How to View Deleted Stories on Instagram

Instagram stories are designed to be temporary, disappearing after 24 hours. But sometimes, you might accidentally delete a story or want to view one after it's expired. Fortunately, Instagram has built-in features that allow you to recover and view deleted stories. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the different ways you can view your deleted stories and recover them if needed.

1. Using Instagram’s "Recently Deleted" Feature

Instagram introduced a feature called "Recently Deleted" that allows users to recover posts, reels, and stories that have been removed. This feature is a lifesaver for anyone who accidentally deletes their content or wants to revisit an old story.

Here’s how to use it:

Step 1: Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
Step 2: Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner to open the menu.
Step 3: Select Settings.
Step 4: Scroll down and tap on Account.
Step 5: In the Account section, you’ll find an option called Recently Deleted. Tap on it.
Step 6: Here, you’ll see all the content you’ve deleted, including stories. Stories remain in this folder for 24 hours after being deleted (or up to 30 days if archived).
Step 7: Tap on the story you want to view, and you can choose to restore it to your profile or just view it.

Important Note: Stories that expired naturally after 24 hours and were not deleted manually will not appear in the Recently Deleted folder. This folder is strictly for manually deleted content.

2. Using Instagram Archive to View Expired Stories

If you’re looking to view a story that has expired after its 24-hour cycle but wasn’t deleted, you can find it in your Instagram Archive. Instagram automatically archives your stories, so you can always go back and view them or re-share them later.

Here’s how to access your story archive:

Step 1: Open Instagram and go to your profile.
Step 2: Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner and select Archive.
Step 3: In the Archive section, you'll see all of your past stories in chronological order. You can tap on any story to view it.

From here, you can also share your old stories, add them to a highlight, or download them to your device.

3. Backup Methods: Using Third-Party Apps (Proceed with Caution)

While Instagram provides reliable ways to recover and view deleted stories, there are also third-party apps that claim to help retrieve deleted Instagram content. However, be cautious when using these apps, as many require access to your account information, which can compromise your privacy and security.

Most third-party apps are not officially supported by Instagram, and some may not work as intended. Before using such apps, make sure to read reviews, check the app's security protocols, and ensure it’s from a reputable developer.

4. How to Avoid Losing Stories: Archive and Backup Your Stories

To avoid accidentally losing stories in the future, you can set Instagram to automatically archive all your stories.

Here’s how:

Step 1: Open Instagram and go to your profile.
Step 2: Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner and select Settings.
Step 3: Tap Privacy, then select Story.
Step 4: Scroll down to find the option that says Save Story to Archive. Toggle it on.

With this option enabled, every story you post will automatically be saved in your archive even after it disappears from your profile. You can go back and view them anytime without worrying about manual deletion.

FAQ: Common Questions About Deleted Instagram Stories

Q: Can I recover a story that was deleted more than 24 hours ago?
A: Yes, you can recover deleted stories from Instagram’s Recently Deleted feature, but they only remain in that folder for 24 hours if they weren’t saved to your archive. If the story was saved in your archive, it will remain available indefinitely.

Q: Can other people see my deleted stories?
A: No, once a story is deleted or expires, it is no longer visible to other users. Only you can access deleted stories through the Recently Deleted folder or the Archive.

Q: Are there any third-party apps that work to recover Instagram stories?
A: Some third-party apps claim to help recover Instagram stories, but these are not endorsed by Instagram and can compromise your account’s security. It’s safer to use Instagram’s built-in features for recovering deleted content.

Q: Can I recover a story that expired and wasn’t deleted?
A: Yes, if a story has expired (after 24 hours) but wasn’t manually deleted, you can still view it in the Archive section.

Q: How long do stories stay in the Recently Deleted folder?
A: Deleted stories remain in the Recently Deleted folder for 24 hours before they are permanently removed. Other types of deleted content, like posts or reels, stay in the folder for up to 30 days.

Conclusion

While Instagram stories are designed to be temporary, there are ways to view and recover them if needed. By using Instagram’s Recently Deleted feature or accessing your Archive, you can easily recover deleted or expired stories. Always remember to turn on automatic archiving to avoid losing your content in the future, and be cautious when considering third-party apps. With these tips, you’ll never have to worry about losing your favorite Instagram stories again!