How to Recover Deleted Instagram Posts, Stories, Reels, and IGTV Videos

To save people from losing their Instagram data when their account gets hacked, Instagram launched the Recently Deleted feature. This feature also comes in handy when you accidentally delete something on Instagram. Instead of crying over it for hours, you can easily restore the content to your profile with the help of Recently deleted, as shown in the post.

We have covered what happens when you delete content from Instagram and how to see and recover deleted posts. As a bonus tip, you will also get to know how to delete items from Recently deleted permanently.

Let’s see how to recover deleted posts, stories, reels, and IGTV videos on Instagram on Android and iPhone.

What Happens When You Delete Content From Instagram

Earlier, if you pressed the Delete button on any content on Instagram, it was gone forever. There was no way to retrieve the deleted content. Things have changed with The Recently Deleted feature. Now, when you delete something on Instagram – be it from a profile or Archive, it goes to the Recently deleted folder. You can restore or permanently delete content from the folder.

Note: As a precautionary measure, Instagram asks you to verify your account when you try to restore or permanently delete something.

The content you can restore includes:

• Photos and videos posted as Instagram posts
• Stories
• Reels
• IGTV videos

The deleted content can be restored within 30 days of deleting it. Each deleted content will have a different remaining time left within which it can be restored. After 30 days, the content will be permanently removed from the Recently deleted folder, and you will no longer be able to retrieve it.

However, stories have a slightly different rule. The deleted stories will stay in the Recently deleted folder only for 24 hours and not 30 days. But if the story archive feature is enabled and the deleted story is archived, the same rule of 30 days will apply. You can restore or permanently delete the archived story within 30 days.

Tip: Find out what’s the difference between archive and delete in Instagram.

How to See Deleted Instagram Posts, Stories, Reels, and IGTV Videos

To see your deleted posts, you need to go to Instagram’s Recently deleted folder, as shown below. The steps are the same unless otherwise mentioned.

Note: Before you try the steps, make sure to update the Instagram app to the latest version of your Android or iPhone.

Step 1: Open the Instagram app and go to the profile screen.

Step 2: Tap on the three-bar icon at the top and select Settings.

Step 3: Go to Account and tap on Recently deleted.

Here you will see all the deleted photos, videos, reels, stories, and IGTV videos.

How to Recover Deleted Instagram Posts, Stories, Reels, and IGTV Videos

Step 1: Go to the Recently deleted folder as shown above, i.e., go to Settings > Account > Recently Deleted.

Step 2: Tap on the item that you want to recover.

Step 3: Tap on the three-dot icon at the top and select Restore from the menu.

Step 4: A confirmation menu will appear. Tap on Restore.

Step 5: You will be taken to another confirmation screen where you will have to verify that you are the rightful owner of the Instagram account. A confirmation code will be sent to your email ID or mobile number, depending on your choice. Tap on Next to confirm the identity and restore the deleted item.

What Happens When You Restore a Deleted Item

Tip: Check out 9 Instagram privacy settings that you should know.

Bonus: How to Permanently Delete Instagram Posts, Stories, Reels, and IGTV Videos

Step 1: Go to Instagram Settings > Account > Recently Deleted.

Step 2: Tap on the content that you want to delete permanently.

Step 3: Hit the three-dot icon at the top and select Delete from the menu.

Step 4: A confirmation pop-up will appear. Tap on Delete. You will then be asked to verify your account details using an email ID or mobile number. After verifying the details, you will be able to permanently delete the content.

Check New Instagram Features

Instagram is constantly adding new, interesting features to the app. While Recently deleted is just one of them, you have the Vanish mode, chat themes, the ability to have 4 people in a live chat, among others. Which is your favorite feature? Let us know in the comments below.