Following Meta’s announcement to discontinue end-to-end encrypted chats on Instagram starting May 8, 2026, it has become essential for users who want to preserve their old conversations to follow practical steps to save a copy of their data. Fortunately, the company provides easy-to-use tools to download a complete copy of messages and associated media.
1. Steps to Download Your “Data Copy” from the App
To save your encrypted messages, you can request a file containing all your chats by following these steps:
- Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
- Tap the three lines (menu) in the top corner.
- Select Accounts Center.
- Go to Your Information and Permissions.
- Choose Download Your Information.
- Tap Download or Transfer Information, and select your Instagram account.
- Choose Specific Types of Information and make sure Messages is selected.
2. Recommended File Settings
To ensure easy access and readability of your messages, use the following settings when requesting the file:
- File format: Choose HTML to open messages as regular web pages on your phone or computer.
- Media quality: Choose High if you want to preserve photos and videos sent in encrypted chats.
- Time range: Select All time to ensure no old messages are lost.
3. After Downloading
Once the file is ready, which may take several hours to two days, you will receive an email containing a download link:
- Important: The link is valid for 4 days only for security reasons, so make sure to download the file immediately upon receiving the notification.
Warning: After May 8, 2026, encrypted chats will no longer be available in the same format, and associated media may be lost if not saved manually.
Additional Tip
To prevent losing your regular messages in the future, enable the automatic backup feature, which ensures all conversations are saved periodically without manual intervention.