How to Export Instagram DMs

Whether you need the entire DM archive or just last weekend's story replies, these workflows capture everything Lucen needs—no sketchy third-party logins required.

Prefer screenshots or a quick screen recording? Lucen can transcribe visuals into text automatically, so even if Instagram hides parts of the export, you still get a complete conversation transcript for analysis.

Option 1: Download your information (full export)

• Step 1

  Open Instagram → Settings & privacy → Accounts Center → Your information and permissions → Download your information.

• Step 2

  Select Instagram, choose “Some of your information,” pick “Messages,” and set the date range.

• Step 3

  Choose JSON format (most complete) and hit “Create files.” Instagram emails you a download link.

• Step 4

  Unzip the file; your DMs live inside messages/inbox/. Upload the relevant thread folder (JSON + media) to Lucen.

Pro tip: JSON exports are easier for Lucen to parse than HTML exports, and they preserve vanish mode flags.

Option 2: Screenshots or screen recordings (fast)

• Step 1

  Open the DM thread and scroll to the start of the time period you care about.

• Step 2

  Capture overlapping screenshots (Power + Volume Up on iOS, Power + Volume Down on most Androids).

• Step 3

  Include story reply bubbles and reactions—even if they look repetitive, Lucen uses them to score effort.

Handling vanish mode & unsent messages

• If vanish mode is enabled, exit vanish mode before scrolling so screenshots show the content.
• If something already disappeared, write a quick recap (who said what + approximate time) and upload it alongside screenshots.
• Voice notes can be saved manually before they expire—tap and hold, then hit “Save.”

FAQ