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How to save your Instagram photos before you delete your account

Before you delete Instagram, download your data in Accounts Center → Your information and permissions → Export your information. Choose All time, JSON and the highest media quality, then wait for the email with the download link. Keep the ZIP somewhere safe. Once the account is deleted, Instagram can’t send you another copy.

Delete or deactivate?

Deactivating hides your profile until you log in again. Your posts stay with Instagram and come back when you return. Deleting removes the account and everything in it for good. Instagram gives you 30 days to change your mind after you ask to delete, then the deletion goes through.

Either way, download your data first. It is free and takes a couple of minutes to request.

What to include

  • Everything: keep all the information ticked if you also want your messages, comments, stories and followers. The file gets large, but it is the only complete copy you will have.
  • Only your photos: tick just Posts. The file is much smaller, and it is all you need for a photo book.
  • All time, JSON and the highest media quality, whatever you include. JSON keeps the dates and captions next to each photo.

Request the export on your phone

These steps pick Posts only, which is enough for a photo book. For a full copy, skip step 5 and keep everything ticked.

  1. Open your profile and the menu

    Tap your profile picture (bottom right), then the menu (☰) top right, then Settings and activity.

  2. Accounts Center

    Tap Accounts Center at the top of the list, then Your information and permissions.

  3. Export your information

    Tap Export your information, then Create export. In older versions of the app this is called Download your information.

  4. Pick your profile and destination

    Select your Instagram profile (untick any Facebook account) and tap Next. Then choose Export to device.

  5. Choose Posts only

    Tap Customize information, untick everything, then tick Posts under Your Instagram activity. Some versions call it Media.

  6. Set the options and start

    Set Date range to All time, Format to JSON and Media quality to the highest option. Check the email address for the notification, then tap Start export. Instagram may ask for your password to confirm.

Download it in time

Instagram emails you when the export is ready, usually within a few hours, sometimes a day or two. The download link only works for four days. Wait until you have the ZIP on your own device before you delete the account.

Something went wrong? See Instagram export problems and how to fix them.

Keep it safe

  • Store the ZIP in two places, for example your computer and a cloud drive or an external disk.
  • You don’t need to unpack or sort it. The ZIP is the original, and tools like Inbunden read it as it is.
  • Instagram keeps copies of your photos at up to 1080 pixels wide. If you still have the originals on your phone or camera, keep those too. They print sharper.

Turn the archive into a book

A ZIP on a hard drive is easy to forget. If you want to look at the photos again, upload the export to Inbunden, pick the years you want and download a print-ready PDF for €9. You can make the book long after the account is gone, as long as you have the ZIP. See how to make a photo book from your Instagram.

Questions

Can I get my photos back after deleting Instagram?

Only within the 30 days before the deletion goes through, by logging in again. After that the account and its photos are gone, so download your data before you delete.

Does the export include my captions and dates?

Yes. In JSON format every post comes with its date and caption. Stories, comments and messages are only included if you choose them.

Is Inbunden a backup of my Instagram?

No. Inbunden keeps your photos for 3 months so you can make books, then deletes them. Keep the ZIP yourself.

Ready to make yours?

Bring in your photos, pick the ones you want and preview every page before you pay.

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