Account backup
How to open an Instagram export in HTML or JSON
Extract the downloaded archive before opening individual files. HTML is designed for browsing; JSON is designed for structured processing and can look confusing in a basic text editor.
Extract the whole package
Move the downloaded archive into its permanent account-backup folder, make a second copy, then extract one working copy. Keep the folder structure intact because the index and media paths may depend on files staying in their original relative locations.
On macOS or Windows, the built-in archive tool is usually enough. If extraction reports an error, download the package again before trying a collection of repair utilities.
Browse an HTML export
Look for the main index or start file and open it in a current browser. The pages are local files, so an address beginning with file: is expected. Follow the navigation to posts, comments, messages, profile information, and other categories included in your request.
A browser may block some links or previews when files were moved separately. Return the files to the extracted folder structure rather than uploading the archive to an unknown viewer.
Inspect JSON without changing it
Open JSON in a text editor that can format structured data, or import a copy into a script or database. Work on a duplicate so accidental formatting or encoding changes do not alter the archive copy.
JSON records may point to media elsewhere in the package. Search for a known caption, username, or date to learn the structure before writing a bulk transformation. Treat message and profile records as private data.
| Problem | Check first |
|---|---|
| Links do not open | Confirm the folder structure was preserved |
| Text looks like code | You probably requested JSON |
| Media seems missing | Check the selected information types and media-quality choice |
| Archive will not extract | Download a fresh copy before using repair software |
Sources checked
Menu names can change as Instagram updates its apps.