Quick Answer
In most cases, it is not possible to recover a deleted Instagram post. Once a post is deleted from Instagram, it is typically gone for good. However, there are a few limited cases where a deleted post can be recovered:
- If you deleted the post very recently, you may be able to restore it by logging into Instagram on the web, going to your profile, and looking in the Recently Deleted section under Settings.
- If someone else reposted or took a screenshot of your deleted post, you may be able to find it through them.
- Law enforcement or legal requests may be able to recover deleted posts in some cases.
So in summary, while very difficult, it is sometimes possible to find deleted Instagram posts through the app itself, reposts, screenshots or legal means. But the content is usually gone forever once deleted.
What happens when you delete an Instagram post?
When you delete an Instagram post, it is removed from your profile and feed immediately. However, it does not disappear right away. Deleted posts initially go into an archive where they remain for up to 90 days.
During this time, the post is not visible to anyone but you can still restore it by logging into Instagram on a web browser and looking in the “Recently Deleted” section under Settings. This gives you a limited window to recover mistakenly deleted posts.
After the 90 day archive period ends, the deleted post and its metadata are permanently erased from Instagram’s servers. Once this happens, there is no way for Instagram to recover the post. It is gone for good.
So in summary:
- Deleted posts are immediately removed from public view on Instagram
- They are archived for up to 90 days where only you can see them
- After 90 days, the post and metadata are permanently deleted
- Once permanently deleted, Instagram cannot recover the posts
This system gives users a window to undo mistakes but eventually cleans up the archive. Permanently deleting old content saves storage space on Instagram’s servers. It also prevents people’s old posts from haunting them forever online!
Can you see who viewed your deleted Instagram posts?
No, it is not possible to see who viewed an Instagram post after it has been deleted.
When you delete a post, Instagram removes all metrics and analytics associated with that post, including number of likes, comments, saves, reach, and views. This information disappears from Instagram’s servers along with the post content after the 90 day archive period.
There is no way to look back and see how many people saw, interacted with, or had access to a post that has been permanently deleted. Those insights are gone for good.
Instagram does not keep records of who specifically looked at or opened a certain post. So there is no list of usernames or followers who saw a particular post before it was deleted that could be recalled.
The only way to have some sense of who saw a post before deletion is if you somehow documented the likes, comments, or reach metrics shortly after posting and before deleting. But Instagram itself does not store or show records of individual viewers of deleted posts.
In summary:
- All metrics and analytics for a post are erased when it is deleted
- This includes number of views, reach, and list of viewers
- Instagram does not keep records of who saw a specific post
- There is no way to see who viewed a post after deletion
So if you want to see who engaged with a post before deletion, be sure to take screenshots or notes after posting. The data is gone once that post is deleted.
Can you recover a deleted message on Instagram?
Unfortunately, there is no way to recover a deleted direct message that was sent through Instagram’s messaging platform, either as a regular message or within a group chat.
When a user deletes a message on Instagram, it is permanently removed from Instagram’s servers and cannot be retrieved, even by Instagram itself. This applies to both outgoing messages you have sent and incoming messages you have received. Once either party deletes a message, it is gone for good in both inboxes.
Some key points about recovering deleted Instagram messages:
- Deleted messages cannot be retrieved by Instagram or the sender
- Your only hope is if the recipient took a screenshot before it was deleted
- Instagram does not store records of past messages in their servers
- You cannot see who else was in a group chat after leaving it
- Factory resetting your device also erases message history locally
The only way you could potentially recover a deleted Instagram message is if the recipient took a screenshot before opening and deleting it. You would need to ask them to share that screenshot with you.
But Instagram itself provides no means of retrieving deleted direct messages. Once it’s gone, it’s really gone for good. Going forward, it’s a good idea to screenshot or save important conversations before someone deletes them.
Can Instagram recover a disabled or hacked account?
If your Instagram account has been disabled or hacked, you may be able to recover it by reaching out to Instagram directly to appeal the deactivation. Here is some information on regaining access to disabled or hacked Instagram accounts:
- If you are logged out, try resetting your password to regain access. Instagram will send a password reset link to your associated email or phone number.
- If your account has been disabled, you can submit an appeal to Instagram to review the deactivation decision. There are forms available in the Instagram app and website to do this.
- Provide as much information as possible to prove you are the legitimate account owner such as username, associated email/phone number, date of creation, etc.
- For hacked accounts, use the hacked account recovery form on Instagram’s website and be ready to send a photo of you holding a code provided by email
- It may take up to 24 hours for a response from Instagram to an account recovery request
- Instagram is able to reactivate disabled or hacked accounts in many cases after review
The key is getting Instagram’s attention quickly and providing as much helpful information as you can to prove you are the rightful account owner. This requires being ready to recover accounts before they are disabled or hacked.
Record your original sign up email, account creation date, device info, and any other relevant data in case you ever need to show Instagram you are the legitimate owner.
If you believe your account has been unfairly disabled, be sure to politely but firmly appeal the decision as many times as needed to get your account back. Don’t hesitate to contact Instagram support for help recovering access.
Is it possible to retrieve expired Instagram stories?
Unfortunately, once an Instagram story expires after 24 hours it is not possible to retrieve or recover it through Instagram. Instagram stories are meant to be ephemeral content that disappears, so there is no built-in way to access expired stories.
However, there are a couple ways you may be able to find an expired Instagram story:
- If you posted the story, you may have automatically saved it to your camera roll or storage without realizing.
- Other viewers may have taken screenshots of your story before it expired.
- Some third party apps can download stories to archive them.
But Instagram itself does not store or make available expired stories. If neither you nor your viewers saved the story before it expired, it is most likely lost forever.
A few things to keep in mind about retrieving expired stories:
- Instagram deletes expired stories automatically after 24 hours
- Stories are meant to be temporary content
- Neither Instagram or the OP can recover an expired story
- Your only hope is if someone archived the story before expiration
In summary, be sure to save important Instagram stories manually before they expire through screenshots, downloads, or reposting on a feed. Once a story expires after 24 hours, consider that content gone for good unless someone happened to archive it in time.
Conclusion
While Instagram does not permanently delete content right away, allowing for a short recovery window, it ultimately erases posts, messages, and stories completely after a period of time.
Once Instagram data is permanently deleted from their servers, there is unfortunately no way to recover it. The content is gone for good.
However, with vigilance from yourself and your contacts, it is sometimes possible to find deleted Instagram content through screenshots, downloads, and other archives before that window closes. But the ability to restore deleted data directly through Instagram itself is very limited.
Going forward, be sure to back up any important Instagram posts, conversations, or stories that you want to save before someone deletes them or they expire. Once erased on Instagram, they could very well be lost forever without those backups. Pay attention to download and screenshot abilities in the app that allow you to memorialize content before it disappears.