How to Archive Posts on Instagram (and Bring Them Back)

Archiving is Instagram's way of letting you tidy your profile without throwing anything away. A post you archive disappears from your grid, but it stays on your account, and you can bring it back later. It's handy for an old campaign, a post that no longer fits your brand or a photo you're not sure about yet. I've followed Instagram's own help articles on archiving posts and stories for this guide. Menus vary by app version, so the icons and labels on your phone may differ a little.

What archiving a post on Instagram does

According to Instagram's help pages, archiving removes a post from your profile without deleting it. Archived posts keep their likes and comments, and they can go back on your profile in their original place.

Action	What happens to the post	Can you undo it?
Archive	Hidden from your profile, kept on your account with its likes and comments	Yes, you can show it on your profile again
Delete	Removed from your account	Not through the archive
Hide like count	Stays visible, but others can't see the like count	Yes

If you're only unsure whether you want a post visible, archiving's the safer choice. If you're worried about likes rather than visibility, hiding the like count is a separate setting that leaves the post on your profile.

How to archive a post on Instagram, step by step

These are the steps in Instagram's help article called Archive a post you've shared on Instagram.

1. Go to your profile.
2. Tap the post you'd like to archive.
3. Tap the three-dot menu in the top right of the post.
4. Select Archive.

Instagram also has a help article for archiving several posts at once. If you've got a lot to clear, search the Help Centre for Archive multiple posts at once that you've shared on Instagram and follow the steps for your device.

Where to find your Instagram archive

The help article on where to see content you've archived puts the archive in your profile menu.

1. Go to your profile.
2. Open the menu using the icon in the top corner.
3. Tap Archive.
4. Use the dropdown at the top to switch between Stories archive and Posts archive.

The menu icon sits in different corners depending on the device and app version, so look for it near the top of your profile if it's not where you expect.

How to unarchive an Instagram post

Instagram calls this showing the post on your profile again. Its help article gives these steps for the iPhone app.

1. Go to your profile and open the menu.
2. Under How you use Instagram, tap Archive.
3. Choose Posts archive from the dropdown at the top.
4. Tap the post you want to bring back.
5. Tap the three-dot menu in the top right, then select Show on profile.

The help page says the post returns to its original place in your grid, so it won't jump to the top as a new post.

How the Instagram stories archive works

Stories behave differently from posts. Instagram's help page says stories you create and share are saved to your Stories archive automatically, so you don't need to download them. Only you can see archived stories, unless you choose to share them.

• To turn the Stories archive off, open Settings and look for the Save story to archive option. Instagram describes slightly different menu paths for desktop and mobile, so check what your Settings screen shows.
• If you turn it off, stories you share from then on are deleted after 24 hours.
• You can archive a story before its 24 hours are up: tap Options on the story, then tap Archive.
• To save an archived story to your phone, open the story in your archive, tap Options, then choose Save photo or Save video.

The help page also notes that the Stories archive isn't available for every account. If you want to find an older story, see my guide on how to unarchive an old Instagram story. And if you'd rather limit who sees a live story, here's how to hide an Instagram story from specific people.

Archive, delete or hide: which should you choose?

• Archive when you want a post off your profile but might want it back.
• Delete when you're sure you'll never need it.
• Hide the like count when the post can stay visible but the numbers are a distraction.
• Use the Stories archive when you want a private record of every story.

For a business account, archiving's useful for tidying a grid before a launch or retiring posts that mention old offers. You'll keep the engagement history, which is worth having if you want to reuse the idea later.

If you can't find the Archive option

• Update the app, because menus vary by app version.
• Check you're logged in to the right account.
• Look in the three-dot menu of the post itself, not the profile settings.
• For stories, check whether Save story to archive has been switched off.
• Search the Instagram Help Centre for the article titles mentioned above.

If you also use Facebook, archived content works differently there, and I've written about how to find archived Facebook posts.

Frequently asked questions

Does archiving a post delete it?

No. Instagram's help pages say archiving removes it from your profile without deleting it, and the likes and comments are kept.

Can anyone see my archived posts?

Archived posts are removed from your profile. Instagram says archived stories are visible only to you unless you share them.

Will an unarchived post go back to the same place?

Yes. Instagram says the post returns to its original place in your grid.

Are stories archived automatically?

Yes, by default. Instagram says stories you share are saved to your Stories archive, and you can turn the setting off.

Can I archive Reels or live videos?

I only confirmed the steps for feed posts and stories, so check Instagram's Help Centre for other formats on your account.