Accidentally deleting an Instagram photo can be frustrating, especially if it holds sentimental or professional value. Fortunately, there are ways to recover deleted pictures from Instagram. Whether you mistakenly removed a post or lost it due to an error, here are three simple methods to restore your deleted Instagram photos.
1. Check Instagram’s “Recently Deleted” Folder
Instagram has a “Recently Deleted” feature that temporarily stores deleted photos, videos, and stories for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. If your photo was deleted within this time frame, you can recover it easily.
How to Restore Photos from “Recently Deleted”
- Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
- Tap the three-line menu (☰) in the top-right corner.
- Select “Your Activity” > “Recently Deleted”.
- Find the deleted photo and tap on it.
- Click “Restore” to recover the image.
If the 30-day period has passed, Instagram will permanently delete the photo, and you’ll need to try the next methods.
2. Check Your Phone’s Gallery or Cloud Backup
If you have enabled automatic backups on your device, you might still find your deleted Instagram photos in your phone’s gallery or cloud storage.
For Android Users:
- Open the Google Photos app.
- Go to the “Trash” or “Bin” section.
- Look for the deleted Instagram photo and restore it if available.
For iPhone Users:
- Open the Photos app.
- Go to “Albums” > “Recently Deleted”.
- Select the image and tap “Recover”.
Cloud Backups (Google Drive, iCloud, or OneDrive)
If you sync your photos with a cloud service, check there as well. Many cloud storage services keep deleted files for 30 to 60 days before removing them permanently.
3. Use a Third-Party Recovery Tool
If your deleted Instagram photos are not available in the Recently Deleted folder or cloud backups, you can try using a data recovery tool. These tools scan your device for lost files and may help you retrieve deleted images.
Popular Recovery Apps:
✔ DiskDigger (Android) – Helps recover deleted images from internal storage.
✔ EaseUS Data Recovery (PC & Mac) – Can restore lost files from a connected phone.
✔ Dr.Fone (iOS & Android) – Recovers deleted photos from phones and cloud backups.
How to Use a Recovery App:
- Download and install a trusted recovery app.
- Allow the app to scan your device for lost photos.
- Preview the recovered images and restore the ones you need.
While these tools can be helpful, their success depends on how long ago the photos were deleted and whether they have been overwritten by new data.
FAQs
1. Can I recover Instagram photos after 30 days?
No, once the 30-day period in the Recently Deleted folder expires, Instagram permanently deletes the photos. However, you can check your phone’s gallery, cloud backup, or use a data recovery tool to try retrieving them.
2. Where is Instagram’s “Recently Deleted” folder?
You can find it by following these steps:
- Open Instagram and go to your profile.
- Tap the three-line menu (☰) in the top-right corner.
- Select “Your Activity” > “Recently Deleted”.
3. Will clearing my phone’s cache delete Instagram photos?
No, clearing the cache only removes temporary files. However, if you delete photos manually and then clear your cache, they may be harder to recover.
4. Can I restore a deleted Instagram post without using the app?
If you don’t have access to the Instagram app, you can try checking your phone’s gallery, cloud backups, or a recovery tool. Instagram itself does not offer recovery options via its website.
5. Can I retrieve deleted Instagram photos from a deactivated account?
If you have deactivated your account, your posts are still safe and will be restored once you log in again. However, if you have permanently deleted your account, all photos and data are lost forever.
6. Do third-party recovery tools always work?
Not always. Their success depends on whether the deleted files have been overwritten by new data. It’s best to try recovery as soon as possible.
7. How can I prevent losing Instagram photos in the future?
✔ Enable auto-backup on Google Photos (Android) or iCloud (iPhone).
✔ Save Instagram posts to your device before posting.
✔ Archive posts instead of deleting them if you might want to restore them later.
Final Thoughts
Losing an Instagram photo doesn’t always mean it’s gone forever. By checking the Recently Deleted folder, looking through phone backups, and using recovery software, you have a good chance of getting your pictures back. To avoid losing photos in the future, consider enabling automatic backups on your phone or cloud storage.
