Insta Public Archiver

A Python script designed to download all media (photos and videos) from public Instagram profiles without requiring a login. It leverages Instagram's public API endpoints to fetch and save media content efficiently.

Files

python
import instaloader
import time
import random
import sys
import os

def download_posts_anonymous(username):
    """
    Downloads posts from a specified profile anonymously.
    It creates a dedicated sub-folder for EACH post to ensure
    an organized file structure.
    
    Directory Structure:
    Username / YYYY-MM-DD_Shortcode / Files (jpg, mp4, txt)
    """
    
    # Initialize Instaloader with specific configurations
    L = instaloader.Instaloader(
        download_pictures=True,
        download_videos=True, 
        download_video_thumbnails=False,
        download_geotags=False, 
        download_comments=False,
        compress_json=False,
        save_metadata=False # Disable metadata JSONs for a cleaner output
    )

    try:
        print(f"--- Searching for profile: '{username}' ---")
        
        # Create profile object (Anonymous access - No login required)
        profile = instaloader.Profile.from_username(L.context, username)
        
        print(f"Profile Found: {profile.username}")
        print(f"Total Media Count: {profile.mediacount}")
        print("Download starting... (Organized by folders)")
        print("-" * 40)

        counter = 0
        
        # Iterate over all posts
        for post in profile.get_posts():
            try:
                # Define folder naming convention: e.g., 2023-10-27_Cy8x...
                folder_name = f"{post.date:%Y-%m-%d}_{post.shortcode}"
                
                # Ensure profile directory exists (Username/)
                profile_dir = profile.username
                os.makedirs(profile_dir, exist_ok=True)

                # For logging: Username / YYYY-MM-DD_Shortcode
                target_directory = f"{profile_dir}/{folder_name}"
                
                print(f"[{counter + 1}] Processing: {folder_name}")
                
                # Download the post into the profile directory — Instaloader
                # will create the per-post folder (YYYY-MM-DD_Shortcode) inside it.
                L.download_post(post, target=profile_dir)
                print(f"   -> Saved to: {target_directory}")
                
                counter += 1
                
                # --- CRITICAL: Rate Limit Protection ---
                # Since we are not logged in, we must add a random delay
                # to mimic human behavior and avoid IP bans.
                # sleep_time = random.randint(12, 25)
                # print(f"   -> Saved to: {target_directory}")
                # print(f"   -> Sleeping... ({sleep_time}s)")
                # time.sleep(sleep_time)

            except Exception as e_inner:
                print(f"   -> Error with this post, skipping: {e_inner}")
                # Wait briefly before attempting the next post
                time.sleep(5)

        print("-" * 40)
        print(f"Process Completed! Total posts: {counter}")
        print(f"Check the '{username}' folder for sub-folders.")

    except instaloader.ConnectionException as e:
        print(f"\nConnection Error: IP restricted. Try again later.")
        print(f"Error Details: {e}")
    except instaloader.ProfileNotExistsException:
        print(f"\nError: Profile '{username}' not found.")
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"\nUnexpected Error: {e}")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    target_username = input("Enter Instagram Username: ")
    download_posts_anonymous(target_username)