How to see and recover deleted messages on Instagram

It’s easy to make a hasty decision to delete something on Instagram.

But whether you hit the delete button on a whim or carefully considered the decision over a week, you might realize it was a mistake.

Retrieving deleted posts on Instagram is easy with the archive feature, but recovering old chats is a different story — the solution is a little more complex. Read on to learn how to see deleted messages on Instagram.

Can you recover deleted messages using Instagram’s “Recently Deleted” feature?

Even if you’re an avid social media user, you may not have heard of Instagram’s “Recently Deleted” feature.

Users can retrieve their own deleted Instagram stories for up to 24 hours and deleted profile posts, reels, and videos for up to 30 days. But unfortunately, it doesn’t do the same for chats or individual messages. To retrieve deleted messages on Instagram, you’ll need to use an Insta recovery tool or another workaround.

How to retrieve deleted messages on Instagram in 3 ways

Whether you deleted a message by accident or just without thinking, you want your message back from the internet void. It might seem hopeless, but there are a few things you can do, depending on what kind of phone you have and whether you’re willing to download a third-party app. Here are three methods to try:

1. Recover messages from Instagram Data

Even if your messages are no longer in your direct message center and all hope seems lost, Instagram’s servers may still have them saved. To access this data, you can send a download request to Meta. This method should work for both iPhone and Android. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Instagram app
2. Visit your profile page and click on the top-right settings menu
3. Select “Your activity”
4. Scroll to the bottom and click on “Download your information”
5. Press “Request a download”

Meta will then send you a file of everything you’ve ever done on Instagram, from posts to messages. When you receive your file, you’ll have four days to download it. Although your messages won’t return to the DM chat box they came from, this is a great way to retrieve data if you want to reference an old message.

2. Use a third-party app to recover deleted messages

Third-party apps such as U.Fone and FoneLab can retrieve deleted data by accessing the cache files on your iOS or Android device – the sneaky Instagram backup you didn’t know you had.

These apps can recover deleted messages on Instagram, as well as files, texts, and audio. Both U.Fone and FoneLab have simple user interfaces and easy-to-follow instructions that guide you through recovering the specific data you’re searching for.

Although using third-party software is a common way to access old data, it’s best to do your own research before downloading and using any apps. Hackers sometimes create custom applications enticing users to download their software unwittingly, which means they could gain access to your personal data and use it without your knowledge.

Stay alert and cross-reference numerous sources before downloading any new applications onto your device (or offering up your account information).

3. Try Notification History on Android

Viewing Notification History may work to retrieve deleted messages for users operating with Android 11 and above. If you had Instagram notifications and Notification History enabled on your device before you deleted your messages, you can follow these steps:

1. Go to your settings
2. Click on “Notifications” and then select “Advanced settings”
3. Select “Notification History”

In Notification History, you can review all original messages received from Instagram, even if the sender has since deleted them. Just keep in mind that this only works if you had Instagram notifications turned on when you received the messages, and you can only see ones you received, not sent.

Frequently asked questions about deleted messages

Some questions are more common than others – here’s a list of FAQs:

Can I recover deleted Instagram DMs?

Yes, you can recover deleted messages by requesting a download link from Instagram, viewing your notification history on Android, or using a third-party app.

What should I do if the Instagram download doesn’t include the message I want to recover?

If the Instagram download doesn’t have the messages you wanted to see, it could be that Instagram has deleted them from its server. In this case, try using a reputable third-party app to search your device’s cache instead.

Are Instagram messages deleted forever?

Instagram claims that deleted data takes 90 days to be removed from its systems. After that, there’s a good chance those messages are gone forever.

How do I tell if a third-party app is safe?

Before downloading any third-party application onto your device, verify the app’s authenticity with a little research. Check the reviews and look online to see what previous users have to say. Only take recommendations from trusted sources and confirm the app’s certification.

How can I permanently delete Instagram messages on both sides?

If you’re in a pinch and sent something by mistake, hold down on the message you want to delete and press “Unsend” from the pop-up menu to permanently delete messages on Instagram. This will delete your message for you and the recipient.

Remember that they may have already seen your message, whether they opened the app before you could delete it or saw the notification on their lockscreen. They also could have screenshotted it. If you don’t want someone to see a message, you have to act fast.

Can vanish mode messages be recovered?

Instagram deletes vanish mode messages as soon as someone opens them, so unfortunately, you can’t recover them – not even from requesting a download.

Instead of deleting messages on Instagram, is there a way to make my inbox silent?

Yes, you can turn off Instagram notifications so you don’t get constant pings throughout the day. If particular people are messaging you more than you’d like, try muting them on Instagram. You can also hide likes and other notifications so your phone stays silent.

Say hello to deleted messages

If you use Instagram DMs as your primary source of communication, you’ve probably sent a message or two you wanted to delete. And if you’re here now, you may have sent one or two you want back.

Almost everyone has wondered how to see deleted messages on Instagram at some point. And we hope our advice has given you the tools you need to reunite with that DM you miss.

If you want to keep up with the latest in social media, make sure to check out the Yambo Link blog for insider tips and tricks. If you’re new to Instagram, we can teach you how to turn off your active status and turn on vanish mode to lay low and go incognito. Or, if you’re looking for more business content, we’ll show you how to see powerful insights on Instagram and build your following.