Restore deleted Instagram content

If you deleted a photo, video, Reel or Story from your account, look for it in the recently deleted content area in the Instagram app. Instagram says content stays there for up to 30 days; Stories that are not in your archive stay for up to 24 hours. Deleted messages cannot be restored from that section. See Instagram’s steps and limits.

Restore a photo, video, Reel or Story

Use the Instagram app. Update it first if you cannot find the option.

1. Open the profile that posted the content and tap the menu.
2. Open Your activity and find the area for recently deleted content under removed and archived content. Instagram may hide this option if you have not deleted anything recently.
3. Choose the item’s category: posts, Reels and videos, or Stories.
4. Tap the item, then choose the restore option.
5. Confirm when Instagram asks you to restore it.

The official capture reviewed for this page shows the controls in English. The labels above describe the route and may appear differently in your app’s language. Return to your profile and check whether the item appears in its original place.

Fictional example

Say you deleted a photo eight days ago. Open Posts in Recently Deleted, select the photo and confirm the restoration. If you deleted a Story that was not archived 26 hours ago, the 24-hour window in Instagram’s guidance has passed, so it may no longer appear in that section.

If you cannot find the item

• Recently Deleted is missing: Instagram says the option may not appear if you have not deleted content recently. Check that you are using the right account, then look again in the app.
• The photo, video, Reel or Story is missing: check the category and time limit. Content leaves this section after 30 days; for a Story that is not in your archive, the limit is up to 24 hours.
• Instagram removed the post: that is different from deleting it yourself. Check your Account Status and review options for Instagram’s notice.
• You deleted a DM: Instagram says deleted messages cannot be restored through this feature. This page does not treat a data download as a way to recover messages.

Control names and locations can vary with your app language. This route covers photos, videos, Reels and Stories you deleted; it does not promise to recover content after its time limit.