How to Recover Deleted Messages Using the “Download Your Data” Tool

Recovering old or accidentally deleted messages on Instagram may seem impossible, but the “Download your data” feature offers a practical way to get a copy of all your conversations. This official feature of the platform allows you to export information such as photos, videos, posts and direct messages, enabling you to consult texts that have already been removed from your inbox. Below, we’ll explain everything you need to know to use this tool effectively and find messages you thought you’d lost.
What is the “Download your data” tool?
The “Download your data” option is available in your Instagram account settings. It generates a ZIP file containing a complete set of information associated with your profile. This information includes direct messages, images and videos exchanged in chat, stories, comments and much more. The feature came about in response to privacy legislation, such as the European GDPR, and serves to give users full control of their data. When you request a download, Instagram prepares a package that arrives by email, ready to be downloaded using a secure link.
When you can recover deleted messages
Deleted messages don’t always appear in the data report. Messages that were deleted before the account was created or that have been permanently removed due to a report of a violation of the terms of use may not be included. However, most simple conversations, even if deleted months ago, are usually included in the download. So if you’ve mistakenly deleted an important DM or want to revisit a conversation that has disappeared, it’s worth using this feature. Just remember that the process can take a few hours to complete, depending on the amount of data in your account.
Step by step to request a download of your data
Start by opening Instagram on your smartphone or computer and accessing your profile. Tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and choose “Settings and privacy”. In that section, look for “Security” and select “Download data”. Enter the email address where you want to receive the file. Instagram will ask for your password again to confirm your identity and guarantee the security of the request. After submitting the form, you will receive a confirmation message. From that moment on, the platform starts preparing the data package. It can take up to 48 hours, but usually arrives within a few hours, depending on the traffic on the servers.
How to locate the messages in the downloaded file
When you receive the email, click on the secure link to download the ZIP file and save it to your device. Extract the contents to a folder of your choice. Inside, you’ll find several folders and files in JSON or HTML format. Look for a file called “messages.json” or a folder called “messages”. Open this document with a text editor or a browser if it’s HTML.
In the case of JSON, you can use an editor that automatically formats the content for better readability. There you will find all the conversations organized by interlocutor, with time stamps and the texts exchanged. If it’s HTML, just search for the section of messages you’re interested in and copy the text of the dialog you want. This way, you can see exactly what was sent and received, even if the DMs no longer appear on Instagram.
Tips for interpreting and using the recovered data
When you consult the message file, you’ll see metadata such as dates, times and user IDs. Use your editor’s search functionality (Ctrl + F or Cmd + F) to search for keywords related to the conversation you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a link or a specific code, search makes the process quick and efficient. Once you’ve found the passage you want, you can copy and paste the text into a new conversation, a notes document or simply keep the history preserved on your computer.
Considerations and limitations of the process
Although powerful, the “Download your data” tool is no substitute for a continuous backup system. If you want to regularly save important conversations, consider archiving your message history periodically. At the time of writing, Instagram does not allow automatic scheduling of data downloads, so each request must be made manually. In addition, conversations with large groups or messages with heavy attachments can generate very large files, which require more download time and storage space.
When using external services to download videos or images – such as sssinstagram – be careful to respect privacy and copyright policies. Extracting content in an unauthorized way can violate the terms of use of various platforms. Always prefer official methods to ensure security and compliance with Instagram’s rules.
Recovering deleted messages via the data download feature is a valuable resource for those who need to keep a complete record of their conversations. By following these steps, you’ll be able to retrieve deleted texts and save important information without too much hassle.