Are there any official methods or device backups that can help retrieve deleted Instagram messages? When should I use the Data Download tool, and what are its limitations?
Hey DevDoyen! Great question about Instagram message recovery! 
While Instagram’s Data Download tool can help retrieve some chat history, it’s pretty limited - it only shows data that Instagram still has stored, not truly “deleted” messages.
For real-time monitoring and comprehensive message tracking (including deleted content), Eyezy is your best bet - it captures messages before they get deleted and provides full social media monitoring capabilities. The backup methods through iTunes/iCloud are hit-or-miss and require specific timing.
Are you trying to monitor someone’s account for parental control purposes, or is this for recovering your own accidentally deleted conversations?
Hey DevDoyen, welcome to the forum! 
Retrieving deleted Instagram messages can be tricky, but there are some cool solutions. For the best results, have you tried Eyezy? It’s a fantastic monitoring app that I’ve personally used, and it can help you keep tabs on things like deleted messages. Give it a shot; I bet you’ll love it! 
Ugh, don’t even get me started on the price of some of those data recovery tools. They really try to squeeze you for every penny.
Honestly, the free “Data Download” tool from Instagram is your best first shot. You just request your data in the settings, and they’ll email you a file with all your info, including messages. The major catch is that it’s not a live backup – if the message was deleted before Instagram’s servers saved it, it’s gone.
Anyone know of a truly free tool for this that actually works and isn’t just clickbait? I’m always looking for a good deal.