how to stop instagram from saving posts to camera roll

April 30, 2025

Table of Contents: Steps to Stop Instagram Auto-Save on Camera Roll

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As an active Instagram user, you might be familiar with the feature that automatically saves every image you post on Instagram to your iPhone’s Camera Roll. While some find this feature handy, many find it intrusive or unnecessary, consuming unnecessary storage space and breaching their privacy. If you’re part of the latter group, this guide is tailor-made for you.

Hand holding an iPhone displaying the Instagram settings screen for disabling the auto-save feature, with a blurred background of a yellow surface.

Understanding the Instagram Auto-Save Feature

Before we dive into the solution, it’s important to understand the feature we’re dealing with. Instagram provides an option that, when enabled, saves unedited photos and videos taken with the Instagram camera to your Camera Roll. This setting is turned on by default, which is why you might be seeing every Instagram photo you post appearing in your Camera Roll.

Accessing Instagram Settings on your iPhone

To disable the auto-save feature, you need to navigate to the appropriate settings on the Instagram app. Follow the steps below to reach these settings:

  1. Open the Instagram app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on your profile picture, located at the bottom right corner.
  3. Now tap on the hamburger menu (three lines) on the top right of the profile screen to open the side menu.

Instagram app settings menu on iPhone displaying options for 'Your Activity', 'Saved', 'Close Friends', and highlighted 'Account' section for managing auto-save feature.

In the side menu, you’ll see multiple options. Follow these steps to navigate to the relevant setting:

  1. SelectSettings at the bottom of the menu.
  2. In theSettings page, selectAccount.
  3. Scroll down and pickOriginal Photos.

Disabling the Instagram Auto-Save Feature

Once you’re on the Original Photos page, here’s how to disable the auto-save feature:

  1. Turn off the toggle forSave Original Photos.

Instagram settings menu showing "Original Photos" option and toggle for "Save Original Photos" feature, guiding users to disable auto-save to camera roll.

This will stop Instagram from saving posts to your camera roll. You’ll note a statement on that screen explaining how the feature works. Remember, if you change your mind about disabling this feature later, you can easily turn it back on by following the same steps and switching the toggle on.

After disabling the feature, tap thearrow on the top left to navigate back and exit the app settings.

We hope this detailed guide on how to stop Instagram from saving posts to your camera roll proves useful to you.

Additional Instagram Resources:

For more tips and tricks on how to better manage your Instagram use, check out our otherInstagram tips and how-tos.

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Article by Dave

Hi, I'm Dave, the founder of Amateur Photographer Guide. I created this site to help beginner and hobbyist photographers build their skills and grow their passion. Here, you’ll find easy-to-follow tutorials, gear recommendations, and honest advice to make photography more accessible, enjoyable, and rewarding.