Instagram automatically saves your published Stories in a Story Archive so you can review, repost, download or add them to Highlights without taking screenshots
What is Story Archive
The Story Archive is a private collection where Instagram stores Stories after they expire from your public profile, preserving the original content, stickers and timestamps for only you to access.
How to access
Open your profile, tap the menu and choose Archive to see your Stories arranged chronologically. From there you can view any past Story, save it to your device or repost it to your Story or feed.
Repost and create Highlights
Archived Stories can be reshared as new Stories or added to Profile Highlights which keep chosen Stories visible on your profile indefinitely as curated collections.
Benefits and use cases
The Archive is useful for preserving memories, repurposing high-performing content, compiling event timelines and avoiding screenshots while retaining full-resolution assets and context for later use.
Settings and privacy
Story Archive is on by default but can be disabled in settings if you prefer Stories to disappear entirely after 24 hours. Archived content remains private and only accessible to the account owner unless reposted.
Tips
Use Archive to build Highlights that showcase your best content, regularly back up important media to your device, and review the Archive to find material for throwbacks, marketing or storytelling without losing the original context.