Losing photos or stories on Instagram can be frustrating, especially when they hold personal memories or professional value. However, Instagram now offers a built-in recovery option that makes it easier for users to restore deleted content on both Android and iOS devices.
Meta-owned Instagram has introduced a feature called Recently Deleted, allowing users to review and recover deleted photos, videos, reels, IGTV videos, and stories within a specific time frame. With this feature, accidentally deleted posts no longer mean permanent loss—provided action is taken in time.
Whenever you delete any content from Instagram—whether it’s a post, reel, or story—it is not erased immediately. Instead, Instagram temporarily moves the content to the Recently Deleted folder. This folder stores deleted items for up to 30 days, giving users enough time to recover them if needed.
For stories that were deleted before being shared or archived, Instagram allows recovery within 24 hours. Once the time limit expires, the content is permanently removed and cannot be restored.
Instagram also adds an extra layer of security by requiring OTP verification before restoring deleted posts. This ensures that only the account owner can recover the content.
The Recently Deleted section includes:
Photos and videos posted on your feed
Instagram Stories
Reels and IGTV videos
Archived stories that were deleted
Users can either restore the content or permanently delete it before the 30-day period ends.
Follow these steps carefully to restore your deleted Instagram content:
Launch the Instagram app and tap on your profile icon at the bottom right.
Tap on the three-line (hamburger) menu located at the top-right corner of the screen.
From the menu, select Settings.
Inside Settings, tap on the Account option.
Now select Recently Deleted. You will see a list of all posts, stories, and videos deleted in the last 30 days.
Tap on the photo, video, or story you want to recover.
Tap on the three-dot icon at the top of the screen.
Select Recover to restore the content, or permanently delete it if you no longer need it.
Instagram will send an OTP to your registered mobile number or email address.
Enter the OTP and tap Confirm to successfully recover the deleted content.
Content can only be recovered within the allowed time limit
OTP verification is mandatory for security
Permanently deleted items cannot be restored
The feature works the same on Android and iOS
Instagram’s Recently Deleted feature offers peace of mind to users who accidentally remove important content. By acting quickly and following the correct steps, you can restore photos and stories without relying on third-party apps. This built-in recovery option is a valuable addition for creators and everyday users alike.
