rearrange Deleted Instagram Messages Using Instagram Data: real Talk, real Fixes
Ever deleted an Instagram proclamation and immediately screamed internally? Yeah. Same. Whether its an dated talk later an ex you swore you didnt care more or less or something next oh no, that declaration had my bank details (oops), losing DMs upon Instagram can atmosphere next you’ve just loose a little fragment of your online soul.
Socan you modernize deleted Instagram messages using Instagram Data? Spoiler: kinda, sorta but lets unpack it. There’s a lot of noise online, but I’m gonna walk you through it considering we’re two connections upon FaceTime at 2am panicking more or less a talk we shouldn’t have deleted.

Wait, Instagram Data? Whats That?
Okay, rewind. Instagram Data is that backup-ish concern you never knew you needed until it was too late. Think of it behind Instagram’s description of a dusty attic box filled next every your stuffmessages, photos, profile info. Its not pretty, its not fast, but it exists.
And yes, you can use it to get encourage some of those accidentally deleted messages.
Butheads upits not always perfect.

Step-by-Step: Downloading Your Instagram Data
Alright. Let’s dive into this. Here’s how to actually try this method. assume comments or screenshot. Youll dependence it.

Open Instagram. (No duh.)

Go to your profile > Settings.

Tap Your activity > Download your information.

Request your data by entering your email.

Wait. No seriously, WAIT. Instagram will send you a huge file. Sometimes it takes minutes, sometimes a day.

The file comes as a .zip, usually similar to a bunch of folders: messages, comments, likes, yadda yadda.
Inside the messages folder, youll locate a messages.json file. right to use it as soon as a code editor, text editor, or a third-party viewer afterward JSON Genie (Android) or QuickLook JSON (iOS/Mac).
That file is where the magic (hopefully) lives.

But Does It Actually Work?
Here’s the honest truth? Sometimes. Instagram lonesome stores messages occurring until the last sync. If you deleted a chat two seconds ago and next demand your data? Yeah, its gone.
BUT if that convo existed for a even though in the past you deleted it, there’s a good unplanned it’s archived in the JSON file.
I did this myself. I purposeless a convo similar to a friend I was ghosting (dont judge), and I wanted to go incite and gate it. Kinda regretted it. Requested my data. Opened that ugly JSON file. And boom there it was.
But here’s the twist: it didnt have everything. Some parts were scrambled. Some were just missing. fittingly yes, Instagram Data works, but its not CSI: DM Recovery level perfect.

A Slightly undependable Trick: Dual Device Login
Okay so this ones gonna strong sneaky. But its real.
Lets tell you had DMs like someone. You deleted them. BUT if that person nevertheless has the messages upon their endand you behind logged in from option device (like their phone, maybe?)theres a tiny window where those messages may nevertheless load.
This method? It worked for a pal of mine. Her ex logged into her IG on his tablet. She deleted their DMs on her phone but forgot the additional device was yet active. Guess what? past she checked laterboom, the convo was nevertheless there. I mean, strange flex, but okay.
Important: this trick only works if you’re already logged in somewhere. Don’t go borrowing devices or hacking stuff. Just dont.

What virtually Using Third-Party Apps?
Mmm. Tread carefully.
A lot of apps allegation to recover deleted Instagram messages. Most are just after your login. Some are straight-up scams. Think: “RecoverMyDMsNow 2025” or IG talk Uneraser Prototal nonsense.
Instagram doesnt present developers entry to deleted content via its API. suitably unless youre Mark Zuckerberg, youre not pulling support hard-deleted data. Period.
If you must attempt something, look for tools that just put up to edit the data from your JSON file. Dont trust anything that asks you to log into your Instagram.

Real Talk: Prevention higher than Panic
Lets be honest. Youre reading this too late. The message is gone. But maybe most likely this is the wake-up call you needed?
Heres what I do now:

Use Archive, not delete. Just in case.

Screenshot important DMs. Cringe? Maybe. But it saves you from crying later.

Back in the works your Instagram Data every couple of months. Its annoying. complete it anyway.

New Hack? Kinda Weird, But It Worked Once
Okay, listen. This one’s unchangeable urban legend, but I exploit it happened.
A Reddit addict (so you know, grain of salt) claimed that gone they switched their account to Professional > Creator > Personal help and forth three become old and later re-installed Instagram they maxim an older DM thread reappear.
No idea if this was a glitch or what, but I tried it.
Nothing.
My cousin tried itSOMEHOW got a three-month-old convo back. No rhyme or reason. But hey, desperate times, right?

Why Doesnt Instagram Just amass a trash Folder?
No, seriously. WHY.
Every app has it. Gmail? Trash. Facebook? Archive. WhatsApp? Hidden backups. But Instagram? Nah. You delete it, its toast. No undo. No oops button.
Some tell its very nearly privacy or minimal storage. I tell its just annoying. There should be a 7-day grace get older or something. Lets manifest it.

But What If I Got Hacked?
Oh boy.
If you floating messages because your account got hacked, battle fast:

Report the event to Instagram Support.

Change your password (duh).

Enable two-factor auth.

Request your Instagram Data ASAP hackers sometimes dont delete everything immediately.

I helped someone recover a hacked account where some pass messages were still there in the JSON dump. Its a long shot, but it works sometimes.

Final Word (Kinda?)
Okay, deep breath.
Restoring deleted Instagram messages using Instagram Data isnt magic. But its the closest situation we have to a become old machine on the app. Just dont expect miracles.
Heres the golden takeaway: Instagram keeps more data than you thinkbut less than you hope. as a result yes, grab that data file. Dig through it. maybe sob a tiny beyond those old-fashioned convos. most likely laugh. But know that if its gone, it might essentially be gone.
Or maybe not. Because honestly? behind Instagram, nothing’s ever 100% clear.

Ugh, if I had a dollar for every become old I had to fish through a JSON file because I deleted something dumb I’d probably have gone $8.
You live, you learn, you assist taking place your DMs.
Welcome to the internet, babe.