Instagram has allowed users to stream live video via their social accounts for awhile now.

However, those streams have been a broadcast-then-blow-away phenomenon. If you reckon you should be able to save them for posterity, then read on.

Live Vid Insta-catch-up

Facebook has done live video since January 2016. Twitter has had Periscope for ages, but smartly integrated it into its core app in late 2016. For both these social popstars, allowing users to save a copy of their live streams just seemed sensible.

Apparently Instagram didn’t see the sense.

In fact, Instagram has been habitually late to social video parties. Video ads were incubated a long time before launching on the platform. Live Stories only made it onto Instagram in December 2016, and then without the ability to save a copy for later.

How to save Live Instagram Video

As of now, though, Instagram does let users save a copy of their Live Stories video for later viewing.

To start a live video on Instagram, tap the camera icon in the top left of the screen, then tap Live at the bottom of the screen, then tap Start Live Video. Point your device at interesting things for a while, then tap again to end your show.

Once you end your live broadcast, the new functionality comes into play. Now, you get the option to Save in the upper right corner. So, hit Save—Your video file will save to your camera roll.

It’s easy to do, but it might take a while to save—especially if your video was long.

Limits and availability

Saved live videos go to the device’s camera roll, but will still disappear from users Instagram feed after the broadcast finishes. Being saved to the users device means they can archive it or re-post it as they like.

It is worth noting that the save function does not capture details such as comments, likes, stats about viewer numbers and any other interactions.

The ability to save your live streams is on Instagram’s virtual shelves now. If it doesn’t seem to work yet on your device, keep a look out for app updates—it may appear with the next push.

Copy Transmission is a Melbourne-based agency :: Better Brands. Loud & Clear.