Easy Ways to Get Deleted Instagram Pics Back

Make old Instagram posts visible again with our in-depth guide

Last Updated: January 26, 2024

Generally, if you delete something, it's gone. Instagram, however, stores all your content even after you delete it, so there's a slight possibility you can recover it. This wikiHow will show you how you can recover deleted Instagram posts using a few methods.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Checking the Recently Deleted Folder on the Mobile App

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1
Open Instagram. This app icon looks like a camera icon over a rainbow background that you can find on your Home screen, in the app drawer, or by searching.
- Log in if prompted.
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This is in the lower right corner of your screen. Your profile page will open.

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This three-line menu button is in the top right corner of your screen.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

It's the first option in the menu next to a gear icon.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You'll see this near the middle of the menu next to a silhouette icon.
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6
Tap Recently Deleted . This is near the bottom of the menu (if you don't see this option, you may not have the most recent version of the app and should update).
- You can also access this option using the ≡ menu on your profile page. Tap on the ≡ icon, then navigate to to Your activity> Recently Deleted .
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7
Tap the thumbnail that you want to restore. You'll be able to see all your photos, Stories, reels, IGTV videos, and video posts here.
- Tap Restore to restore it to your profile. ^{[1]
  X
  Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Checking the Instagram Archive Feature

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1
Open Instagram. This app icon looks like a camera icon over a rainbow background that you can find on your Home screen, in the app drawer, or by searching.
- Since its introduction in 2017, the archive feature is the default action to removing/hiding posts instead of deleting them. You might be able to find your old content here.
- Log in if prompted.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Tap your profile image or the silhouette

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. This is in the lower right of your screen. Your profile page will open.
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A menu will slide out.
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A list of your archived Stories will appear.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/64\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

A menu will drop down and you can choose Stories Archive or Posts Archive .
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d8\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

6
Tap an image to view it. You'll see a list of all the content you've archived, and tapping one will open it with more details and options.
- Your post and all its original comments will load ^{[2]
  X
  Research source} .
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-14-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-14-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6b\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-14-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-14-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You'll see this at the top of the post.
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It will appear back in your Instagram timeline where it originally was.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Checking Your Phone Gallery on Android

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1
Open My Files. This app icon looks like a folder, and you'll most likely find this on one of your Home screens, in the app drawer, or by searching.
- You'll only find an Instagram album if you enabled the feature in Instagram to save your posts locally. ^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
- You'll only find the videos/photos you took with the Instagram app camera, not the entire post that you created. You also will not find pictures you uploaded from your default camera roll into Instagram here.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-17.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-17.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-17.jpg\/v4-728px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-17.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You'll see this listed below "Recent files" and "Categories."
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/83\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-18.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-18.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/83\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-18.jpg\/v4-728px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-18.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You might have to scroll down to see this.
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You'll see all the pictures you took from the Instagram app.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Checking Your Phone Gallery on iPhone and iPad

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1
Open Photos. This app icon looks like a multicolored flower. You can find this app on your home screen or by searching.
- You'll only find an Instagram album if you enabled the feature in Instagram to save your posts locally. ^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
- You'll only find the videos/photos you took with the Instagram app camera, not the entire post that you created. You also will not find pictures you uploaded from your default camera roll into Instagram here.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-21.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-21.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1b\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-21.jpg\/v4-728px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-21.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

It's usually the second from the right icon next to "Search." ^{[5]
X
Research source}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-15.jpg\/v4-728px-Recover-Deleted-Instagram-Posts-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You'll see all the pictures and videos you took from the Instagram app, but you won't find a copy of the entire post.

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You can also try viewing your Instagram profile using the Wayback Machine at https://archive.org/web/ . You'll need to enter your Instagram profile URL into the text box at the top of the page to continue to pick a date to view from the calendar. The Wayback Machine does not have the URL of every Instagram account archived, so you might not see your profile.

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Easy Ways to Get Deleted Instagram Pics Back

Steps

Checking the Recently Deleted Folder on the Mobile App

Checking the Instagram Archive Feature

Checking Your Phone Gallery on Android

Checking Your Phone Gallery on iPhone and iPad

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

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