Accidentally deleted an important Instagram message on your iPhone? Don’t worry! Many iPhone users wonder how to find deleted Instagram messages on iPhone, retrieve lost chats, or restore deleted direct messages. While Instagram doesn’t have a “Recently Deleted” folder for DMs, like photos or stories, there are still ways to recover deleted Instagram messages, undelete them, and even view archived conversations.
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn the best Instagram message recovery tools, how to download Instagram data messages, and methods to restore your chat history quickly and safely.
🔍 Instagram Message Recovery Methods at a Glance
Before diving into the step-by-step guides, here’s a quick side-by-side look at all the ways you can recover deleted Instagram messages—so you can instantly pick the method that fits your situation.
Method | Best For | Pros | Cons | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Data Download | Checking recent deletions | Official & free | May miss older messages | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
2. Linked Accounts | Message still on other device | Instant, no tools | Won’t work if unsent | ⭐⭐⭐ |
3. Gbyte Recovery | No backup, deep scan | High success rate, free scan | Only for iOS devices | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
4. iCloud / Google Drive | Regular device backups | Full chat restore | Erases current data | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
5. IG Support | Legal/urgent cases | Official help | Rarely for normal chats | ⭐⭐ |
Method 1: Find Deleted Instagram Messages via Data Download
One of the first and most official ways to try finding deleted messages is by downloading your Instagram data directly from Meta. But it requires patience and won’t always include every deleted chat.
Step-by-Step to Retrieve Deleted Instagram DMs:
Step 1. Go to Instagram Settings: Open Instagram > Tap on your profile > Tap the hamburger icon (☰) in the top right corner > Select Your activity > Scroll down and tap Download your information.
Step 2. Request Your Data: You’ll be redirected to Meta’s request form. Choose your Instagram account, enter your email, and request the data in JSON format for easier readability.
Step 3. Wait for the Email: Instagram will email you a downloadable file. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours depending on the account size.
Step 4. Extract and Search the Data: Once you receive the zip file, extract it and look for a folder named messages. Inside, you’ll find files like inbox.json that may contain message history—including some that were previously deleted.
Limitations:
Messages permanently deleted long ago might not appear.
This method won’t show messages deleted before the last backup.
Method 2: Find Deleted Messages by Checking Linked Accounts
If you’ve messaged someone whose account is connected across devices—such as Instagram, Facebook Messenger, or Meta’s centralized messaging—your deleted messages might still exist on their side. To check, try asking the other person to review their chat history. If the message was only deleted on your end, they might still have a copy. However, if the message was unsent, it’s likely gone for both parties. While this method is straightforward, it can be surprisingly effective for recovering recently or partially deleted messages.
Method 3: Use data Recovery Tool to Restore Lost Instagram Chats
If you're using an iPhone and want a powerful, user-friendly tool to help retrieve deleted Instagram messages, Gbyte Recovery can be a game-changer. Whether you accidentally delete important chats, lose messages after an update, or need to recover media from old conversations, this data recovery tool offers a reliable solution with deep scanning capabilities.
How Gbyte Recovery Works:
Free scans local storage, app cache, and residual files to recover deleted Instagram chats—even if they were removed recently.
Recovers WhatsApp messages, SMS texts, photos, videos, and call logs, making it a versatile tool for all your data restoration needs.
Simple, intuitive interface that guides you through the recovery process without requiring technical expertise.
Scans local storage, app cache, and residual files to recover deleted Instagram chats.
Steps to Use Gbyte Recovery:
Step 1. Download and Install Gbyte Recovery on your PC.
Step 2. Log in to your Apple account and select the 'Instagram' data types.
Step 3. Run a deep scan to find any deleted message fragments or backups.
Step 4. Preview and restore deleted messages to your device or computer without overwriting your existing Instagram data.
👍 This method is especially useful when you've never backed up your data manually but need access to messages deleted from your app.
Why Gbyte Recovery Works Better Than Other Methods
Most recovery apps can only scan what’s currently visible on your iPhone. Once a file is gone, they usually miss it. Gbyte takes a smarter approach: it rebuilds deleted content by analyzing your iPhone’s system change history.
It’s like giving your device a time-lapse camera—Gbyte can look back at what used to be there and bring it back.
Unlike risky jailbreaks or hacks, Gbyte is completely safe. It works by creating read-only system snapshots, so your existing data remains untouched.
Example: How Gbyte’s Snapshot Technology Restores Deleted Messages
Snapshot A (10:00 AM): Chat message “Happy Birthday!” exists
Snapshot B (10:05 AM): The message is deleted
Gbyte: Detects the deletion → Restores the message seamlessly
Method 4: Find Lost Messages in iCloud or Google Drive Backups
If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud or Android to Google Drive, there's a chance you can restore deleted Instagram messages—indirectly.
For iPhone Users:
Check your latest iCloud backup date.
If it’s from a time when the messages still existed, you can factory reset your iPhone and restore the backup.
Note: This erases current data, so proceed with caution.
For Android Users:
Go to Settings > Google > Backup.
Check if the Instagram app data was backed up.
If yes, factory reset your device and restore the previous backup.
Although time-consuming and risky (due to data loss), this method has helped users retrieve deleted data, especially if the message was tied to an app cache or system storage.
Method 5: Request Deleted Messages via Instagram Support
If the message is business-critical or involves harassment or abuse, you may try contacting Instagram Support directly.
Go to Instagram Help Center > Report a Problem.
While it's unlikely Instagram will retrieve messages for everyday deletion, they might respond to legal or serious inquiries regarding deleted content.
How to Never Lose Instagram Messages Again – 5 Prevention Tips
FAQs About Deleted Instagram Messages
Can I see deleted Instagram messages from another device?
If the messages were only deleted from one device, you may still access them on another where the account was logged in—but only if the app data hasn’t synced yet.
Do messages delete from both ends when unsent?
Yes. If someone unsends a message, it disappears from both the sender’s and receiver’s chat history.
Are Instagram DMs stored on Meta servers?
Yes, temporarily. However, once deleted (or unsent), they are typically purged and not accessible through the app.
Final Thoughts
Losing Instagram messages can be frustrating, especially when they hold important information or sentimental value. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to try to find deleted Instagram messages, from using Instagram’s official data download tool to powerful third-party solutions like Gbyte Recovery.
If you’re dealing with an urgent recovery situation, we recommend starting with the data download method and then using Gbyte Recovery for a deeper scan. It’s reliable, secure, and works across iPhone devices.
