Deleting a message on Instagram is advertised as a complete erasing of the offending message. With a single tap, the message is gone and it’s like it was never sent in the first place. Well, that’s not entirely true.
There are some ways you can access deleted messages on Instagram. Instagram doesn’t make this obvious, but it can be done. And that’s a good thing because it’s easy to delete messages and even entire conversations with the slip of a finger.
You may accidentally delete some vital information, so it is reassuring that you can get those messages back. We’ll walk you through some methods of doing that.
Can you restore messages with the “Recently Deleted” feature?
The “Recently Deleted” feature is an addition to the Instagram app, that holds content that has been deleted from the account for 30 days, or 24 hours for Stories. It’s quite a handy feature.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t extend to messages. This feature is only applicable to photos, videos, reels, and stories, so it won’t help you see deleted messages.
How To View Deleted Instagram Messages
Trying to view a deleted message on Instagram can be tricky. However, these are a few tested methods of seeing them.
Recover the deleted messages from Instagram Data
When you delete a message on Instagram, it is erased from your chat and that of the recipient. However, these messages may still be on Instagram’s servers.
You can download all your stored content, including videos, photos, and messages through “Instagram Data.” Here’s how to do it:
On the App
- Open Instagram and click on the profile page.
- Click on the menu icon at the top right of the page, then click on “Your Activity.”
- Go to the bottom of this list and click on “Download your information.” This will take you to Meta’s account centre.
- On that screen, click on “Request a Download.”
- Select your Instagram account, the kind of information you want, and file options. Then click submit request.
On Instagram Web
- Open the Instagram website and log in with your account.
- Click on your profile picture at the top right of the page.
- Select ‘Edit Profile” from the menu
- On the settings page, click on the “Accounts Centre” card. This will take you to Meta’s account centre, showing you a rundown of your profiles on the company’s different platforms.
- Find “Your Information And Permissions” on the settings page.
- Then, click on “Download Your Information.”
- On that screen, click on “Request a download.”
- Select your Instagram account, the kind of information you want, and file options. Then click submit request.
Instagram says to wait for up to 24 hours to get an email from Instagram to initiate your download. However, you should see the link in about two hours.
Use a third-party app
Some third-party apps claim the ability to retrieve these deleted messages through cache files. They may be your solution if the first method doesn’t work.
However, ensure to properly vet the app of your choice before using it. These apps may contain malicious that could steal your data.
Deleting an Instagram message accidentally doesn’t always mean that it is gone for good. With these steps, you just might retrieve it. Good luck!
