How to Copy Comments on Instagram: A Simple Guide for iPhone & Web

So, you’ve been trying to copy a comment on Instagram, tapping your screen like you’re sending a Morse code message for “HELP,” only to find… nothing happens. Fun, right?

Let’s be clear: it’s not you, it’s them. The Instagram app, in its infinite wisdom, decided that letting you copy text from a comment was a feature you could live without. It’s a brilliant strategy to boost your manual transcription skills, obviously.

But sometimes, you really need that text. Maybe it’s a book recommendation, a link to a hilarious video, or a foreign phrase you want to pop into Google Translate. So, can you copy comments on Instagram? The answer is a frustrating “no” in the app, but a resounding “hell yes” with a clever workaround.

Don't worry, we’ve got the cheat code. And it’s surprisingly simple.

How to Copy Comments on Instagram: The Official Unofficial Method

It can feel frustrating when something you expect to work simply doesn't. But finding a path around a challenge, step by step, brings its own quiet sense of accomplishment. Think of this less as a hassle and more as outsmarting the system.

Here’s the game plan.

1. First, you need to copy the link of the post itself.
2. Open your favorite web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox—they all work) and paste the link into the address bar.
3. Once the post loads, scroll down and find the comments section.
4. Locate that golden comment you’ve been chasing.
5. Now, simply tap, hold, and select the text like you would on any other webpage.
6. Voilà! Copy it and paste it wherever your heart desires.

This little trick works perfectly on both desktop and mobile, so you can easily copy Instagram comments on your iPhone or Android device.

A Closer Look: How to Copy an Instagram Post Link

Stuck on that first step? No problem. Getting the post link is the key that unlocks everything. Here’s a quick breakdown.

1. Open your Instagram app and navigate to the post with the comment you want.
2. Tap the three dots (the little menu icon) at the top-right corner of the post.
3. A menu will pop up. Select “Copy link.”
4. The link is now saved to your clipboard, ready for action.
5. Switch over to your web browser and paste the link. Instagram might ask you to log in, which can make the process smoother.
6. Find the comment, tap and hold over the text, select what you need, and hit “Copy.”

And just like that, you’ve learned how to copy text from Instagram comments. Simple, quick, and now part of your digital toolkit.

So, Why Can’t You Copy Comments Directly From The App?

Ever wonder why an app with billions in funding prevents the direct copying of comments from within its app? You’re not alone. While other platforms like Twitter have had this figured out since day one, Instagram remains a fortress against text selection.

No one outside of Meta’s hallowed halls knows the real reason. The most generous guess is that it’s a clumsy attempt to prevent spamming activity. A noble, if ineffective, cause. A more realistic take? They’re probably too busy pretending to fight spamming activity from its users on a platform practically built on it to add a feature that’s been standard for over a decade.

There’s been no official word, so all we can do is guess and, well, use the workaround.

Can You Copy Text From an Instagram Story?

Oh, you thought the text on an Instagram Story was… actual text? Bless your heart.

Sadly, the answer is no. You can't copy text from an Instagram Story because it isn't really there. Think of it less as a text field and more as a fancy, word-shaped font sticker that’s been flattened onto the image. Just like you can't copy words out of a YouTube video, you can't lift them from a Story.

Final Thoughts: The Path Less Traveled

Sometimes, the answer you need is locked away right in front of you, just out of reach. The direct path—tapping the screen—yields nothing. But when you step outside the familiar walls of the app and into the wider world of a web browser, the hidden words finally reveal themselves.

Until Instagram decides to join the rest of the internet, this is our way. The only option to get more comments on Instagram worth saving is to grab that post link, pop it in a browser, and do the copy-paste dance you’re used to.

It’s not the most convenient path, but it’s the one that works. And sometimes, the deepest truths—or just a really good meme—are found on the path less traveled.