immediately after the stream, select the “Archive” option in the bottom-right corner of the screen. The video will be converted into an IGTV video and remain accessible on your channel.

Detailed Steps:

Go live on Instagram.
During or within 24 hours of the live stream, click the “Archive” button at the bottom-right corner.
Your live video will be saved to your IGTV channel.
To access the archived video, go to your IGTV profile (click the TV icon on your profile page).

Using a Third-Party App

For more advanced options, you can use third-party apps that allow you to download live videos directly to your device. Many apps also offer features such as trimming, editing, and sharing the video. Some popular apps include: Screen Recorder, AZ Screen Recorder, and Mobizen.

Benefits of Third-Party Apps:

Offline Access: Save videos to your device for offline viewing.
Editing Features: Trim, crop, and enhance the video before sharing.
Multiple Format Support: Download videos in various file formats, including MP4, MOV, and AVI.

Archiving Live Broadcasts for Documentation

Archiving your live broadcasts is a valuable method to document events, preserve significant moments, and share them with your audience later. Instagram provides two primary ways to archive live streams:

1. Archive Automatically

Instagram automatically archives live broadcasts that are at least 10 minutes long. Once archived, the video will be saved in the “Live Archive” section of your profile. You can access the archived video from your profile grid or through the “Live Archive” tab.

2. Archive Manually

You can also choose to manually archive live broadcasts that are shorter than 10 minutes. To do this, go to your story after the live broadcast ends and tap on the three dots in the bottom right corner. Select “Save to Archive” to save the video to your “Live Archive.”

3. Download Archived Live Broadcasts

To permanently save an archived live broadcast to your device, you can download it as an MP4 file. Here’s how to do it:

Go to your profile and tap on the “Live Archive” tab.
Select the live broadcast you want to download.
Tap on the three dots in the bottom right corner and select “Download.”

Note: The downloaded video will be saved in the “Downloads” folder on your device.

Archiving Method	Minimum Duration	Automatic Archiving	Manual Archiving	Downloading
Automatic	10 minutes	Yes	N/A	N/A
Manual	None	No	Yes	Yes

Sharing Live Footage Beyond Real-Time

Extend the reach of your live broadcasts by preserving and sharing them after the initial broadcast. Here are four practical methods for saving and distributing live Instagram videos:

1. Downloading Live Videos

Instagram allows users to download live videos onto their devices after the broadcast. Simply tap the three dots in the bottom right corner of the video screen during or after the live stream and select “Save.” The video will be saved in your camera roll for offline viewing and sharing.

2. Sharing Live Videos to Instagram Stories

Repurpose your live video by sharing it as an Instagram story. This feature gives your video a 24-hour lifespan on your profile, allowing you to reach a wider audience who may have missed the original broadcast.

3. Repurposing Live Videos on Other Platforms

Upload your saved live videos to other social media platforms, such as YouTube, Facebook, or TikTok. Expand your reach and engage with a broader audience by distributing your live content across multiple channels.

4. Creating IGTV Videos from Live Broadcasts

Turn your live videos into IGTV episodes for extended availability. IGTV allows you to upload videos up to 1 hour long, giving your audience ample time to catch up on what they missed. To create an IGTV video from a live broadcast, follow these steps:

Open the Instagram Live Video Manager: After the live stream, tap the three dots in the bottom right corner of the video screen and select “View Live Archive.”
Adjust Video Length (Optional): If your live video exceeds 1 hour, you can trim it to fit the IGTV format.
Tap “Share to IGTV”: A new window will appear, where you can customize your IGTV title, description, and thumbnail. Click “Post” to publish your live video as an IGTV episode.

Employing Screen Recording Tools

1. Utilizing Built-in Screen Recording:

For iOS devices, the default screen recording feature seamlessly captures live Instagram videos. Initiate recording by swiping down from the top-right corner and tapping the screen recording button. The recorded video will be saved to your camera roll.

2. Employing Third-Party Apps:

Numerous third-party applications provide advanced screen recording capabilities specifically tailored for Instagram live videos. Select an application that aligns with your specific requirements and download it from the App Store or Google Play Store.

3. Using OBS Studio (for Desktop):

OBS Studio is a comprehensive screen recording and streaming software that offers superior flexibility and customization options. Configure OBS Studio to capture the Instagram live video window and record it as an MP4 file.

4. Taking Screenshots:

While screenshots do not capture the entire live video, they can serve as a workaround for preserving crucial moments. Take screenshots by pressing the designated screenshot button or key combination on your device.

5. Utilizing a Dedicated Capture Card:

For high-quality recordings, consider investing in a dedicated capture card. Connect your device to the capture card via HDMI and use software like OBS Studio to record the video feed.

6. Selecting the Optimal Recording Tool:

The choice of recording tool depends on several factors, including the desired video quality, ease of use, and additional features:

Criteria	Built-in Screen Recording	Third-Party Apps	OBS Studio	Screenshots	Capture Card
Ease of Use	Excellent	Good	Moderate	Poor	Moderate
Video Quality	Good	Good to Excellent	Excellent	Poor	Excellent
Additional Features	Limited	Varied	Extensive	None	None
Cost	Free	Free or Paid	Free	Free	Expensive

Connecting Live Videos to External Storage

There are several methods to connect live videos to external storage devices, enabling you to preserve them for future access or use.

