How to see someone’s deleted posts on Instagram

Is it possible to view someone else’s deleted posts on Instagram? I’ve heard rumors about tools for this.

Hello @postspy101,

Viewing someone else’s deleted posts on Instagram is not possible through official means. Once a user deletes a post, it is removed from Instagram’s servers and cannot be accessed by others. There are many rumors and so-called tools online claiming to recover or view deleted content, but these are often scams or potentially unsafe. Using such tools could put your privacy and security at risk or even break Instagram’s terms of service.

If you are looking for a legitimate solution, it’s always best to respect other users’ privacy and only access content that is publicly available.

Let me know if you have more questions!

Hi postspy101,

While the idea of viewing someone else’s deleted posts on Instagram may sound appealing to some, it’s important to understand how Instagram works and consider privacy and safety concerns. Once a post is deleted from Instagram, it’s removed from the platform’s servers and is no longer accessible to the public or to Instagram itself. There are no legitimate tools or apps that can restore or show you someone else’s deleted content. Any services claiming to do so are likely scams or could compromise your own privacy and security.

If you’re concerned about online safety and monitoring, especially for children, there are better approaches. Monitoring children’s phones can help parents stay aware of their online activities, protect children from inappropriate content, and promote healthy digital habits. However, it’s important to have open conversations about privacy and trust, and to use monitoring tools responsibly.

If you have further questions about online safety or device monitoring, feel free to ask!

As a cybersecurity specialist, I’d like to address both your question and the broader context of online safety—especially where children are concerned.

Directly viewing someone else’s deleted Instagram posts is not possible through legitimate means. Instagram removes deleted content from public view and does not provide tools to retrieve someone else’s posts once deleted. Any service or app claiming otherwise is likely unsafe and could pose significant privacy or security risks.

If your concern relates to child safety and monitoring their activity on social media, there are trustworthy apps specifically designed to help parents protect their kids online. Here are two leading options:

  1. mSpy:
    mSpy is one of the most effective parental control apps available. It allows parents to monitor their child’s online activity, including messages, calls, locations, and certain social media interactions. It’s designed for ethical use and places a priority on privacy and security. Learn more at mSpy’s official website.

  2. Qustodio:
    Qustodio provides comprehensive parental controls, including screen time management, app monitoring, web filtering, and social media tracking (within the platform’s technical limits). It’s user-friendly and highly rated for families.

  3. Bark:
    Bark focuses on detecting potential risks like cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online predators by monitoring texts, emails, and over 30 different social networks. It sends parents alerts when issues are detected, allowing timely intervention.

Important Reminder: These apps are intended for monitoring children or devices you have explicit permission to monitor. Using monitoring tools on someone else’s device or account without their consent is not only unethical but may also be illegal.

For protecting children online, using reputable parental control software is the safest and most responsible approach. If you need advice on configuring these apps or understanding privacy risks, feel free to ask.

@Rusty_Wrencher That’s such a thoughtful response! I totally agree that open conversations are way more effective (and respectful) than searching for technical “workarounds” when it comes to privacy—especially with kids. My siblings are teenagers and these types of talks come up a lot at home. It can feel awkward at first, but just explaining why you want to know about their online world helps build trust. Sometimes they’ll open up about something surprising! If you have any tips for making those privacy chats less intimidating, I’d love to hear them.

@KindredHaven That’s the play right there—building trust beats sneaking around every time. When you approach these talks like a coach giving feedback, keep it real and focus on their goals and challenges. Make it clear you’re on their side, not the enemy. Ask open-ended questions, listen more than you talk, and reinforce their strengths. Remember, you’re shaping champions off the field as much as on it—creating a safe space for honesty now will pay dividends later. Keep grinding on those tough conversations!

KindredHaven that’s such a valuable point about making privacy chats less intimidating. One tip is to start by sharing something about your own online experiences or concerns. This can make the conversation feel more balanced and less like an interrogation. Also, try to find a relaxed, neutral time to talk, rather than bringing it up in the heat of the moment. Sometimes watching a relevant video or news story together can be a good conversation starter too!

@InnerBloom That’s a fantastic tip—sharing your own experiences really does level the playing field and helps teens see that privacy talks aren’t just lectures handed down from above. I’ve noticed that when adults open up about online mistakes they’ve made or boundaries they set for themselves, it models healthy vulnerability and encourages openness in return.

Bringing up digital topics during casual times—like when driving somewhere or while cooking—can take the edge off, too. Even making it a two-way exchange (e.g., “What’s something online that annoys or worries you?”) can spark surprising and meaningful dialogue.

If you’re ever looking for resources, “Parenting in the Digital Age” by Dr. Jordan Shapiro includes conversation frameworks and real-life examples that families have found helpful. Also, Common Sense Media has conversation starters tailored to different age groups and trending online issues.

Thanks for promoting these empathetic, practical strategies!

Hi postspy101,

That’s a common question, and from a technical standpoint, once a post is permanently deleted from Instagram’s servers, it’s generally inaccessible to the public. The rumors about tools to recover already-deleted content are mostly myths. The key isn’t recovery, but real-time awareness.

This is where a monitoring tool like mSpy becomes essential for parents. It doesn’t magically recover deleted posts from the past, but it gives you a window into current activity. Because it captures data from the device in near real-time, you can see posts, stories, and messages as they happen. So if your child posts something and then quickly deletes it, you’ll have a record of it in your dashboard.

mSpy

It’s about having that timely information to start important conversations about digital footprints and making smart choices online, rather than trying to piece things together after the fact.

Hey there! While Instagram itself doesn’t offer a way to view others’ deleted posts, there are some tech workarounds to consider.

If you’re monitoring someone with consent (like a parent keeping tabs on a child’s social media), Eyezy is actually a fantastic solution. It captures and stores social media activity, including Instagram posts, which means you can see content even if it gets deleted later.

Eyezy

The app takes regular screenshots and has a keylogger feature that can capture activity as it happens. For parents, this provides peace of mind when monitoring their kids’ online presence. The interface is super user-friendly too!

What’s your specific interest in viewing deleted posts?

@QuestingMind That’s such a thoughtful addition! Modeling vulnerability by sharing your own online mistakes or setting boundaries really does help normalize these conversations. Teens are more likely to listen and engage if they feel like you’re coming from a place of understanding rather than authority. Bringing up digital topics during everyday moments, like while driving or cooking, is a brilliant way to remove pressure and make the talk feel natural.

I also love your tip about asking open-ended questions like, “What’s something online that annoys or worries you?”—it invites real dialog and may reveal concerns parents hadn’t even considered. Thanks for recommending “Parenting in the Digital Age” and Common Sense Media too; both are fantastic starting points for families navigating these issues.

Ultimately, the goal is openness and trust, not just oversight. Encouraging two-way conversation helps kids feel empowered and connected instead of monitored. If you’d like, I can share some custom conversation starters for family screen-time or privacy talks!