Photo Recovery

Restore Deleted or Lost Instagram Photos and Videos

Written By Sumona Chatterjee
Approved By Tanushree Chatterjee
Updated on 6 Jun, 2024
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Summary: Have you deleted Instagram photos or videos? Are your Instagram photos or reel videos disappearing? This blog is a step-by-step guide to recover your lost or deleted Instagram photos and videos on Android, iPhone, and computer.

You love Instagram. The magical medium not only connects you with your loved ones but also to your favorite celebrities, brands, and interesting people around the world. Further, it is fun to view and share photos with augmented reality, amazing filters, and stickers etc., that grab ‘likes’ and attention. However, with so much to offer, sometimes managing so many Instagram photos and videos also becomes a strenuous task.

accidently delete Instagram posts — _{eMarketer reported, with over 1.07 billion active users in 2021, Instagram became one of the most used photo/ video sharing app. Another study by Statista Research, says Instagram was the most popular social media site used by U.S. teens and young adults in 2020 Pandemic year, after YouTube.}

You may accidentally delete Instagram posts or suddenly notice Instagram photos are disappearing. Your Instagram reel drafts are deleted. Videos you created for uploading in the app can also go missing from your device due to virus attacks, formatting, or other reasons.

So is it possible to restore lost or deleted Instagram photos, videos, stories, IGTV videos, or reels? Thankfully yes.

Watch this video to know how to see deleted Instagram posts

Here in this blog you will know the different ways to restore lost or deleted Instagram photos and videos on Android, iPhone, iPad, and computer.

How to Recover Photos & Videos from Instagram

One way to recover Instagram photos and videos is from the app’s ‘Recently Deleted’ or ‘Archive’ folder. Another location where you should look for the Instagram files is in the photo albums of your device such as Gallery, Download folder, File Manager, Camera Roll, or others. You may also search for missing photos and videos in backup folder such as iCloud or Google Photos.

If you don’t find the deleted Instagram photos and videos at any location on your device or cloud backup, use a photo and video recovery software to retrieve the lost Instagram files from the storage device.

Way 1: Recover from ‘Recently Deleted’ folder on Instagram

‘Recently Deleted’ feature of Instagram helps to restore deleted content in the app. Photos, videos, IGTV videos, reels, and stories deleted from your account are first moved to the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder. The files stay in this folder for 30 days, except the stories, which remain only for 24 hours.

If you wish to undo the deletion and restore Instagram photos and videos during this 30 days period, do it by following the below steps. Before that, just make sure you are using the latest version of Instagram.

Open Instagram and click to follow Settings > Account > Recently Deleted.
Tap on the required photos and videos and click on the 3 dots at the top-right corner.

Click on Restore option. Confirm the action in the pop-up box to restore the deleted photos and videos.

If you choose Delete option, it will permanently delete the files from your Instagram account.

Way 2: Recover photos from Instagram Archive

Instagram launched the ‘Archive Posts’ feature in 2017 which proved to be of great help as it allowed the users to hide any photos and stories from being seen by anyone. You can also recover ‘deleted’ photos from the archive folder. However, if you delete a photo from the archive, there’s no guarantee that you can recover it again.

Follow the below steps to unhide or recover the deleted Instagram photos and videos from Archive:

Open Instagram app and click on your profile picture the bottom.
Click on the Menu icon at the top-right corner and select Archive.
As the Archive folder opens, click on the drop down and select from Stories archive, Posts archive, or Live archive options, from where you lost photos or videos.

Now click on the required image and click on the 3 dots. Choose Show on Profile. You will get the lost videos and photos back to your feed.

Way 3: Recover Instagram photos from Gallery/Albums on Android or iPhone

Whenever you upload any photo or video on Instagram, it gets automatically saved in Gallery Album of your Android under ‘Instagram’ named folder. On iPhone the uploaded file is saved in Albums in the Photos app.

If you have accidently deleted or can’t find photos or videos on Instagram, look for them in the ‘Instagram’ folder in Android Gallery or iPhone’s Album.

Way 4: Restore Instagram files on Android from File Manager

If Instagram photos have disappeared, check and restore them from the File Manager on your Android device.

Follow the below steps to recover Instagram files from File Manger on Android:

Go to My Files > Pictures.

