The Instant Save is a concept that was introduced in Season 9 of America's Got Talent during the Semifinals. It appears in live show results episodes (excluding the season finale). American voters can vote to save one of three acts, acts with the least amount of votes among top vote-getters, to the next round. The remaining two acts participate in the Judges' Choice.
In Seasons 17 and 18, an Instant Save-style flash vote was used during the fifth Semifinal results episode to determine the 11th act for the Finals. Each of the four judges nominated an eliminated Semifinalist who they thought deserved a second chance, then the public had 5 minutes to vote for their favorite.
In Season 9, the Instant Save was named the Snapple Save, while from Season 10 to Season 15, it was named the Dunkin' Save. It was renamed the AGT Save in Season 16. The Instant Save did not appear in any of the Champions series.
Season 9[]
| Episode | Round | Winner | Losers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 918 | Semifinals |  Mara Justine Singer |
 Aerial Animation Aerialist |
 David and Leeman Magicians |
| 920 | Semifinals |  Blue Journey Shadow Dance Duo |
 Christian Stoinev Hand Balancer |
 Smoothini Close-Up Magician |
| 922 | Finals (Top 12) |  Sons of Serendip Band |
 Emil and Dariel Rock Cellists |
 Miguel Dakota Singer |
Season 10[]
Starting with this season, the format was revised. In the Quarterfinals, the acts that finished in 6th, 7th and 8th place in the public vote would contest for the Instant Save. In the Semifinals, it would be the acts that finished in 4th, 5th and 6th place.
| Episode | Round | Winner | Losers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1013 | Quarterfinals |  Samantha Johnson Singer |
 Alondra Santos Mariachi Singer |
 The Gentlemen Hip-Hop Dance Duo |
| 1015 | Quarterfinals |  Ira Singing Puppet |
 3 Shades of Blue Pop Rock Band |
 Freckled Sky Video Projection Dance Duo |
| 1017 | Quarterfinals |  Gary Vider Stand-up Comedian |
 Benjamin Yonattan Dancer |
 Daniella Mass Opera Singer |
| 1019 | Semifinals |  Benton Blount Country Singer/Guitarist |
Samantha Johnson Singer |
 The CraigLewis Band R&B Vocal Duo |
| 1021 | Semifinals |  Uzeyer Novruzov Ladder Acrobat |
 Freelusion Videomapping Dance Group |
Gary Vider Stand-up Comedian |
Season 11[]
| Episode | Round | Winner | Losers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1112 | Quarterfinals |  Lori Mae Hernandez Stand-up Comedienne |
 Deadly Games Knife Thrower Duo |
 Hara Magician |
| 1114 | Quarterfinals |  Sal Valentinetti Jazz Singer |
 Kadie Lynn Singer/Guitarist |
 ThroWings Acrobat Duo |
| 1116 | Quarterfinals |  Malevo Malambo Group |
 Linkin' Bridge Vocal Group |
 Ronee Singer |
| 1118 | Semifinals |  Tape Face Mime |
 Edgar Family Band |
 Laura Bretan Opera Singer |
| 1120 | Semifinals |  Sofie Dossi Contortionist/Aerialist |
 Steven Brundage Magician |
 Viktor Kee Juggler |
Season 12[]
| Episode | Round | Winner | Losers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1212 | Quarterfinals |  Christian Guardino Singer |
 Just Jerk Hip-Hop Dance Crew |
 Yoli Mayor Singer |
| 1214 | Quarterfinals |  Evie Clair Singer/Pianist |
 Eric Jones Magician |
 The Masqueraders Soul Trio |
| 1216 | Quarterfinals |  Colin Cloud Mentalist |
 Angelina Green Singer |
 DaNell Daymon & Greater Works Gospel Choir |
| 1218 | Semifinals | Evie Clair Singer/Pianist |
 Chase Goehring Singer/Guitarist |
Eric Jones Magician |
| 1220 | Semifinals |  Kechi Singer |
Colin Cloud Mentalist |
 Diavolo Acrobatic Dance Group |
Season 13[]
