If you’ve accidentally deleted photos from your Instagram account, don’t panic! There are a few ways to recover them. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with detailed instructions on how to get back deleted photos on Instagram without any hassle. Whether you accidentally hit the delete button or your account was hacked, we’ve got you covered with effective solutions and preventive measures to avoid losing precious memories in the future.
Instagram, a prominent social media platform, allows users to share their visual experiences with the world. However, it’s not uncommon to encounter situations where photos may be inadvertently deleted, leaving users distraught at the potential loss of cherished memories. The good news is that Instagram offers several options for recovering deleted photos, empowering users to restore their treasured content. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various methods to retrieve deleted Instagram photos, ensuring that your precious moments are never truly lost. From utilizing Instagram’s built-in recovery features to employing third-party tools, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions tailored to your specific needs. Additionally, we’ll discuss proactive measures to safeguard your photos from accidental deletion, ensuring peace of mind in the face of potential mishaps.
Recovering Photos from the Recently Deleted Folder
Instagram provides a “Recently Deleted” folder where photos that have been deleted within the past 30 days are stored. To recover photos from this folder, follow these steps:
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Open the Instagram app and log in.
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Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
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Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
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Select “Settings” from the menu.
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Scroll down and tap on “Account.”
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Tap on “Recently Deleted.”
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Select the photos you want to recover and tap “Recover.”
The recovered photos will be restored to their original location in your account.
| Platform | Restore Period |
|---|---|
| 30 days |
Using Third-Party Recovery Tools
If Instagram’s native recovery options fail to restore your deleted photos, you can resort to third-party recovery tools. These tools leverage advanced algorithms to scan your device’s storage and locate deleted files, including photos. Here’s a detailed guide on how to use these tools:
1. Choose a Reputable Tool
Research different third-party recovery tools and select one with a proven track record, positive reviews, and compatibility with your device. Some popular options include:
| Tool | Platform |
|---|---|
| Disk Drill | Windows, Mac |
| Stellar Data Recovery | Windows, Mac, Android |
| Recuva | Windows |
2. Scan Your Device
Once the tool is installed, launch it and connect your device to your computer. Select the storage area where your deleted Instagram photos were located and initiate a deep scan. Depending on the size of the storage and the tool’s efficiency, the scan can take several minutes or even hours.
3. Preview and Recover Photos
Upon completion of the scan, the tool will display a list of recoverable files. Preview the photos to identify your lost images. Select the ones you wish to recover and choose a destination folder on your computer or device to restore them. Note that the recovered photos may not be in their original quality, especially if they have undergone significant data corruption.
Retrieving Photos from Connected Accounts
If you’ve linked your Instagram account to other social media platforms or cloud storage services, you may be able to recover deleted photos from those accounts. Here’s how:
If your Instagram account is connected to your Facebook account, you can retrieve deleted photos from Facebook’s Recently Deleted folder. To do this:
- Go to Facebook’s Settings & Privacy.
- Click on “Timeline and Tagging” from the left menu.
- Scroll down to the “Activity Log” section and click on “Manage Activity.”
- Click on the “Recently Deleted” tab.
- Locate the deleted Instagram photo and click on the “Restore” button.
Note:
Deleted photos will only remain in the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days. After that, they will be permanently deleted.
Google Photos
If you’ve enabled Instagram’s auto-backup feature to Google Photos, you can retrieve deleted photos from your Google Photos account. To do this:
- Go to Google Photos on your computer or mobile device.
- Click on the “Albums” tab.
- Scroll down to the “Instagram” album and open it.
- Locate the deleted photo and click on the “Download” button to save it to your device.
Note:
The backup status of your Instagram photos can vary depending on when you enabled the auto-backup feature. If you enabled it before deleting the photos, they should be available in Google Photos. Otherwise, they won’t be there.
4. Contacting Instagram for Assistance
If the previous methods fail to retrieve your deleted photos, you can reach out to Instagram’s support team for assistance. Here’s how:
- Go to Instagram’s Help Center.
- Click on the Search the Help Center bar.
- Type in “Recover deleted photos” and hit enter.
- Select the option that says How do I recover deleted photos and videos?
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the Contact Us button.
On the contact form, provide the following information:
- Your Instagram username
- A brief description of the issue (e.g., “I accidentally deleted my photos”)
- A screenshot or other proof of the deleted photos (optional)
Once you have completed the form, click on the Send button. Instagram’s support team will review your request and respond as soon as possible. Note that the recovery process may take some time, depending on the circumstances of your case.
Here are some additional tips for contacting Instagram support:
- Be polite and respectful in your communication.
- Be clear and concise in explaining your issue.
- Provide as much information as possible to support your request.
Restoring Photos from a Backup
If you’re lucky, you may have backed up your photos to a cloud service or an external hard drive before they were deleted. If so, you can try restoring them from the backup.
