How to Download Instagram Data Before Deleting Account?

Mark Regan
Published: February 4th, 2026 • 8 Min Read

Blog Summary: Downloading Instagram data before deleting your account is a smart step to protect your personal content. This blog guides you through a complete step-by-step guide to download Instagram data, like photos and videos, messages, and more. By following the download steps given below, users can easily save Instagram photos and videos before deleting the account without any risk or data loss.

Instagram stores many private photos, videos, messages, comments, and memories. If your account is deleted, you can lose all of them forever and cannot get them back. That is why, before deleting your Instagram account, it is very important to keep a backup of your data. While using Instagram, it allows users can download Instagram data that includes photos, videos, messages, comments, and profile details. This Instagram data download feature helps you avoid permanent data loss after account deletion.In this guide, you will learn the best way to download Instagram data before deleting account using official options and with advanced professional tools. This guide shows simple step-by-step ways to download Instagram data, so you can manage your data easily and keep your memories safe in 2026.

Why You Need to Download Instagram Account Data?

Avoid permanent data loss: When you want to delete your Instagram account, photos, videos, messages, and profile details are permanently removed automatically. That is why it is very important to download Instagram data before deleting account.
Save photos and videos safely: A person who wants to keep their memories safe. They should download Instagram photos and videos before deleting their account to avoid losing important moments.
Future reference or backup: Downloading Instagram data is useful for future reference, such as personal backup and uses, especially if you plan to permanently delete your account.
Legal Use: In Many cases, Instagram data download used as important evidence in legal cases such as cyberbullying, stalking, or false accusations. In this time, it is used during investigation and court proceedings.
Before Deactivation: If you are deactivating your Instagram account, download Instagram account data to keep a complete record of your online activity.

Official Steps to Download Instagram Data Before Deleting Account

While using the official steps, Instagram allows users to export a complete data copy. This includes profile details, photos, videos, posts, messages, reels, and activity. Users can download this data on both Android and Windows devices, using the same official method.

Note:

Before starting the Instagram data download process, Android users should update the app in the Play Store.
Also, confirm the registered email address is active and has enough storage space to receive the download link.

Method 1: Use the “Export to Device” Option to Download Instagram Data

First, open the Instagram app on a mobile device or web browser.
Then, go to Settings and open Accounts Center.
Click on the “Your Information and Permissions” tab.
After that, click on the “Export your information” option to start the Instagram data download process.
Click on the “Create export” and choose the Instagram profile.
Now, select the “Export to Device” option.
Customize the export options by selecting the data type, date range, file format, and media quality and click on “Start Export”.
Lastly, enter your Instagram account password to confirm the request. Instagram will then begin preparing your data.

Note: Always, export Instagram data in JSON format because it is easier to access and organize. The HTML format require technical knowledge to view and manage the data properly.

Limitations:

A weak or unstable internet connection can cause download failure or incomplete files.
Instagram takes time to prepare the data file. If the account has a lot of posts, videos, and messages.

Method 2: Use the “Export to External Service” Option to Download Instagram Data

First of all, open Instagram app> Go to Settings > then Account Center.
After that, click on“Your Information and Permissions,” then tap on “Export your information,” and then tap Create export to start the process.
Now select the option “Export to external service.”
Select a supported destination such as Google Photos, Dropbox, Koofr, Photobucket, Backblaze B2, etc., then click Next.
Choose how often you want to export Instagram data. Select the required option and click Next to continue. Once (one-time export), Daily, Monthly, Yearly.
Finally, connect your Instagram account to the selected external service account to allow Instagram to securely export your data.

Limitations:

Users requires a third party account on services like Google Photos, Dropbox, Koofr, etc., to export the data.
The selected external service must have enough storage space. Otherwise, the export may fail.

Method 3: Download Instagram Photos and Profile Information

First, open the Instagram app and then go to your profile.
Then, open the photo which one you want to save.
After take, take a screenshot of that photo.
Now, the photo will be saved in your device gallery automatically.

Note: Instagram does not offer a built-in option to download photos individually.

Limitations:

While using this method it does not save photos in original resolution.
Users need to take screenshot of each photo one by one, which is not time taking process for large data.

Method 4: Download Instagram Reels, Videos, and Messages

Simply open your Instagram account and go to your profile.
Open the reel you want to download.
Click on the share button.
Finally, click on the Download button, and the Instagram reel will be downloaded on your device.

Note: The Download option appears only for some public reels and depends on the creator’s settings.

Limitations:

This method is not available in some regions or for some accounts.
While downloading the reels, in some cases, reels comes without the full original sound.

Reliable Ways to Download Instagram Data Before Account

Downloading Instagram data manually using the official steps can be time-consuming and limited. Because Instagram chat data is stored in JSON format, so users need technical knowledge to open and read.

A Professional tool like BitRecover Chat Converter is the best solution to easily convert Instagram JSON data into multiple file formats such as PNG, JPG, PDF, PPTX, PST, HTML, and more. While using this professional tool, it saves users time and effort. It also ensures complete data safety, along-with provides manage Instagram data without any prior technical knowledge.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Download Instagram Data Safely and Easily

First, go to the location where you have downloaded the Instagram export on your device.
Now, right-click on it and choose the “Extract here” option and the files are extracted in JSON format.
Download and start the software on your computer.
Click on the Select Files and Select Folders options.
Here, it will shows you preview of all selected files and folders.
Now, pick a file format from the Saving options in which you want to download Instagram data.
Lastly, choose a destination path where you want to save your Instagram data and hit the Convert button.

Key Features of this tool

Convert Instagram chats to more than 27+ saving options as per the desired format, such as PST, PDF, HTML, DOCX, TXT, XLSX, JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, etc., for easy viewing and storage.
The user can add multiple chat files or entire folders while using the dual selection mode at once. It provides fast and organized output without a size limit.
It automatically generates individual files for each conversation for better management.
The tool also provides a custom destination path where the user can save the converted files as per the desired locations.
As this tool work on completely offline mode, and is developed by an in-house team. Which ensures complete data accuracy throughout the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to download Instagram chat data in 2026?

Instagram provides multiple built-in options to download your chat data; using these options, you can export the data, but it also has some limitations. Using a professional tool, you can safely export all Instagram photos, videos, messages, and profile data quickly.

2. How to save photos from Instagram?

Open Instagram and go to your Profile.
Open the photo or video you want to save.
Click the Share button and select My Files or Google Drive to save the content.

Conclusion

If you want to secure your Instagram memories before saying goodbye, make sure to save everything from Instagram, including messages, posts, photos, reels, videos, activities, bio, etc. However, in the above guide, we discussed how to download Instagram data before deleting the account easily with a few simple steps using the built-in features of Instagram. Moreover, we also suggested a few solutions that can help you change your Instagram data into any file extension you want and make them more compatible and accessible.