Select the Instagram folder. If you’re able to find the lost photos, restore select and restore them

Way 5: Recover from ‘Recently Deleted’ on iPhone or iPad

You can recover deleted Instagram photos on iPhone or iPad from the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder. The Photos app on the iOS device has the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder that keeps the deleted images and videos for 30 days. You may find here the photos and videos that you posted on Instagram but now deleted from the account.

Follow the below steps to restore Instagram photos from ‘Recently Deleted’ on iPhone/ iPad:

On your iOS device, launch the Photos app.
Tap on Albums > Recently Deleted.

Tap on the required photos or videos and select Recover.

Way 6: Restore Instagram Photos and Videos from Backup

This is where the Backup files serve the purpose. When you can’t find your Instagram files, then restore them from the backup present in cloud or storage drive. Check in iCloud, DropBox, Time Machine, or any other backup drive you use. If you have the required photos and videos, simply restore them, else follow the other method.

Way 7: Utilize a Software for Instagram photo recovery

The best bet to restore lost, deleted, or disappearing Instagram photos is to use an Instagram photo recovery software — Stellar Photo Recovery. It is a media files recovery tool, which can recover deleted photos from a PC, Mac, pen drive, SD card, or other media. By using the software you can retrieve bomb Instagram images, archive photos, or other posts, provided you have anytime saved them on your storage drive. With the robust scanning algorithm and straightforward recovery process, the software ensures deleted photos and videos of any format are back on your computer.

Further, Stellar Photo Recovery has a Free Edition with which you can restore up to 10 Instagram photos or videos.

To know the quick steps to recover lost/ deleted Instagram photos and videos using Stellar Photo Recovery click here.

Tip: How to save Instagram Photos to Phone to avoid Photo Loss

Go to your profile and tap.
Tap Settings > Account > Original Photos (iOS) or Original Posts (Android).
Tap next to Save Original Photos (iOS) or Save Original Posts (Android) to turn it on.

When you turn on Save Original Photos or Save Original Posts, each photo with the post also is saved to your phone’s library.

Learn more Tips to Keep Your Videos and Photos Safe on Social Media

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

How do I recover permanently deleted pictures from Instagram?

If the photos are permanently deleted from your Instagram handle, search for them in your device storage and backup locations by using the methods given in this post. You can also use Stellar Photo Recovery software to recover the photos from computer, pen drive, memory card etc. Once you recover the pictures, you have the option to upload them again on Instagram.

Can I recover deleted Instagram posts?

Yes, you can restore the deleted Instagram posts from the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder in your Instagram account. For steps, read method 1 in the blog.

How to get back deleted Instagram Story?

Restore the deleted Instagram Story from the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder of your Instagram account

How can I recover a permanently deleted Instagram account?

If the Instagram account is deleted or deactivated due to some reason, you cannot recover it. However, there’s an option to contact Instagram support for help to reactivate the account.

How to repair Instagram reel?

To repair Instagram reel videos, update to the latest version of the app, and clear all the cache. Learn more methods to repair Instagram reel.

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About The Author

Sumona Chatterjee

Sumona is a tech blogger, avid photographer, & technogeek with vast experience in writing about media file recovery tips and tutorials. She has over 10 years of experience in media file recovery/media file repair technology. She is passionate about Photography, Creative Designing, Music, and Exploring lesser-known destinations.

57 comments

Kate says:

September 7, 2018 at 1:06 am

Instagram deleted all of my pictures!! Thankfully I had all of my data downloaded and sent to me through email. How do I use the data files I received to get my pictures back? They are all ZIP files

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  September 7, 2018 at 4:43 am
  
  Hi Kate, It is difficult to extract photos and videos from downloaded zip files as you have to search through folders to view your files. But you can visit Instagram help option to assist you.
  
  Reply
Lear Miller says:

June 18, 2018 at 10:32 am

Thanks for sharing such an informative post with useful Instagram recovery methods….!!

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  June 20, 2018 at 2:42 am
  
  Hi, Miller, Thanks for reading our blog!
  
  Reply
alex says:

May 10, 2018 at 2:53 pm

Hi Sumona,

My most recent post, which was a carousel post on instagram, is still there, but only one image remains. All the other 4 are now not viewable.

This is since I updated to new iphone software this week.

Is there any way to restore the images that have been deleted / wiped from that post back to the post?

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  May 16, 2018 at 10:54 am
  
  Hello Alex,
  
  Thanks for contacting Stellar Data Recovery
  
  Please follow the above methods. After you launch the Photos app, tap on Albums < Recently Deleted and search the lost photos. To restore lost Instagram photo, simply tap it and select Recover.
  
