Account backup
How to export your Instagram information
Use Instagram's own export tool when you need a dependable copy of account data. You can send the export to your device or, where offered, transfer it to an external service.
Request the export in Accounts Center
Open Instagram settings, enter Accounts Center, then choose Your information and permissions. Select Export your information, Create export, and the profile you want to back up. Choose Export to device if you want a downloadable package.
The final screen lets you narrow the information, date range, format, notification email, and media quality. High-quality video makes the package much larger, so check free storage before starting. Meta says an export can take up to 30 days to prepare.
- Choose all available information for a full account backup.
- Choose a limited date range when you only need a recent project.
- Use high media quality when the export will be your long-term copy.
- Keep the notification email current so the ready notice reaches you.
Choose HTML or JSON for the job
HTML is easier to browse. Open its index file in a browser and follow the links between sections. JSON is structured data intended for software, scripts, or a future migration. It is less comfortable to read directly but easier to process in bulk.
If you are unsure, HTML is the practical choice for a personal archive. A creator or developer who expects to search captions, dates, or metadata programmatically may prefer JSON. Media files are stored separately from the index data in either case.
| Need | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Browse the archive yourself | HTML |
| Import or analyze structured records | JSON |
| Preserve original media | Select high media quality in either format |
Store more than one copy
Download the package before its availability window closes, extract it, and confirm that the folders open. Keep one working copy and one backup on a separate device or storage provider. Do not treat the download link or a single laptop as the archive.
The export is sensitive. It may include profile details, messages, comments, and other account history depending on your selection. Keep it out of public shared folders and delete temporary copies when you finish moving it.
Sources checked
- Meta: Review and export a copy of your Instagram information
- Meta: Permanently delete or deactivate your Instagram account
Menu names can change as Instagram updates its apps.