Export Instagram Chat History Locally on Your Device

Mark Regan
Published: February 7th, 2026 • 7 Min Read

Blog Summary: Instagram is not only a social media platform for posting photos and reels. It is also a place where many people share memories, chat with friends, family members, and colleagues. In this guide, we will see different ways to export Instagram chat history safely. You can use official Instagram options or choose a professional tool to easily export your conversation. It also ensures that all your conversations remain secure during the conversion.

In today’s digital world, your Instagram chats are more than just messages. Because they contain personal notes, messages, important conversations, and memories that we want to keep forever. That is why it is very important to export Instagram chat history to keep the messages safe before taking any irreversible steps. Whether it is direct messages with close friends, group chats, or important conversations, saving Instagram chats ensures you never lose these valuable memories. With the right methods, you can securely export Instagram messages using the right tools.

Why You Should Export Instagram Chat History?

Protect Important Conversations: Because Instagram chats contain personal or important messages. While exporting the chat, you can save Instagram conversation safely without losing the data.

Prevent Permanent Data Loss: If users want to delete or deactivate the account first, they want to save Instagram chats so that they can prevent their chats from being lost forever.

Keep Memories Intact: The chat contains some fun moments and memories. When you save Instagram chat history, you can keep all these memories forever and look back at them anytime.

Prevent Hacking: If a user wants to prevent hacking, backing up chats keeps them in control. They can read, organize, and check their messages anytime on their device.

How to Export Instagram Chat Using the Official Method?

While using the official manual steps, users can export the Instagram chat history. This data can be downloaded on both Android and Windows devices, using the same official method.

Note:

First, Android users should update the Instagram app from the Play Store.
Registered email address is active and has enough space to get 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.
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 “Export to Device” option.
In Customize information, select only messages and file format JSON, and save it.
Then click on the “Start Export”. It will ask Instagram account password to confirm the request.

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

Limitations:

The method provides a file in JSON format that is not readable to users.
The device must have enough storage space. Otherwise, the export may fail.

Method 2: Copy and Paste the Messages

Open the chat that you want to export.
Now, copy all messages sent and received in the chat section.
Then, open MS Word or Google Docs, accordingly, and paste the messages into.
Finally, press Ctrl+S and successfully export the Instagram chat in the desired format.

Limitation: The entire process is manual and consumes a lot of time. It also alters the formatting, such as the tables, blocks, etc.

Method 3: Use the Print Option

First, open the chat section you want to download locally.
Then, press Ctrl+P keys to print the chat.
Now, do the required settings in the print window, if any.
Further, click on Save and select the saving destination.
At last, select the Save option to export Instagram chat.

Limitations: It does not follow the original formatting. It creates large PDF files, which hampers system storage and performance.

Method 4: Take a Screenshot of Chats

Open the Instagram inbox on your computer screen.
Then, press Windows+Shift+S and drag the cursor for a selective chat screenshot.
Once done, open the screenshot, press Ctrl+S, and store Instagram chat at the desired location.

Limitation: This method is not suitable for long conversations. Also, one cannot search or copy particular messages in the chat screenshots.

Professional Tools to Export Instagram Messages

Exporting Instagram chat history manually using official steps can be time-consuming and limited. Instagram stores chat data in JSON format, which makes it difficult for most users to open, read, and manage conversations in a readable format without technical knowledge.

Export Instagram chat history in a readable format, using a professional tool like BitRecover Chat Converter, is the best solution to easily convert Instagram JSON data. It helps users to export Instagram chat data into readable formats such as PNG, JPG, PDF, PPTX, PST, HTML, and more. This professional tool saves time and effort and keeps the data safe. It allows users to manage Instagram conversations easily without any technical expertise.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Export Instagram Chat History

First, go to the location where you have downloaded the Instagram export chat on your device.
Now, right-click on the extracted ZIP file to extract the files in JSON format.
Now, download and start the software on your computer.
Click on the Select Files and Select Folders options to add files.
Here, it will show you a 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

The tool comes with 27+ saving options, such as PST, PDF, HTML, DOCX, TXT, XLSX, JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, etc.
In dual mode option user can add multiple chat files or entire folders for fast and organized output without a size limit.
The tool generates a separate output file for each conversation automatically.
It preserves all message timestamps, sender, receiver information, and other metadata intact during conversion.
As this tool works on completely offline mode, and is developed by an in-house team. Which ensures complete data accuracy throughout the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How long does Instagram take to send chat data?

While using the manual way, it usually takes up to 48 hours to receive the download email.

Q2. How do I export Instagram chats on iPhone?

First, go to Settings >>Accounts Center >>Your information and permissions >>Export your information, then request a data download.

Q3. Which software is commonly used to export Instagram chats?

Some users prefer professional tools to export chat files into readable formats.

Q4. Why should I export Instagram chat history?

Many people export their chats to keep important conversations, save memories, or back up messages before closing or switching accounts.

Q5. How do I export Instagram chats on Android?

Go to Settings >>Accounts Center >>Your information and permissions >>Export your information, then request a data download.

Conclusion

Instagram is more than just a social media platform; it holds valuable conversations and memories. Manual methods like export chat, copy-paste, print, and screenshots these methods work. But all methods come with limitations, like unreadable JSON files, time-consuming steps, and formatting issues.

Using a professional solution makes the process easier. Using the right tool users can convert Instagram chat data into readable formats and securely store their conversations without technical knowledge for future access.