How to Download Your Instagram Data
Request a copy of your Instagram photos, messages, and account data through Accounts Center, pick a format and date range, and download the files by email link.
Applies to: current Instagram app; settings that live in Accounts Center noted. Last checked September 11, 2026. Suggest an edit
Instagram can package everything tied to your account, including photos, Reels, Stories, messages, comments, and settings, into files you download. The request goes through Meta's Accounts Center, and the files arrive by email link.
Open Accounts Center
Open the Instagram app, tap your profile picture in the bottom right, tap the three horizontal lines in the top right, tap Settings and activity, then tap Accounts Center at the top.
Go to Download your information
Tap Your information and permissions, then Download your information.
Tap Download or transfer information
Tap Download or transfer information. Select the Instagram account you want (or several if they are linked), then tap Next.
Choose how much to include
Choose Some of your information to pick specific categories such as messages or your posts, or All available information for everything. Tap Next, then tap Download to device.
Set the range, format, and quality
Pick the Date range, from the last week up to All time. Confirm the email address that will receive the link. Pick a Format: HTML opens in a browser and is the better choice if you just want to read or browse your data, while JSON is for importing into another tool or working with the raw data. Pick Media quality: High keeps full-resolution photos and video but makes a much larger download. Tap Create files.
Download from the email link
Instagram emails you when the files are ready. Open the email, tap the link, and log in if asked. You land on the same Download your information screen, where the request appears under Available downloads with a Download button. The link stays valid for a few days, and the files are ZIP archives that you can open on a phone or computer. Large accounts are split into several archives.
How long it takes. Small requests are ready within a few minutes, but a full history with high-quality media can take up to 48 hours. You can close the app while you wait. If nothing arrives, check your spam folder and confirm the email address shown on the request screen is one you still use.
Transfer instead of download. On the same Download or transfer information screen there is a Transfer to destination choice that sends your photos and videos straight to Google Photos, Google Drive, or another supported service without a ZIP file. On the website, the path is More, Settings, Accounts Center, and the same steps from there.