To restore photos from a cloud service, such as Google Photos or iCloud, simply log in to your account and navigate to the “Photos” section. You should see all of your backed-up photos there.
To restore photos from an external hard drive, connect the drive to your computer and open the “Photos” folder. You should see all of your backed-up photos there.
Once you’ve found your backed-up photos, you can select the ones you want to restore and click the “Restore” button. The photos will be restored to your Instagram account.
Restoring Photos from an Android Backup
If you’re an Android user, you can restore your deleted photos from a Google Drive backup. To do this:
1. Open the Google Drive app on your Android phone or tablet.
2. Tap the “Menu” button in the top-left corner of the screen.
3. Tap “Settings.”
4. Tap “Backup & reset.”
5. Tap “Restore data from backup.”
6. Select the backup that you want to restore from.
7. Tap “Restore.”
Once the restore is complete, your deleted photos will be restored to your Instagram account.
| Cloud Service | Backup Method |
|---|---|
| Google Photos | Automatic backup for photos and videos |
| iCloud | Automatic backup for photos and videos on iOS devices |
| Dropbox | Manual backup for any type of file |
| OneDrive | Automatic backup for photos and videos on Windows devices |
Checking the Archive Section
Instagram offers an archive feature that allows you to hide posts without permanently deleting them. If you have accidentally deleted a photo, check your archive to see if it’s still there:
Steps to Access the Archive Section:
| Device | Steps |
|---|---|
| iPhone/iPad |
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| Android |
|
Restoring Photos from the Archive:
If you find the deleted photo in the archive, it’s easy to restore it to your feed:
- Open the archived photo.
- Tap the three dots in the bottom right corner.
- Select “Show in Profile”.
Your photo will reappear in your feed and be visible to your followers.
Utilizing Data Recovery Software
Data recovery software specializes in retrieving lost or deleted files from digital devices, including Instagram photos. These programs scan your device’s storage to locate the desired data, even if it has been overwritten. Some popular options include:
Table: Popular Data Recovery Software for Instagram
| Software | Features |
|---|---|
| Disk Drill | – Deep scan capabilities for extensive recovery – Preview files before recovery – Supports multiple file formats, including photos |
| Recuva | – Simple and user-friendly interface – Advanced options for specialized recovery scenarios – Free version available |
| Stellar Data Recovery | – Industry-leading recovery rates – Supports a wide range of file types and devices – Offers technical support |
Procedure:
– Install the data recovery software on your device.
– Connect your device to the computer.
– Launch the software and select the scanning mode (e.g., “Deep Scan”).
– Wait for the scan to complete.
– Preview the recovered files and select the Instagram photos you want to restore.
– Click on the “Recover” button to save the photos to a desired location.
– Note: Data recovery software may not be able to restore all deleted photos, especially if they have been permanently overwritten.
Employing the Instagram API
The Instagram API offers a powerful method for recovering deleted photos. To utilize this approach, follow these steps:
- Obtain an Instagram Developer Account: Register for a developer account on Instagram and generate credentials for API access.
- Get User Access Token: Authorize your application using the credentials obtained in Step 1 to receive a user access token.
- Make API Call: Send an API request to retrieve the list of recently deleted photos. Pass the access token as an authorization parameter.
- Identify Deleted Photos: Examine the response from the API call to locate the deleted photos. These photos will be marked with a “deleted” flag.
- Restore Photos: Use the API to restore the deleted photos. This requires you to have the necessary permissions and ownership of the photos.
- Export and Save: Once the photos are restored, export them from Instagram and save them to a local device for permanent backup.
- Limitations: Be aware that the API recovery method only works for photos deleted within the past 30 days.
- Technical Complexity: Employing the API approach requires technical expertise and familiarity with API integration and coding.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| API Endpoint | https://graph.facebook.com/v10.0/me/media |
| Request Method | GET |
| Authorization | Bearer {user_access_token} |
| Query Parameters | fields=id,username,timestamp,media_type,permalink,media_url,caption,like_count,comments_count,is_deleted |
Assessing Legal Options
If you believe Instagram unlawfully deleted your photos, you may have legal recourse. Here are some potential options:
1. File a DMCA Counter-Notification
If you believe your photos were removed due to a copyright infringement claim, you can file a DMCA counter-notification. This process involves submitting a formal request to Instagram to reinstate your content.
2. Contact the Rights Holder
If you know who filed the copyright infringement claim, you can try contacting them to request they withdraw it. If they consent, Instagram will likely reinstate your photos.
3. Seek Legal Advice
If other options fail, you may consider seeking legal advice. An attorney can help you explore your legal options and determine if you have a valid case.
4. Report Instagram to the FTC
If you believe Instagram violated consumer protection laws, you can report them to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC may investigate Instagram’s practices and take action if necessary.
5. File a Lawsuit
As a last resort, you may consider filing a lawsuit against Instagram. However, this is a costly and time-consuming option and should only be pursued if all other avenues have been exhausted.