| Episode | Round | Winner | Losers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1311 | Quarterfinals |  Angel City Chorale Choir |
 Junior New System Dance Group |
 Mochi Multimedia Juggler |
| 1314 | Quarterfinals |  Makayla Phillips Singer |
 Da RepubliK Dance Group |
 Front Pictures Multimedia Performance Act |
| 1316 | Quarterfinals |  Daniel Emmet Opera Singer |
 Aaron Crow Danger Act |
 The Future Kingz Dance Group |
| 1318 | Semifinals |  Samuel J. Comroe Stand-Up Comedian |
 Duo Transcend Trapeze Duo |
 Voices of Hope Children's Choir Choir |
| 1320 | Semifinals |  Glennis Grace Singer |
Daniel Emmet Opera Singer |
 We Three Band |
Season 14[]
| Episode | Round | Winner | Losers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1412 | Quarterfinals |  Ansley Burns Singer |
 Emerald Belles Drill Dance Team |
 Sophie Pecora Singer and Guitarist |
| 1414 | Quarterfinals |  Chris Kläfford Singer and Guitarist |
 Charlotte Summers Singer |
 Ndlovu Youth Choir Choir |
| 1416 | Quarterfinals |  Jackie Fabulous Stand-Up Comedienne |
 Lukas & Falco Dog Act |
 Marcin Patrzalek Guitarist |
| 1418 | Semifinals |  Light Balance Kids Light-Up Dance Crew |
Ndlovu Youth Choir Choir |
 Robert Finley Singer |
| 1420 | Semifinals |  Ryan Niemiller Stand-Up Comedian |
 Emanne Beasha Opera Singer |
 Alex Dowis Blacklight Painter |
Season 15[]
The format for Season 15 is the same across the Quarterfinals and Semifinals due to season reshuffling. The acts finishing in 4th, 5th and 6th place contested the Instant Save.
| Episode | Round | Winner | Losers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1510 | Quarterfinals |  Brett Loudermilk Sword Swallower |
 Feng E Ukulelist |
 Double Dragon Singing Duo |
| 1512 | Quarterfinals |  Spyros Bros Diabolo Duo |
 Alexis Brownley & The Puppy Pals Dog Act |
 Jonathan Goodwin Daredevil |
| 1514 | Quarterfinals |  W.A.F.F.L.E. Crew Dance Group |
 Malik DOPE Drummer |
 Nolan Neal Singer/Guitarist |
| 1516 | Quarterfinals |  Celina Singer |
 Bello Sisters Acrobatic Trio |
 Resound Vocal Trio |
| 1518 | Semifinals |  Alan Silva Aerialist |
 Archie Williams Singer |
Malik DOPE Drummer |
| 1520 | Semifinals |  Kenadi Dodds Singer/Guitarist |
 BAD Salsa Salsa Duo |
 Max Major Magician |
Season 16[]
| Episode | Round | Winner | Losers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1610 | Quarterfinals |  Kabir Singh Stand-Up Comedian |
 Beyond Belief Dance Company Dance Group |
 Madilyn Bailey Singer |
| 1612 | Quarterfinals |  Tory Vagasy Singer |
 T.3 Vocal Trio |
 Korean Soul Band |
| 1614 | Quarterfinals |  Michael Winslow Voicetramentalist |
 Storm Large Singer |
 UniCircle Flow Unicycle Group |
| 1616 | Semifinals |  Jimmie Herrod Singer |
Michael Winslow Voicetramentalist |
 World Taekwondo Demonstration Team Martial Arts Group |
| 1618 | Semifinals |  Léa Kyle Quick Change Artist |
UniCircle Flow Unicycle Group |
 Victory Brinker Opera Singer |
Trivia[]
- No act that has won the Instant Save has won the competition overall, but six acts have placed in the top 5. Ryan Niemiller finished third in Season 14, Sons of Serendip and Samuel J. Comroe placed fourth in Seasons 9 and 13 respectively, and Sal Valentinetti, Alan Silva and Léa Kyle placed fifth in Seasons 11, 15 and 16 respectively.
- The Season 16 semifinals saw the first instances of more than one Golden Buzzer act contesting for the Instant Save.
- Evie Clair is the only act who received the Instant Save twice.
- Four acts have lost the Instant Save twice: Eric Jones, Ndlovu Youth Choir, Malik DOPE, and UniCircle Flow.
- Coincidentally, Eric Jones lost both times to the same act: Evie Clair.