  Reply
STEPHEN ABAS says:

May 10, 2018 at 10:20 am

I tried to recover my iPhone 6 photos that you discussed on the blog, but unsuccessful. I’m happy to buy this software, because of this software I recover my photos from my iPhone 6.Thanks!

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  May 14, 2018 at 3:15 am
  
  Hello Stephen,
  
  Thanks for using Stellar software.
  
  Reply
Bailey says:

April 10, 2018 at 3:44 pm

I need help restoring my photos back onto my Instagram that have been deleted. I’ve been reading the comments and I’ve tried the recover the photos but the thing is I don’t have the pics in the Instagram album. Should I download the stellar Phoenix photo recovery? Will it for sure bring my pictures back on to my Instagram account?

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  April 17, 2018 at 3:18 am
  
  Hello Bailey,
  
  Thanks for contacting Stellar Data Recovery
  
  We want to inform you that if the Instagram images are available on your memory card/SD Card than you can easily recover them using Stellar photo recovery software. But if they are originally located on phone internal storage area, then you need to take help of third party phone recovery software.
  
  Reply
Giovanni Lanfranco says:

February 16, 2018 at 10:45 am

Hey, thank you very much for these very helpful methods about all Photo album restore from Instagram.

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  February 19, 2018 at 5:32 am
  
  Hello Giovanni,
  
  Many Thanks for your feedback.
  Please follow us on various social media channels for latest updates and offers.
  
  Reply
Hamak Life says:

February 15, 2018 at 10:32 am

Hi,

Any idea how to restore the Instagram drafts from the stolen phone? (S7 Galaxy) and how to protect them for a future? Is there any app which keeps the drafts not only on the phone?
Many thanks in advance 🙂
Domi

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  February 15, 2018 at 10:38 am
  
  Hello Hamak,
  
  Thanks for contacting Stellar Data Recovery
  
  You may try any third-party android recovery software available on the internet.
  
  Reply
Brooke says:

December 28, 2017 at 9:09 pm

Please explain to me about how I can get photos back onto my Instagram that have been deleted. They were of my significant other and I want the comments and pictures back on my insta

Reply
1. Sumona Chatterjee says:
  
  December 29, 2017 at 5:09 am
  
  Hello Brooke,
  
  Sorry to hear about your deleted Instagram photos. To recover photos from SD Card please follow below-mentioned steps.
  
  1) Restore from Backup files.
  
  2) Look at the Photo Album
  
  Scenario i) – If you are using Android Phone
  
  Go to My Files < Pictures and select the Instagram folder. If you’re able to find the lost photos, restore it. Scenario ii) - For iPhone & iPad Users From the Home screen, launch the Photos app, tap on Albums < Recently Deleted and search the lost photos. To restore lost Instagram photo, simply tap it and select Recover. 3) Use a third party Stellar photo recovery software to recover all your deleted/lost images.
  
  Reply
  1. Felicia Cortese says:
    
    November 23, 2018 at 12:59 am
    
    Hi i have the folder with all instagram pictures that i posted in my instagram folder how do i recover the post & get it back on my instagram?
    thank you!
  2. Sumona Chatterjee says:
    
    November 30, 2018 at 10:14 am
    
    Hi Felicia,
    
    Unfortunately, the post once deleted on from Instagram cannot be recovered as a post with same date and time stamp. Alternatively, the photo that you deleted can still be present in the “Instagram” backup folder on your phone. If not, try to use a trustable Photo recovery software like Stellar to recover the post(i.e recover from the memory) and then you can repost the picture. I’m sure your followers won’t mind. Just tell them the pain you have to go through to recover this picture. How does that sound?
    
    Hope we helped!
Shailendra Kumar says:

November 20, 2017 at 3:53 am

Hey Jay-W,
I hope you try our software.
Please share your valuable feedback with us!

Reply
Jay-W says:

November 13, 2017 at 10:49 am

Yes, Randomly deleted photos and videos from my Instagram. It’s happened to me a few months later. I lost 400 photos on my Sandisk CF card. I had Instagram ask me my phone number to authenticate my account, and once I added it , my account started re-tagging of all old photographs with any person and business that I had a tag in the past. So all photographs were lost in March 2016. I contact to support, but they never answer. I agree with your methods. I definitely try this.!

Reply