How to Save Pinterest Photos to Your Camera Roll: Simple Methods

Pinterest is a treasure trove of inspiring images, from DIY ideas and recipes to fashion inspiration and stunning photography. Naturally, you might want to save some of these visuals directly to your camera roll to use as inspiration, wallpapers, or for offline access. While Pinterest aims to keep content within its platform, there are still straightforward ways to download those captivating photos to your phone’s photo library.

This guide will walk you through the most effective methods to save Pinterest photos to your camera roll, ensuring you can keep your favorite finds readily accessible.

Method 1: Using the Download Image Option (When Available)

Pinterest sometimes offers a direct download option for certain Pins, depending on the image source and format. This is the easiest method if available. Here’s how to check:

1. Open Pinterest and find the Pin you want to save. Tap on the image to open it fully.

2. Look for the three-dot menu icon, usually located at the bottom right or top right corner of the Pin.

3. Tap the three-dot menu. A menu with options should appear.

4. Check for a “Download Image” option. If you see this option, tap on it.

   Pinterest share button on iPhone, showing options to share or save

   If the “Download Image” option is available, the photo will be directly saved to your camera roll or photos app.

Method 2: The “Save to Board, Then Download” Workaround

If the direct “Download Image” option isn’t available (which is often the case), a reliable workaround involves saving the Pin to one of your Pinterest boards first, and then downloading it from there. Here’s how it works:

1. Find the Pinterest photo you want to save and tap to open it.

2. Tap the “Save” button to save the Pin to one of your Pinterest boards. You can choose an existing board or create a new one.

3. Go to your profile by tapping your profile picture at the bottom right of the app.

4. Navigate to the board where you saved the image.

5. Find the image within your board and tap on it to open it again.

6. Tap the three-dot menu icon.

7. This time, you should see a “Download Image” option. Tap “Download Image”.

   Pinterest interface on iPhone, possibly showing a pin detail view

   By saving to a board first, Pinterest often makes the download option accessible, allowing you to save the image to your camera roll.

Method 3: Taking a Screenshot (Alternative Method)

While not ideal for image quality, taking a screenshot is a universal method that always works to “save” what you see on your screen, including Pinterest photos.

1. Open the Pinterest image you want to save and ensure it’s displayed clearly on your screen.
2. Take a screenshot using your phone’s screenshot function (usually a combination of power and volume buttons, or power and home button depending on your device).
3. Crop the screenshot in your Photos app to remove any unnecessary screen elements and keep only the Pinterest image.

Screenshots are quick but may reduce image quality and resolution compared to downloading the original image. Use this method as a last resort if download options are unavailable and image quality is not a primary concern.

Choosing the Best Method

For the best image quality and ease of use, always check for the direct “Download Image” option first. If that’s not available, the “Save to Board, then Download” method is usually a very effective workaround. Screenshots are a fallback for when download options are simply not present and a quick capture is sufficient.

By using these methods, you can effectively save your favorite Pinterest photos to your camera roll and keep your inspirational visuals within easy reach. Enjoy browsing and saving!