Lost a Post? Here Is How to Find Deleted Posts on Instagram
Instagram is a modern version of a classic photo album with advanced opportunities that are not limited to static images only. Instead, most people from all over the world utilize this platform as a tool to share their precious moments with the audience, grow their businesses, or simply store audio and video content in a single digital space.
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Instagram is a modern version of a classic photo album with advanced opportunities that are not limited to static images only. Instead, most people from all over the world utilize this platform as a tool to share their precious moments with the audience, grow their businesses, or simply store audio and video content in a single digital space.
Nevertheless, posts may disappear either accidentally or at one’s own will. But is it possible to recover them all? How to see deleted Instagram posts from years ago? Learn more about how this feature works on Instagram and explore a new tool that may help you track by number anytime.
Can You See Deleted Instagram Posts?
A simple answer is yes. Nothing can be erased without any traces left. In simple terms, once a post is deleted, it is hidden from the public eye and, thus, the profile. However, Instagram does not erase deleted content for good but permanently stores it for further action and then leaves traces for one to retrieve photos/videos/audio when it is the right time to do so.
So, how to recover deleted posts on Instagram? Here are the most obvious ways granted by the app itself.
How to Find Deleted Instagram Posts: 5 Methods to Be Aware Of
In order to view deleted Instagram posts, it is vital to have access to the account from which the content was originally posted. This means that if you do not know how to find a dead phone with only one active session on it, for example, you should find any other reliable device to log in as soon as possible. Otherwise, attempting to retrieve deleted content can be complicated and even invasive.
Check Instagram’s "Recently Deleted" Folder
The fastest way to access deleted posts is to go to a “Recently Deleted” folder where the system stores erased content (including posts, reels, lives, IGTV, etc.), which remains there for 30 days. After that, one should opt for more drastic measures rather than surfing the profile’s settings.
To access the "Recently Deleted" folder:
Go to your profile (the right icon on the navigation bar) and tap the slide drawer icon (☰).
Select “Your activity” in the “How you use Instagram” section.
Tap “Recently Deleted” in the “Removed and achieved content” section to view and restore any content that is still within the recovery period of 30 days.
Check Instagram Archive
There is another useful feature that allows users to archive posts instead of permanently deleting them, making it possible to restore them whenever you like. The Archive keeps Posts, Stories (which are automatically sent into this folder after 24 hours by default), and Lives. However, it is more of a preventive measure that cannot be taken retrospectively.
To access the “Archive”:
Go to your profile (the right icon on the navigation bar) and tap the slide drawer icon (☰).
Tap “Archive” in the “How you use Instagram” section to view and restore archived posts.
Choose between Posts, Stories, or Lives with the use of the top drop-down menu in the “Archive” section.
Look at Shared Posts on Other Platforms
Instagram profiles can be successfully connected with other profiles or platforms right in the app. Just open the respective platform where you might have shared your Instagram post before and search the timeline for the dedicated content.
Besides, post sharing can be done manually via Instagram, too. To start sharing across profiles/platforms:
Go to your profile (the right icon on the navigation bar) and tap the slide drawer icon (☰).
Tap “Account Center” in the “Your Account” section.
Select “Sharing across profiles” in the “Connected experience” section.
Add Meta accounts to enable automatic post sharing.
Check Your Phone’s Gallery or Backup Services
In general, unless this feature is intentionally turned off, modern devices automatically save copies of posted content. So, if you have accidentally deleted a post, there is still a chance to find it in your gallery and/or cloud services.
To check:
Open the Gallery or Photos app on your smartphone to look for the dedicated album (Instagram) or browse through the unsorted library for the media files you need.
If your phone is connected to cloud services like Google Photos, iCloud, or Dropbox, check there as well. Back-up is generally turned on by default.
Note: Until the end of 2024, Google Cache was also a potential solution. Briefly speaking, Google’s cache stored older versions of web pages, Instagram included. However, this feature has now been completely phased out, which is why this method is no longer available.
Use Third-Party Recovery Apps
Those who wonder how to recover deleted Instagram posts may also think of external applications that should work miracles and serve as versatile deleted Instagram post viewers. As such, such apps typically scan the device you use for cached or residual data associated with your Instagram account. This is not the most risk-free tool but, sometimes, it is the only way to retrieve information that was lost.
Apps to try (with caution only!):
DiskDigger
Dr.Fone Data Recovery
EaseUS MobiSaver
By the way, some apps like parental control platforms (e.g., Eyezy) may also give access to social media content. For example, the main features of the above-mentioned tool include an Instagram tracker. But is Eyezy legit and fair to use, though? It is up to you to decide.
There Is Something More to Investigate: Number Tracker
Loking for deleted posts may feel like the job of a detective. Should you wish to take your tracking experience to the next level, try Number Tracker, an innovative app used to manage and track sensitive data you and your loved ones may possess.
Indeed, Number Tracker is a valuable tool for parents who need to keep an eye on their children while they are away; caregivers who should look after the incapacitated, elderly, and kids; and even for business professionals who manage logistics around the clock. Among the most notable features of the app are:
Circles Creation Invite your family members, friends, or colleagues to join the app via the link and create a safe space for you to mutually share location data. | Phone Number Lookup Track the location of any phone with its number only. | AI Assistance
| Set Up Alerts
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Instagram was designed with a deep understanding of user needs and possible behaviors. This is why posts, reels, and stories are often kept safe even if you think they have been deleted once and for all. To protect yourself from impulsive decisions, store your content in a digital place away from the public for it to remain secure when hidden from the rest.
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Real-time GPS tracker