Have you ever accidentally deleted an Instagram post, story, or reel, only to regret it moments later? Don’t worry—you’re not alone!
Instagram understands that mistakes happen, which is why they’ve introduced the “Recently Deleted” feature.
This built-in tool acts as a safety net, allowing you to recover deleted content within a set time frame before it’s permanently erased.
In this guide, I’ll take you through the steps to recover your deleted posts, explain how the feature works, and share some tips to prevent accidental losses in the future.
Also Read: What Happens When You Clear Data on the Instagram App?
What is Instagram’s "Recently Deleted" Feature?
Instagram’s "Recently Deleted" feature is designed to help users retrieve content they’ve mistakenly deleted or lost due to a compromised account.
When a post, reel, or Instagram TV video is deleted, it is moved to the "Recently Deleted" folder, where it remains for 30 days before being permanently removed.
However, stories that haven’t been archived will only stay in this folder for 24 hours. During this period, users have the option to restore their deleted content before it disappears permanently.
To enhance security, Instagram requires identity verification through email or phone before allowing users to recover or permanently delete any content.
How to Recover Deleted Posts, Reels, and Stories on Instagram?
If you've accidentally deleted a post, reel, or story on Instagram and want to recover it, follow these simple steps.
Start by opening the Instagram app and tapping on your profile picture in the bottom right corner to access your profile.
Next, navigate to the "Recently Deleted" section by tapping the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.
From there, select Settings and Privacy, scroll down, and tap on Your Activity. In the list of options, you’ll find Recently Deleted—select it to proceed.
Once inside the Recently Deleted section, browse through the posts, reels, and stories that you want to recover.
Tap on the specific item, then select Restore and confirm your choice.
Your deleted content will be immediately restored to its original location, whether it was on your feed, in the reels section, or in stories.
How to Permanently Delete Content from "Recently Deleted"
If you’re sure that you no longer need certain posts, you can permanently delete them before the 30-day period is up.
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Start by navigating to the Recently Deleted section.
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Choose the post you want to remove.
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Tap the three dots in the top right corner and select Delete.
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Confirm the deletion.
Once deleted, the content cannot be recovered, so be absolutely sure before taking this step.
What If You Can’t Find Your Deleted Posts?
If you’re unable to find your deleted content in Instagram’s Recently Deleted section, there are a few other ways to retrieve it.
First, check your device’s gallery or photo album. If you saved the post before uploading it to Instagram, there’s a chance it’s still in your phone’s storage. Next, look in your cloud storage—services like Google Photos, iCloud, or other backup platforms may have automatically saved a copy of your deleted post.
If these options don’t work, try requesting your Instagram data. To do this, go to Settings > Security > Download Your Information and request an archive of your account. Once the data is available, you can check if your deleted content is included in the download.
How to Prevent Accidentally Deleting Instagram Posts?
While Instagram’s Recently Deleted feature provides a way to recover lost content, adopting a few good habits can help you avoid accidental deletions altogether.
Instead of deleting a post you’re unsure about, consider using the Archive feature. Archived posts remain hidden from your profile but can be restored at any time. Additionally, make it a habit to save backups of important photos, videos, and reels to your device or cloud storage before posting.
To further reduce the risk, always double-check before deleting any post to avoid removing content by mistake. Lastly, enabling two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your account, preventing unauthorized access that could lead to content being deleted by hackers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover Instagram posts deleted more than 30 days ago?
No, Instagram permanently removes content after 30 days. If it’s gone from "Recently Deleted," you’ll need to check your device or cloud backups.
Can I recover Instagram messages that were deleted?
Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t have a "Recently Deleted" folder for messages. However, you can request to download your data from Instagram’s settings to see if any messages are recoverable.
What if my deleted post isn’t showing in "Recently Deleted"?
Try updating your Instagram app, checking your device’s storage, or requesting your account data. If you believe your account was hacked, contact Instagram support.
Can I recover a deleted Instagram story?
Yes, but only within 24 hours unless it was archived. If it was saved as a highlight, you can still access it there.
Does deleting an Instagram post remove it from everywhere?
Yes, deleted posts disappear from your profile, followers' feeds, and even Instagram’s servers after 30 days. However, if someone saved or screenshot your post, they may still have a copy.
Takeaway
Losing an Instagram post, story, or reel doesn’t have to be permanent.
Thanks to the "Recently Deleted" feature, you have up to 30 days to restore your content before it’s gone forever.
By following the steps outlined above, you can easily recover deleted posts, protect your account, and prevent future losses.
Also Read: Instagram App Not Working? Try These Troubleshooting Steps