6. Use Data Recovery Software
If your photos were deleted from your device but not from Instagram’s servers, you may be able to recover them using data recovery software.
7. Contact Instagram Support
You can try contacting Instagram’s support team and explaining your situation. They may be able to provide assistance in recovering your photos.
8. Check the App Store or Google Play Store
Instagram releases app updates regularly. Checking the App Store or Google Play Store for any updates may include bug fixes or improvements that could potentially help you recover your deleted photos.
9. Reinstall the Instagram App
Reinstalling the Instagram app can sometimes resolve issues and restore functionality. Before uninstalling the app, ensure all your important photos are backed up elsewhere. After reinstalling, log back into your account and check if your deleted photos have been restored.
Preventing Future Photo Loss
1. Enable Automatic Photo Backup
Instagram offers a convenient feature called “Auto-Backup” that automatically saves your photos and videos to your Google Drive account. To enable this feature, go to your Instagram profile, tap the three lines in the top right corner, select “Settings,” then “Account,” and finally tap “Backup.” Make sure the “Automatic Backup” toggle is switched on.
2. Use a Dedicated Photo Backup Service
There are several third-party photo backup services available that can provide you with an additional layer of protection for your photos. Some popular options include Google Photos, iCloud Photos, and Dropbox.
3. Send Photos to a Designated Email Address
This is a simple but effective method to create a backup of your photos. To do this, go to your Instagram profile, tap the three lines in the top right corner, select “Settings,” then “Email and SMS,” and finally tap “Add Email Address.” You can then send your photos to this email address as attachments.
4. Download Your Instagram Data
Instagram allows you to download a copy of all your data, including your photos and videos. To do this, go to your Instagram profile, tap the three lines in the top right corner, select “Settings,” then “Privacy and Security,” and finally tap “Download Data.” This will create a ZIP file containing all your data, which you can save to your computer or cloud storage service.
5. Use a Mobile Device Backup Solution
Most mobile devices offer backup solutions that can automatically back up your photos and other data. Make sure to enable these backup features to ensure that you have a backup in case your device is lost or damaged.
6. Store Photos on an External Hard Drive
If you want to keep your photos completely offline, you can store them on an external hard drive. This is a physical device that connects to your computer and provides additional storage space. It’s a good idea to regularly back up your external hard drive to another location in case it fails or becomes damaged.
7. Keep Your Instagram App Updated
Instagram regularly releases updates that may include bug fixes and improvements to the app’s features. Make sure to keep your Instagram app updated to ensure that you have the latest version with the most recent security measures.
8. Be Careful When Deleting Photos
Always double-check before you delete any photos from Instagram, especially if they are important to you. If you accidentally delete a photo, you can try to recover it using the methods described in the previous sections.
9. Use a Photo Recovery App
There are several photo recovery apps available for both Android and iOS devices that can scan your device’s storage for deleted photos. These apps can sometimes recover photos that have been deleted from your Instagram account.
10. Contact Instagram Support
As a last resort, you can contact Instagram support and explain your situation. They may be able to provide you with further assistance in recovering your deleted photos. However, it’s important to note that Instagram may not be able to recover all deleted photos, especially if they have been permanently removed from their servers.
How To Get Back Deleted Photos On Instagram
If you have accidentally deleted photos from Instagram, there are a few ways you can try to get them back. Here are a few methods:
- Check your device’s recently deleted folder. Photos that you delete from Instagram are usually moved to your device’s recently deleted folder. This folder is usually located in your phone’s gallery or photos app.
- Use a photo recovery app. There are a number of photo recovery apps available that can scan your device for deleted photos. These apps can sometimes recover photos that have been deleted from your device’s recently deleted folder.
- Contact Instagram support. If you have tried the above methods and have not been able to recover your deleted photos, you can contact Instagram support. Instagram support may be able to help you recover your photos if they have been deleted for less than 30 days.
It is important to note that there is no guarantee that you will be able to recover deleted photos from Instagram. However, by following the above methods, you may be able to increase your chances of success.
People Also Ask
How can I recover deleted photos from Instagram that are more than 30 days old?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to recover deleted photos from Instagram that are more than 30 days old. This is because Instagram automatically deletes photos and videos from its servers after 30 days.
Can I use a third-party app to recover deleted photos from Instagram?
Yes, there are a number of third-party apps available that can scan your device for deleted photos. However, it is important to note that these apps are not always reliable and may not be able to recover all of your deleted photos.
Is there a way to prevent my photos from being deleted from Instagram in the future?
There is no surefire way to prevent your photos from being deleted from Instagram, but there are a few things you can do to reduce the risk:
- Back up your photos to a cloud storage service, such as Google Photos or iCloud.
- Use an app, such as KeepSafe or LockMyPix, to lock your photos and videos.
- Be careful when deleting photos from Instagram. Always double-check to make sure that you want to delete a photo before you click the “Delete” button
