Export Instagram Chat History Locally on Your Device

Mark Regan
Published: February 4th, 2026 • 6 Min Read

Blog Summary: Instagram is not only a social media platform, but it is also a place where we share memories, conversations, and important moments. In this guide, we will show you how to export Instagram chat history safely and efficiently. By following official Instagram options and using a professional tool, you can easily save your conversation messages before deleting or deactivating the account without any risk of data loss. 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 have 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: Access Instagram Data Download Settings

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 wiil ask Instagram account password to confirm the request. Instagram will then begin preparing your data.

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 for 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 the all messages sent and received in the chat section.
Then, open MS Word or Google Docs, accordingly, and paste the messages there.
Finally, press Ctrl+S and successfully export the Instagram chat in the desired format.

Limitation: The entire process is manual, consumes a lot of time. It also alter 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-sized 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.

Using Professional Tools to Save Instagram Conversations

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 without technical knowledge.

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

Step-by-Step Guide to Export Instagram Chat History

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.
Now, download and start the software on your computer.
Add your Instagram data file and check the folders you want.
Now, pick a file format from the Saving optionsin 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:
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