To share a memory on Instagram, open your profile, tap the menu, go to Archive, open the old story or post you want, and tap Share, then choose to add it to your story. This only works for stories saved to your Archive, so check that archiving was switched on at the time you posted. The steps are the same on iPhone and Android.
Memories on Instagram aren't a separate app or a hidden feature you have to hunt for. They're old stories and posts that Instagram keeps for you, and sometimes reminds you about with a notification. Once you know where they live, bringing one back takes under a minute.
What Instagram Memories are
When people talk about memories on Instagram, they usually mean one of two things.
- Your Archive, which is a private folder of your old stories that only you can see. Stories disappear from view after 24 hours, but they stay in your Archive if the setting is on.
- On this day, a reminder that shows something you shared on the same date in a past year. When you see it in your notifications, you can usually open it and share it again.
If you've ever wondered where your old stories go, my guide to whether Instagram saves old story memories explains it in more detail. The short answer is that they're saved only if archiving was on.
Check that your archive is switched on first
This step takes half a minute and saves a lot of disappointment later. Without it, new stories vanish for good after they expire.
- Open Instagram and go to your profile.
- Tap the menu icon (the three lines in the top corner).
- Open Settings and activity, then look for Archiving and downloading.
- Switch on the option to save your story to the archive.
Instagram renames menus now and then. If you can't see a word I've used, open the search box at the top of Settings and type 'archive'. It'll take you to the right place.
How to share a memory to your story on iPhone and Android
The route is almost the same on both phones. A few buttons sit in slightly different spots, but you'll recognise them.
Share an old story
- Go to your profile and tap the menu icon.
- Tap Archive. If Instagram asks which archive, choose Stories archive.
- Find the day you want and tap the story to open it.
- Tap Share at the bottom, or the three dots and then Share, depending on your version.
- Choose the option to add it to your story. On Android you may need to scroll the sharing sheet to see it.
- Add a sticker, text or a music clip if you like, then post it.
A small difference between iPhone and Android
On iPhone you'll usually use a swipe from the left edge of the screen to go back. On Android you'll use the back gesture or the back button of your phone. The steps themselves don't change.
Share a memory from the notification
If Instagram sends you an on this day reminder, tap it. You should see the old photo or video with a button to share it. If you tap it later and it's gone from your notifications, go back to your Archive and find it there.
Sharing an old post or an old story
People often mix these up, so here's the quick difference.
| Old story | Old post or reel | |
|---|---|---|
| Where to find it | Archive, then Stories archive | Your profile grid, or Archive if you archived it |
| How to share it | Open it, tap Share, add it to your story | Open it, tap the paper plane, choose Add to story |
| What your followers see | The story as it looked, or as a post | The post as a sticker-style card on your story |
| Good for | Throwbacks and anniversaries | Reminding people about something you shared on your grid |
When you add an old post to your story, followers can tap it to open the original. That makes it a nice way to point people back to something that did well.
A tip I like: add a short line of text such as the year, so people know it's a throwback. It gives the memory some context and invites replies from friends who were there.
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Who can see the memory you share
A memory is a normal story once you post it, so the usual audience rules apply. By default it goes to everyone who can see your stories. If you'd rather keep it for a smaller group, you can post it to your Close Friends list. I explain what the green star means in my guide to the Close Friends star.
If there's one person you don't want to see it, such as an ex or a colleague, you can hide the story from specific people before or after posting. My post on how to hide an Instagram story from specific people walks through it.
It's also worth thinking about who is in the memory. If a friend appears in the photo, it's kind to message them first, and it avoids awkward moments.
Memories not showing? Try these fixes
- Check that archiving was on. If it wasn't, Instagram has no copy of the story, and I'm sorry to say it can't be brought back.
- Update the Instagram app from the app store. Older versions can miss features.
- Look in the right place. Stories live in the Stories archive, and posts you hid live in the Posts archive. They're separate folders.
- Check Recently deleted. If you deleted something, it may still be there for a limited time.
- Log out and back in, or restart your phone. It sounds simple, but it clears many small glitches.
- Check you're on the right account. If you use more than one, the memory may be in the other profile.
- Wait a day. On this day reminders appear only on the matching date and aren't guaranteed for every account.
If none of that helps, clear the app's cache on Android from your phone settings, or delete and reinstall the app on iPhone. Your account data is stored on Instagram's servers, so you won't lose your archive by doing this.
I keep every related walkthrough in the Instagram Help: 81 Guides to Followers, Hashtags, Money, Accounts and Fixes.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Instagram Memories?
Your old stories live in your Archive. Open your profile, tap the menu, then Archive, and choose Stories archive. On this day reminders also show up in your notifications when you have one.
Can I share a memory to my story on Android?
Yes. Open the old story from your Archive, tap Share, and choose to add it to your story. The steps match the iPhone, though a few buttons sit in different spots.
Why can't I find my old stories?
They're only kept if archiving was switched on when you posted them. Check Settings and activity, then Archiving and downloading, and also look at Recently deleted.
Can I share a memory with only Close Friends?
Yes. When you reach the sharing screen, choose Close Friends instead of Your story, or hide the story from certain people in the story settings.
