How to Recover and See Deleted Instagram Messages [2024]

With millions of users, Instagram has become a central platform for communication through direct messages. Whether it's text, photos, or videos, Instagram DM makes connecting easy. But what happens if you accidentally delete crucial messages? This brings us to the question - Can you recover deleted Instagram messages?

Regardless of the reason, it's reassuring to know that recovery of deleted Instagram messages is possible with the right tools and methods. In this article, we will guide you to recover and see deleted Instagram Messages. Let's get started.

Instagram's Official Stance on Restoring Deleted Messages

Instagram Help Center has made it clear that deleted messages on Instagram cannot be restored with the 'Recently Deleted' feature.

This feature only retrieves dropped photos, videos, reels, and stories. And you should note that it comes with time constraints. Deleted stories are recoverable within 24 hours, while deleted media or reels have a 30-day grace period.

Overall, this feature is a useful addition, but it's not helpful for deleted messages.So you need to use some useful tools and tips to recover and see deleted Instagram Messages.

How to Recover Deleted Instagram Messages

If you're an Instagram user, you've likely come across the issue of deleted messages or disappearing DMs. It can be particularly frustrating, especially when you realize there's no straightforward way to retrieve these messages within the app. Yet, don't despair. This guide is here to cover three ways to get back deleted Instagram DMs.

1from Instagram Data

Instagram's servers can keep your data and activities, including your chat messages. So, if you have downloaded Instagram Data before you delete the messages, you can access them there. You may follow the steps below:

Step 1. Open Instagram and go to your Profile page.

Step 2. Click on the Profile icon and select 'Your activity.'

Step 3. Scroll down and click on 'Download your information' and click on 'Request a download.'

Step 4. Select your Instagram account, select information, and hit 'Submit request.'

Step 5. Once your data files are prepared, hit 'Download' and enter your password. This will allow you to download the file and view your Instagram messages.

Note: You can also download the file via your e-mail. Don't forget, the file will remain available for download for just four days once it's ready. Make sure to nab it in that period.

2 Use Other Third-Party Data Recovery Apps

You can also retrieve deleted Instagram messages with third-party data recovery apps. These apps are usually available in app stores.

Deleted data will not be deleted from your device immediately, and some may remain as cache files. Hence, these tools scan the system for deleted files that haven't been overwritten yet. Once located, the app retrieves and reassembles these files to restore the lost data.

Most data recovery apps typically recover data into separate folders rather than restore it directly back into the corresponding apps. It's then up to the user to view, sort, and replace that data as needed.

Note: It’s best to choose reputable apps for recovering deleted Instagram messages. Still, it is recommended to do research and trial use before purchasing to avoid potential scams.

3From Android Notification History

For Android 11 or above users, the Notification History feature may help you. Suppose you have enabled Instagram Notification and the Notification History feature before the messages are deleted from Instagram. In that case, you can follow the instructions listed below to see deleted Instagram messages by this feature.

Step 1: Go to Settings and tap Notifications.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap on Advanced Settings.

Step 3: Click on Notification history and turn it on.

Step 4: Find the Instagram tab and drop down the menu. You will be able to see all original messages received on your Instagram even those the sender has deleted.

Note: Only the messages you receive show up in Notification; the ones you send aren't recorded.

How to See Deleted Instagram Messages

After researching ways to recover deleted Instagram chat messages, you may still want more options. Whether the previous methods were not effective, you can also seek other avenues for future reference. So, in this section, we'll discuss alternative methods to see deleted Instagram DMs without retrieving them.

1By AirDroid Parenting Monitoring App

The next option is AirDroid Parental Control. You can see Instagram messages from one phone on the other without opening Instagram.

Moreover, Instagram is a popular social media platform among young people. As a parent, you may be concerned about if your kid received or sent inappropriate messages on this platform. In this case, an Instagram parental control app like AirDroid Parental Control is also the solution. Even if your child deletes Instagram messages, the notifications sent to your phone will not be deleted unless you delete them manually.

Step 1. Navigate to the Google Play Store or App Store and download the AirDroid Parental Control app. On your child's device, install the AirDroid Kids app and complete the setup process.

Step 2. Once Instagram messages are synced to the app, you can tap 'Notifications' to view hidden, vanished, and even deleted Instagram chats.

2Request the Chat Partner to Forward These Messages

Suppose that it's you who deleted the Instagram messages by mistake, we recommend that you request the person who you were chatting with to forward them to you. While this may not be ideal, it is still a way to see or retrieve lost or deleted chat history.

With any luck, you can retrieve the messages you are looking for and piece together your chat history. To do this, send a message to your contacts asking them to forward any messages they have from you. Be sure to let them know that you cannot retrieve the messages yourself and that you would appreciate their help.

If the recipient hasn't deleted the messages, they should be able to send them back to you.

Timely Backup for Instagram Messages

While we have mentioned a few ways to recover deleted Instagram messages, making sure they are not lost in the first place does not have to be a difficult task.

Regular backups can be a safety net to protect your valuable messages from accidental deletion or unforeseen loss. You can develop a routine of regular backups - it could be weekly, fortnightly, or even monthly depending on the volume of your messages and their importance.

Backing up Instagram messages doesn’t require any tedious recovery steps. And this simple habit can save both your time and your precious chats.

Go to your profile > three-dots menu > 'Your activity' > 'Download your information' > 'Request a download' > 'Select your account' > 'Select types of information' > 'Messages' and hit 'submit request.'

Note: For more detailed step-by-step images, you can refer to the 'Part 2 - Restore Instagram Messages from Instagram Data' section as the steps are the same.

Wrapping Up

Probably the most common issue people face is they accidentally delete messages from their Instagram chat and want to get them back. So, here we discuss ways to recover deleted Instagram messages and other alternative tips. By the way, the tool we recommend, AirDroid Parental Control, you can also try its web version to safeguard your kids from anywhere without the need for an app!