Where is the Instagram trash can, and how do you recover your files?

You have deleted a photo, a story, or a post by mistake on Instagram ? The trash can is called «Recently deleted» and it stores your content for 30 days before permanent deletion.

This feature was added by Instagram to give users more control over their data. When it comes to messages, that’s a different story—we’ll explain everything below.

And if you're also looking for Where is the trash can? WhatsApp, check out this article on the topic.

Where is deleted content on Instagram?

When you delete a photo, a video, a reel or a video IGTV, the content disappears from your profile but isn't lost yet. It automatically goes into a folder called Recently deleted, accessible from the app at iOS and Android. The stories Deleted items that aren't already in your archives are also removed.

This folder contains the deleted content for 30 days. After this period, the deletion becomes final and automatic : Recovery is no longer possible.

To access it, follow these steps in the app:

1. Open the app and go to your profile.

2. Press the three superimposed lines at top right.

3. Open "Your business.

4. Depending on your version of the app, tap «Photos and Videos»then on «Recently deleted».

You found the folder. It contains all your deleted content : photos, videos, and posts deleted, waiting for you to take action. You can restore or delete them permanently from this space.

To note : This menu might not appear if you haven't deleted anything recently. The path also varies slightly between iOS and Android depending on the app updates.

How can I restore or permanently delete content I've deleted on Instagram?

Once in the folder Recently deleted, you can choose what you want to do with each piece of content. Tap the photo, the story, the publication where the reel in question, then touches the three small points to open the menu.

Three options appear:

• Restore : reposts the content to your profile.
• To delete : deletes the content in a final.
• to cancel : Does nothing for now.

Act before the end of the 30 days if you want recover Content: After this period, your photos, videos, and Reels disappear with no chance of returning.

How to recover deleted Instagram messages?

The help page for’Instagram is clear: the Deleted messages cannot be recovered through the standard Recycle Bin. Unlike photos and videos, your deleted conversations don't go to the folder Recently deleted.

You still have two solutions in an attempt to find them.

1. Request a copy of your data (Android and iPhone)

The servers at’Instagram keep messages even after they've been deleted from your account. So you can recover part of your correspondence by requesting a copy of your data personal.

To note : This method does not reinsert your direct messages Instagram in the app. The data is sent to you by e-mail, in the form of files that can be viewed separately.

Here's how it works:

1. Open Instagram and go to your profile page.
2. Press the three lines at the top, then select Your business.
3. Scroll down and select Download your information.

4. Select the account select the relevant option, then press Next.
5. Choose Some of your information.

6. Checkmark Messages, then press Next.
7. Press Download to device.
8. Define the period To retrieve: Check a predefined box or customize the start and end dates.
9. Check the’e-mail address, the format and the media quality, then press Create files.

10. Open your email inbox : You'll find an email there with a link Download Information.

11. Between your identifiers Instagram, or log in via Facebook if your account is linked to it.
12. You are being redirected to the platform. Go back to Your business, then Download your information.
13. Press Download to retrieve the files on your device.
14. Confirm the download, then open Files to view your data.

To note : You can only request your files every 4 days. The steps above were performed on iPhone, but the method is almost identical on Android.

2. Notification History on Android

Attention : This method only works if you've enabled notification history. Before Deleting the message. Otherwise, it's impossible to find anything here.

On Android 11 and above, the notification history keeps a record of received messages, including those that were later deleted by the sender. Here's how to access it:

1. Go to Settings, then Notifications.

2. Scroll down, then tap Advanced settings.

3. Enable the’notification history using the switch.

4. Once the feature is enabled, look for the’tab Instagram and open the menu.
5. Do you see the original messages receipts, including those deleted by the sender.

Do you have any questions about this feature or about recovering your deleted conversations? Leave a comment Below, we'll answer your question.