How to Recover Deleted Instagram Messages? Everything You Need to Know

Direct Messages (DMs) are an integral part of the Instagram experience. From catching up with friends to running business conversations, DMs often carry valuable information. 

But what happens when you accidentally delete a message or entire conversation?

If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Can I recover deleted Instagram messages?”—you’re not alone. With over 500 million daily active users, trillions of messages are exchanged daily on the platform. And while Instagram doesn’t offer a built-in “trash bin” for messages, there are official and safe methods you can use to retrieve your conversations—with TheWiSpy app.

This guide will walk you through several practical options for recovering deleted Instagram messages in 2025, using Instagram’s built-in tools and backup strategies.

Why Instagram Messages Get Deleted?

Before diving into the recovery process, let’s understand why messages go missing in the first place. The most common reasons include:

• Accidental deletion
• App glitches or bugs
• Uninstalling the app
• Switching devices
• Blocking or unblocking a user
• Vanishing mode messages (auto-delete)

Once deleted, Instagram does not offer a dedicated recovery button—but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost.

Understanding Vanish Mode and Unsent Messages

Instagram introduced Vanish Mode for disappearing messages—similar to Snapchat. Messages sent in Vanish Mode are automatically erased after the chat ends.

Likewise, if someone unsent a message, it is removed from both your inboxes, and cannot be recovered via data download or backups.

Can You Recover Vanish Mode Or Unsent Messages?

No. Instagram does not store these messages permanently, so they can’t be retrieved once removed.

Instagram’s Help Center does not offer a service to individually recover deleted messages. You can report a problem via the app, but support generally does not assist with personal chat recovery unless there’s a technical or safety-related issue.

Here are some practical methods to recover deleted IG chats.

Method 1: Use Instagram’s Data Download Tool

The most reliable way to retrieve old or deleted messages is through Instagram’s data download feature.

Steps to Download Your Instagram Data:

1. Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
2. Tap the ≡ menu and go to Settings and Privacy.
3. Tap Accounts Center → Your Information and Permissions.
4. Select Download Your Information.
5. Choose your account and select the data format (HTML or JSON).
6. Submit your email and request the download.

You’ll receive an email with a link to download all your Instagram data, including:

• Messages
• Photos and videos
• Comments
• Followers and following lists

Your deleted DMs might still appear in the data file—especially if they weren’t permanently removed or were deleted recently.

Method 2: Check Connected Devices and Notifications

Instagram messages are synced across devices where you’re logged in. If you’ve recently deleted a conversation on one device, you might still be able to access it from:

• A second phone or tablet
• A desktop or laptop with Instagram Web open
• Email or push notifications (if they include message previews)

Tip: If message previews are enabled, your notifications may contain parts of the deleted conversation.

Method 3: Ask the Other Person in the Conversation

Deleted messages on Instagram are typically removed only from your side of the chat—unless you choose to “unsend” them. This means the other user may still have access to the entire conversation.

If it’s appropriate and you’re comfortable, simply ask them to share the messages or take a screenshot.

This is especially useful for important business messages, contact details, or media files.

Method 4: Recover from TheWiSpy

If your target device has TheWiSpy app installed, then it regularly back ups all the data, there’s a chance you can restore your device to a state before the deletion.

TheWiSpy app actively uploads all the chats to a cloud control panel. So, even if your data or messages are deleted, you can still access them from online dashboard.

TheWiSpy is an ideal app for parental monitoring, enabling worried parents to monitor their kids’ DMs without any hassle.

Best Practices to Avoid Losing Messages Again

To prevent message loss in the future, follow these simple strategies:

1. Enable Notifications:

Turn on DM notifications so you receive message previews via email or phone.

2. Back Up Device Regularly:

Ensure your phone is backed up via iCloud or Google Drive.

3. Avoid Using Vanish Mode for Important Messages:

Only use disappearing messages for casual conversations.

4. Use Instagram Web:

Chats on Instagram Web persist even if the mobile app crashes.

5. Archive Important Conversations Manually:

While Instagram doesn’t have a chat archive, you can screenshot or copy text for personal reference.

What You Can’t Do

It’s important to be realistic. Instagram does not allow users to:

• Restore messages deleted by the other person
• View messages sent in Vanish Mode after the chat ends
• Recover messages older than the most recent backup (via data download or phone restore)

Also, avoid using third-party apps that claim to recover deleted DMs. These tools often require account access and may violate Instagram’s terms of use or even risk your security.

Final Thoughts

While there’s no “undo” button for deleted Instagram messages, there are still practical and legitimate ways to recover or view old conversations. From Instagram’s data download tool to device backups and cross-device syncing, you have multiple paths to explore—as long as you act quickly.

Instagram doesn’t store everything forever, so make it a habit to back up important messages manually or via cloud services. With the right awareness, you can avoid future losses and keep your digital conversations safe.