[GH-ISSUE #539] Some Instagram Reels aren't downloadable on main instance #9136

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opened 2026-04-24 15:13:46 -05:00 by GiteaMirror · 3 comments
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Originally created by @ethrydevelops on GitHub (Jun 5, 2024).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/issues/539

bug description
Instagram Reels regularly show the "i don't see anything i could download by your link. try a different one!" when you try to download them with Cobalt. I've been experiencing this for ~3 days now.

reproduction steps
steps to reproduce the behavior:

  1. go to cobalt
  2. download a reels video (e.g. https://www.instagram.com/p/C5cRuj3MYye/)
  3. see error

screenshots
image

links

platform

  • OS - windows
  • browser - firefox
  • version - 126.0.1
Originally created by @ethrydevelops on GitHub (Jun 5, 2024). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/issues/539 **bug description** Instagram Reels regularly show the "i don't see anything i could download by your link. try a different one!" when you try to download them with Cobalt. I've been experiencing this for ~3 days now. **reproduction steps** steps to reproduce the behavior: 1. go to cobalt 2. download a reels video (e.g. https://www.instagram.com/p/C5cRuj3MYye/) 3. see error **screenshots** ![image](https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/assets/58019814/980b038e-ffe3-41e3-96ae-dd41d7f35886) **links** * https://www.instagram.com/p/C5cRuj3MYye/ * https://www.instagram.com/p/C6ZVFwLPVNe/ * https://www.instagram.com/p/C7rRJkZOnBZ/ - this one shows a different error * https://www.instagram.com/p/C56prGbStrD/ - so does this **platform** - OS - windows - browser - firefox - version - 126.0.1
GiteaMirror added the main instance issue label 2026-04-24 15:13:46 -05:00
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@wukko commented on GitHub (Jun 6, 2024):

some reels aren't viewable without an account. we implemented (seemingly) all possible ways of accessing the instagram api with authentication, but dummy accounts get rate limited pretty quickly. not sure what else we can do at this point :(

<!-- gh-comment-id:2152273025 --> @wukko commented on GitHub (Jun 6, 2024): some reels aren't viewable without an account. we implemented (seemingly) all possible ways of accessing the instagram api with authentication, but dummy accounts get rate limited pretty quickly. not sure what else we can do at this point :(
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@greatestradioshow commented on GitHub (Jan 16, 2025):

Would it be possible to overcome this by being logged on in the browser and therefore us my own account for the authentication?

For example, the reel works without account:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE5HF-gIbjC/

But this reel not, because it is 18+:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD3YQ0dJ1lo/

On the other hand, I just came across this image which I can't download even when it is accessible without account:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DDu4GG4iiY9/

<!-- gh-comment-id:2597070482 --> @greatestradioshow commented on GitHub (Jan 16, 2025): Would it be possible to overcome this by being logged on in the browser and therefore us my own account for the authentication? For example, the reel works without account: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE5HF-gIbjC/ But this reel not, because it is 18+: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD3YQ0dJ1lo/ On the other hand, I just came across this image which I can't download even when it is accessible without account: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDu4GG4iiY9/
Author
Owner

@ethrydevelops commented on GitHub (Jan 17, 2025):

Would it be possible to overcome this by being logged on in the browser and therefore us my own account for the authentication?

Processing is server-side, this wouldn't be possible.

<!-- gh-comment-id:2597324803 --> @ethrydevelops commented on GitHub (Jan 17, 2025): > Would it be possible to overcome this by being logged on in the browser and therefore us my own account for the authentication? Processing is server-side, this wouldn't be possible.
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