How to Recover Deleted Instagram Posts, Stories, Reels, and IGTV Videos

To prevent people from losing their Instagram data when their account is hacked, Instagram launched the recently removed feature. This feature is also useful when you accidentally delete something on Instagram. Instead of crying over it for hours, you can easily restore your profile content using Recently Deleted as shown in the article.

We explained what happens when you delete content from Instagram and how to view and recover deleted posts. As a bonus, you will also learn how to permanently delete items from Recently Deleted.

Let’s see how to recover deleted IGTV Instagram posts, stories, reels and videos on Android and iPhone.

What happens when you delete content from Instagram

Previously, if you hit the delete button on any content on Instagram, it was gone forever. There was no way to get the deleted content back. Things have changed with the recently removed feature. Now when you delete something on Instagram – whether from a profile or from an archive, it goes to the Recently Deleted folder. You can restore or permanently delete the contents of the folder.

To note: As a precaution, Instagram asks you to verify your account when you try to restore or permanently delete something.

The content you can restore includes:

• Photos and videos published as Instagram posts
• Stories
• Coils
• IGTV Videos

Deleted content can be restored within 30 days of deletion. Each deleted content will have a different remaining time in which it can be restored. After 30 days, the content will be permanently deleted from the recently deleted folder and you will not be able to recover it.

However, the stories have a slightly different rule. Deleted stories will remain in the Recently Deleted folder only for 24 hours, not 30 days. But if the story archiving feature is enabled and the deleted story is archived, the same 30 day rule will apply. You can restore or permanently delete the archived history within 30 days.

Advice: Find out what is the difference between archiving and deleting on Instagram.

How to View Deleted Instagram Posts, Stories, Reels & Videos

To see your deleted posts, you need to go to Instagram’s Recently Deleted folder as shown below. The steps are the same unless otherwise noted.

To note: Before trying the steps, make sure to update the Instagram app to the latest version for your Android or iPhone.

Step 1: Open the Instagram app and go to the profile screen.

2nd step: Tap the three bar icon at the top and select Settings.

Step 3: Go to Account and tap Recently Deleted.

Here you will see all deleted IGTV photos, videos, reels, stories and videos.

How to Recover Deleted Instagram Posts, Stories, Reels & IGTV Videos

Step 1: Navigate to the recently deleted folder as shown above i.e. go to Settings> Account> Recently Deleted.

2nd step: Tap the item you want to recover.

Step 3: Tap the three-dot icon at the top and select Restore from the menu.

Step 4: A confirmation menu appears. Tap Restore.

Step 5: You will be taken to another confirmation screen where you will need to verify that you are the rightful owner of the Instagram account. A confirmation code will be sent to your email address or mobile phone number, depending on your choice. Tap Next to confirm the identity and restore the deleted item.

What happens when you restore a deleted item

When you restore a deleted item, it will go in the profile grid or in the Archived section, depending on where it was deleted from. If the deleted item was from the profile, people would interact with it like a normal post. However, no one will be notified when you delete or recover the message. The message deleted after the restore will not appear in the feed. He will silently resume his place in the profile grid.

Advice: Check out 9 Instagram privacy settings you should know.

Bonus: How to Permanently Delete IGTV Instagram Posts, Stories, Reels & Videos

Step 1: Go to Instagram Settings> Account> Recently Deleted.

2nd step: Tap the content you want to permanently delete.

Step 3: Tap the three-dot icon at the top and select Delete from the menu.

Step 4: A confirmation pop-up will appear. Tap Delete. You will then be asked to verify your account details using an email id or cell phone number. After checking the details, you will be able to permanently delete the content.

Check out new Instagram features

Instagram is constantly adding new cool features to the app. While Recently Deleted is just one of them, you have Vanish Mode, Chat Themes, the ability to have 4 people in a live chat, among others. What’s your favorite feature? Let us know in the comments below.