First, the part that is not a legal question
Downloading a file to your own device and republishing someone's photo are different acts with different answers. Treat them separately, because the second one is where problems actually start.
What copyright says, in plain terms
- The photographer owns the photo, from the moment it is taken — with or without a © notice.
- "Public" is not a licence. A public post means anyone may look at it. It does not grant permission to reuse it.
- Personal use — saving a photo you want to look at later, or one of your own — is the least risky ground.
- Republishing, selling, or using it in your own content normally needs the owner's permission.
When downloading is clearly fine
- It is your own photo, posted from your own account.
- You have the photographer's permission — a message counts.
- The post carries an explicit licence, such as a Creative Commons statement, and you follow its terms.
When it is not
- Reposting someone's photo as your own, with or without credit.
- Using a photo commercially — advertising, a product page, a print — without a licence.
- Saving a photo of a person for purposes they would object to. Copyright is not the only rule that applies.
A practical habit: if you plan to publish, ask first. Most photographers say yes to a credited share, and they say no far more often to a silent repost. The answer costs one message.
What PicVault does and does not claim
PicVault is an independent tool, not affiliated with Instagram or Meta. It reads public posts and gives you the file. It makes no claim about what you may do with that file afterwards — that part is on you. Save only content you have the right to save.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules differ by country, and this is not a substitute for a lawyer's opinion on your specific case.