How to request and download your Instagram data

If you use Instagram – which is owned by Meta, the same company that owns Facebook – the app is always gathering data about you.

What data does Instagram collect?

Instagram collects data on just about everything you do on the app – posts you view, like, and comment on, and how you interact with its targeted ads. 

If you want to see exactly the data the company has on you, you can request a file containing the data attached to your account. This data can be very insightful and help you understand the way your Instagram feed operates based on all the data it’s collected about you.

Should you request your Instagram data?

Instagram uses your data to show you content it thinks will keep you scrolling on the app and ads that will tempt you to spend money. When you download your data, you can see all the data Instagram collects (it’s a lot) and become more aware of how the algorithm uses your data to get you to engage with it more. 

Instagram allows you to access your data in either a JSON or HTML format. Both types are generally user-friendly and will show you the same data.  I requested the HTML version and found the file to be very straightforward.

To request the downloadable file, you will need to know your Instagram username and password. 

How to request your Instagram data:

1. Click the icon with three horizontal lines in the corner of your screen.
2. Click Your Activity.
   

   Photo by Maya Zhan | TPIN

3. Scroll to the bottom and click Download Your Information.
   

   Photo by Maya Zhan | TPIN

4. Click Download or transfer information.
   
   

   Photo by Maya Zhan | TPIN

5. Select what you would like to download. You can choose to download only certain parts of your profile, like only your photos and messages, or you can download a complete copy, which will provide you with all of your data.
   

   Photo by Maya Zhan | TPIN

6. Select whether you would like to download your data to your own device, or to another service.
   

   Photo by Maya Zhan | TPIN

7. Verify that the email Instagram has on file is correct. Select between an HTML or JSON format for your data (both are user-friendly and readable by most devices). Select the media quality and the date range of the data you are downloading. Click Create Files.
   

   Photo by Maya Zhan | TPIN

It may take up to 30 days to receive the email with the link to the file containing your data. Once you get it, you can open it and save it to your computer and always have access. According to Instagram, typically 2.5GB of space is needed to download and store your data, though file size is dependent on the types of information and media quality you select. I purchased a cheap flash drive, and put all of my social media data on there. Note that once you get the email from Instagram, you only have 4 days to download your data.

If you are having trouble requesting your data, or don’t have the password to access your account, you can visit Meta’s help center, where you can make a case under the Privacy Rights section to receive assistance in accessing your data.

Read: What to know about Threads’ data privacy policy