1. Direct Connection to Hard Drive

Connect an external hard drive to your computer or device broadcasting the live video. Ensure proper formatting and permissions for the drive to accept the video feed.

2. Cloud Storage Services

Utilize cloud storage platforms like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox to automatically save live videos to designated folders. Configure settings to initiate the saving process at the start of the live stream.

3. Third-Party Streaming Software

Use third-party streaming software such as OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) or Streamlabs to capture and record live videos. Configure the software to output the recording directly to an external hard drive or cloud storage service.

4. Hardware Encoders

Employ hardware encoders to stream and record live videos simultaneously. These devices offer high-quality recording capabilities and can be connected to external storage devices for easy access.

5. Virtual Machine (VM) Recording

Create a virtual machine (VM) on a host computer and configure it to run the live streaming software. Record the VM’s activity, including the live video, to an external storage device.

6. Video Editing Software

Import the live video into a video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. Trim and edit the video as needed, and save it to an external storage device.

7. Direct Recording on External Storage

Check if the equipment you’re using for live streaming supports direct recording to an external storage device. Some cameras and streaming devices offer this feature, providing a convenient and hassle-free method for video preservation.

Streamlining Live Video Capture and Archiving

In the realm of social media, live video has emerged as a powerful tool for engaging with audiences in real-time. However, capturing and archiving these live broadcasts can be a daunting task without the right tools and techniques.

Using Built-In Platform Features

Many social media platforms, such as Instagram, offer built-in features for live video capture and archiving. These features allow you to seamlessly save your live streams directly onto your device.

Third-Party Tools

If you need more advanced options or customization, there are numerous third-party tools available that can help you capture and archive live videos. These tools typically offer a wider range of features, including high-quality recording, editing, and analytics.

Using a Screen Recorder

For those without access to platform features or third-party tools, using a screen recorder is a straightforward option. Screen recorders capture everything that happens on your screen, including live video broadcasts.

Optimizing for Archiving

To ensure your live videos are archived efficiently, consider using the following tips:

Choose a high-resolution recording setting.
Ensure you have sufficient storage space on your device or cloud service.
Store your videos in a well-organized folder structure for easy retrieval.

Promoting Your Archived Videos

Once your live videos are archived, it’s important to promote them to maximize their reach and impact. Consider:

Sharing them on other social media channels.
Embedding them on your website or blog.
Running ads to promote your archived videos.

Livestream Watching Party

Create a buzz around your live video by hosting a livestream watching party. Invite your followers, friends, or colleagues to watch the live stream together and engage in real-time discussions.

Repurpose and Share

Don’t let your live videos fade into obscurity after the broadcast. Repurpose them into bite-sized clips, highlights, or mini-tutorials. Share these snippets on other platforms or use them for email marketing campaigns.

Tip	Details
Go Live on Multiple Platforms	Broadcast your live video on multiple social media platforms simultaneously, expanding your reach and audience.
Collaborate with Influencers	Partner with influencers to host joint live streams, tapping into their existing following and increasing visibility.
Use Live Streaming Software	Employ professional live streaming software to enhance the quality of your broadcasts, add custom overlays, and engage your audience with interactive elements.

Best Practices for Live Video Preservation

1. Archive Videos Automatically

Utilize Instagram’s built-in feature to automatically save live broadcasts directly to your account.

2. Download Using Third-Party Tools

Employ third-party tools like OBS Studio or Screencast-o-Matic to capture and save live streams from Instagram.

3. Record Using External Software

Consider using external software like QuickTime Player (Mac) or OBS Studio (Windows) to record live videos in high quality.

4. Download from IGTV

After a live broadcast, it’s automatically saved to IGTV. You can download it from there using the IGTV download button or a third-party tool.

5. Check for Temporary Storage

Instagram stores live videos temporarily. Ensure you download them within 24 hours, or they will be removed.

6. Use a Live Video Repurposing Tool

Utilize tools like Headliner or Vimeo Record to convert live broadcasts into repurposable clips, shorts, or podcasts.

7. Optimize for Search

Add relevant tags, titles, and descriptions to your live videos to increase their visibility in search results.

8. Create Highlights

Select key moments from your live broadcasts and create Highlight Stories that remain permanently on your profile.

9. Consider Paid Repurposing Services

Explore paid services that provide professional video editing and repurposing of your live streams for various platforms.

How To Save A Live Instagram Video

To save a live Instagram video, open the app and tap on the profile picture of the person who is live. Then, tap on the three dots in the bottom right corner of the screen and select “Save Video”. The video will be saved to your phone’s camera roll.

You can also save a live Instagram video by using a third-party app. There are many different apps available, so you can choose one that best suits your needs. Some popular apps include Screen Recorder, AZ Screen Recorder, and DU Recorder.

Once you have installed a third-party app, open it and start recording your screen. Then, open Instagram and start watching the live video. The app will record the video and save it to your phone’s camera roll.

Tip	Details
Go Live on Multiple Platforms	Broadcast your live video on multiple social media platforms simultaneously, expanding your reach and audience.
Collaborate with Influencers	Partner with influencers to host joint live streams, tapping into their existing following and increasing visibility.
Use Live Streaming Software	Employ professional live streaming software to enhance the quality of your broadcasts, add custom overlays, and engage your audience with interactive elements.