Trying to figure out how to see deleted stories on Instagram? Whether you’re hoping to recover your own post or see what someone else shared and later removed, you’re not out of options. While Instagram doesn’t make it obvious, there are ways to retrieve or view expired or deleted stories — if you know where to look.
Here’s a practical breakdown of the three best methods you can use right now.
Check the Instagram Archive (for Your Own Stories)
If the story was posted from your account, your first stop should be the Archive feature inside the app. Since 2018, Instagram automatically archives stories once they disappear from your public profile. Unless you’ve turned this feature off, you’ll find your old content stored privately within your account.
To access it, go to your profile, tap the menu icon in the top-right corner, and select “Archive.” Make sure you’re viewing the Stories Archive tab. From there, you can scroll through everything you’ve ever shared — including content that expired after 24 hours or was deleted.
This archive includes the ability to reshare, save, or add the story to a Highlight. If nothing appears, head to your settings under: Settings > Privacy > Story and make sure the “Save to Archive” option is turned on for the future.
If the story belongs to someone else, this method won’t help. But there are still some workarounds worth trying.
Search Your Phone’s Photo Backups
Even if the story wasn’t archived by Instagram, there’s a good chance the original file still exists on your phone. Many users capture stories using their device’s camera or photo editing app before uploading them to Instagram. That means the image or video might still be saved to your gallery, iCloud, or Google Photos account.
On Android, open Google Photos and search using relevant keywords like “Instagram” or scroll to the date when the story was posted. Check folders like Videos, Screenshots, or Instagram.
On iPhone, open the Photos app and look under Albums. Explore sections like Recently Deleted, Videos, or any folder associated with Instagram. You can also use the search bar to look up terms like “Story” or dates to narrow things down.
This approach works especially well if you created a story and deleted it shortly after — without relying on Instagram’s archive feature.
Use a Third-Party Tool to View Someone Else’s Deleted Story
If the deleted story belongs to someone else and you didn’t get a chance to view it before it disappeared, your only realistic option is a third-party tool. One of the most reliable and discreet options is Private Story Viewer, a browser-based platform that lets you view stories without logging into Instagram — and without being seen.
Private Story Viewer works by scanning public Instagram profiles (and some private ones) to provide access to content that’s no longer available through the app. You don’t need to install anything or enter your Instagram credentials. Just head to the website, enter the username, and start browsing.
This tool is useful for a variety of situations — whether you’re monitoring influencer content, tracking brand mentions, or simply want to stay anonymous while keeping up with someone’s posts. It also allows you to download stories, photos, and highlights directly to your device for safekeeping.
What makes it stand out is its clean interface, cross-device support, and zero-login requirement. It doesn’t offer access to permanently deleted content, but it can help you revisit stories that recently expired or were removed from public view.
Why This Matters
People use tools like Private Story Viewer or photo backups for all kinds of reasons. Content creators might need access to expired promotions for performance tracking. Small business owners could lose a story that was tied to a product launch.
Followers might miss an update that only stayed live for a short window. Even journalists sometimes reference deleted Instagram stories as part of their reporting.
In most cases, it’s about staying informed, recovering meaningful content, or just catching up on something that disappeared too quickly.
Conclusion
Understanding how to see deleted stories on Instagram doesn’t have to be complicated. If it’s your own content, start with the Archive. If you deleted it early, check your device’s photo backups. And if the story came from someone else’s account, a tool like Private Story Viewer can help you catch what you missed.
Instagram stories may be designed to be temporary — but with the right tools and steps, you can make them last longer than 24 hours.
