Did you know that the Instagram app is already 15 years old? That’s right, on October 6, 2010, it was introduced to the world, and today almost everyone has it on their phone. In our usual perception, Instagram is about sharing photos and videos, commenting, tagging friends, and, let’s be honest, a bit of showing off.
But today, it’s an app where you can do almost anything: send messages, create Stories, edit photos, sell items, watch Reels, launch a balloon into space, and so on. Well, okay, we’re not sure about the balloon.
In this article, we will focus on Instagram messages. You’re likely looking for the
answer to this question: Is there a way to see deleted messages on Instagram? So, we’re here to provide you with those answers. We’ll also introduce DF Viewer — a special tool for watching stories anonymously and exploring Instagram like never before. Let’s dive in!
Table Of Contents
Option 1: Ask the Person You Were Talking To
This is the easiest and fastest way. The thing is, when you delete a message, it only disappears on your end — the other person still has the full chat. Just ask them to send you a screenshot of your conversation, and that’s it — problem solved, your deleted messages on Instagram are back with you.
But there’s one more important thing to note. Instagram has two different options: delete and unsend messages. If you specifically press “unsend,” the message disappears from both chats.
In any case, we recommend asking your conversation partner first, as there’s a good chance everything is still saved in their chat. But if you’re not comfortable doing that, no worries. We have other methods you can try.
Option 2: Get Notification History
This method is only for Android users. Devices running versions 11 and up have a built-in “Notification History” feature, which is a real lifesaver in these situations.
If you had notifications enabled (fingers crossed you did), it will be easy to find deleted messages on Instagram. Here’s how you can do it:
Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Notifications > Notification History.
Everything is saved in this section. By the way, you’ll be able to see not only Instagram messages but also those from other apps.
However, keep in mind that if you didn’t have this feature turned on earlier, you won’t be able to see any messages that were deleted before you enabled it.
Also, make sure to enable notifications within the app. If you don’t want constant pings, you can configure them only for specific chats and set them to silent.
Option 3: Download Your Information
Instagram stores a lot of your data for a long time, for example, likes, reposts, saved and archived posts, stories, and, most importantly, your chats.
Therefore, there is a good chance to restore deleted Instagram messages. All you need to do is download your information. By the way, this method works on both Android and iOS. Here’s how:
- First, tap the three lines (menu icon) at the bottom of the sidebar, then select “Accounts Center” (located at the top of the list).
- Go to “Your information and permissions” > “Export your information”.
- Next, tap the “Create export” button and pick your profile.
- Choose where you want to export the file: to your device or to an external service.
- Press “Customize Information” and select “Messages” from the list.
- Select the time period you need, the download format, and the media quality. We also recommend enabling notifications, because preparing your file for export can take some time.
- Finally, tap “Start Export“.
Once your file is ready, download it and review all the information you’re interested in. Deleted messages might be in there.
Not Every Problem Comes Down to Messages
If you’re here not because you accidentally deleted a text, but because of something more serious, such as relationship problems, you may need to dig a little deeper. And we want to support you in any situation you might have.
As you already know, you can get deleted messages back on Instagram, and it’s not so difficult, but maybe the key to your solution lies in likes, reposts, stories, and subscriptions?
We also have a solution for those situations. DF Viewer is a server tool that lets you explore the Instagram activity of people you’re interested in, anonymously and discreetly.
With DF Viewer, you can:
- Watch their stories anonymously
- Check what they like and who likes them
- Browse their followers
- Download posts and stories in high quality
- Watch their statistics
- View profile information, even for private accounts
All of this is completely anonymous and discreet. You don’t even need the Instagram app or an account. There’s nothing to install and no complicated setup: DF Viewer works directly from your browser.
You can also monitor an unlimited number of accounts. This tool allows you to view not only their stories but also those of their friends, colleagues, ex-partners, and anyone else.
Long story short, sometimes you just need to view someone’s content and discover what interests you without them knowing. That’s exactly when DF Viewer becomes a lifesaver.
Final Words
So, now you know how to recover deleted Instagram messages and view stories anonymously. Keep in mind that great power comes with great responsibility. Use this information wisely and in accordance with local laws. Always respect others’ privacy — it really matters.
