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Even easier and more private than our web appUpdated January 2026
The honest truth about recovering deleted DMs, what's actually possible, and how to protect your messages.
Honest Answer
Once deleted, Instagram messages cannot be recovered through the app. Your best option is asking the other person (they still have their copy) or checking if you downloaded your data beforehand.
Request your Instagram data which includes message history—but only messages that existed when you made the request
If you had email notifications enabled, you might have message previews in your inbox
If you deleted messages, the other person still has them unless they also deleted
Instagram's Recently Deleted folder is for posts, Reels, and Stories—NOT messages
Important: This only works for messages that haven't been deleted yet. Use this as a backup method going forward.
No app or website can recover your deleted Instagram messages. Any service claiming to do so is a scam designed to steal your login credentials or money. Instagram doesn't provide deleted message access to anyone—not even third-party apps. Don't fall for it.
Managing your Instagram connections?
While you can't recover messages, you can track who follows and unfollows you. Know who's in your circle.
Check your followersUnfortunately, once you delete Instagram messages, they cannot be recovered through the app. Instagram doesn't have an 'undo delete' feature for DMs. Your only options are: downloading your data (only works if done BEFORE deletion), checking email notifications, or asking the other person.
When you delete a message, it's only removed from YOUR side of the conversation. The other person still has the message unless they also delete it. Instagram may keep data on their servers temporarily for safety/legal reasons, but you cannot access it.
Go to Settings → Your activity → Download your information → Select 'Messages' → Request download. Instagram will email you a link within 48 hours. Note: This only includes messages that exist at the time of request—not previously deleted ones.
When you 'unsend' a message, it's deleted from both sides of the conversation—your chat AND the recipient's chat. However, if they saw it before you unsent it, or had notifications on, they may have seen the content.
No. Any app claiming to recover deleted Instagram messages is a scam. Instagram doesn't give third-party apps access to deleted message data. These apps often steal your login credentials or install malware. Avoid them.
No. Vanish mode messages are designed to disappear permanently when you close the chat. They're not stored anywhere and cannot be recovered by any method. This is intentional for privacy.
Yes! Deleting a conversation only removes it from YOUR inbox. The other person keeps their copy of the entire conversation unless they separately choose to delete it from their side.
Tips: 1) Screenshot important messages, 2) Regularly download your Instagram data as backup, 3) Use the 'Save' feature for important content in DMs, 4) Don't delete conversations you might need later, 5) Keep email notifications on for previews.