Download your own Instagram account for archiving via Instagram

Instagram gives you the option to request and download an archive of your own Instagram data. It is the simplest and least time-consuming way to archive your own Instagram posts.

Author

Nastasia Vanderperren (meemoo, Flemish Institute for the Archive)

Advantages and disadvantages

• no additional software or technical knowledge needed to retrieve your own Instagram content;
• all own posts, comments, and stories (including captions) are downloaded.

• only your own content is downloaded; third-party comments, likes, and reactions are not included;
• information is separated; your own comments on your own posts are saved separately and are not visible with the photo;
• privacy-sensitive material such as email addresses and phone numbers of your contacts may be present in the downloaded archive;
• the Instagram look-and-feel is gone.

Workflow

Step 1: log in to Instagram

This workflow only works on the Instagram website. Log in with your credentials at Instagram.com.

Step 2: request to download your Instagram data

• Go to 'More' and choose 'Settings'

• Then click on the box for the Meta Account Center

• You’ll land on a page where you can manage your Meta accounts. In the menu, choose 'Your information and permissions' and then 'Download your information'.

• A new window appears. Click the button 'Download or transfer information'.

• Select the accounts you want to archive. If you also have a Facebook account, you can download its data here as well.

• Indicate that you want to download all available information.

• Choose 'Download to device'.

• Select format HTML and media quality as high. Optionally, set a time period. Choose 'all time' to download all your data. By default, the period is set to the past year. Once ready, click the Create files button.

• Meta will now prepare a download. You will be notified when your data is ready.

Result

Once the archive is downloaded, you will receive a ZIP file containing various folders and an index.html file.

The easiest way to view the archive is via the index.html file.