Instagram year in review from your data download
Instagram's data download is a .zip of small data files. Year in review reads those files to count your likes, comments, messages and posts for the year. Request the export in the Instagram app, choose JSON, and choose the .zip once Instagram emails you the link. The photos and videos are never opened, and the cards show counts, not what anyone wrote.
Steps
- In the Instagram app, go to Settings, then Accounts Center, then Your information and permissions. Choose "Export your information". Instagram sometimes renames this, so look for something close to it.
- Choose Create export, pick your account, and choose Export to device.
- If it asks, choose JSON, not HTML. Choose Low quality, and choose the last year. If a new year has started and you want the year that just ended, choose "All time" when it is offered.
- If it lets you choose what to include, pick likes, comments, messages, story interactions and your posts.
- Wait for Instagram's email with the download link. It usually arrives within a day, sometimes longer. The link expires after a few days, so download it soon.
- Open https://oddbits.tech/year-in-review/ and choose the Instagram tab. Choose the .zip file, or the files if Instagram sent several. You do not need to unzip it.
Do it here: Make your Instagram cards. Open the Instagram tab on that page and choose your .zip.
What this does not do
- It does not open the photos or videos in the export.
- It does not show message text, comments or captions.
- Friend names show on the cards by default. Hide or rename anyone before you save or share.
- It reads only the small data files it needs. The rest of the export stays unread.
Questions
What does it read from the export?
A few small data files: the times of your likes, stories watched, comments, posts, reels and stories. It also reads the times and senders of your messages, the reactions to them, and your profile name and username, so it can tell your messages from theirs. Your blocked list is used to keep blocked accounts off the friends card. None of this is uploaded. The only names on the cards are the friend names described below.
Are friend names shown?
Yes, by default. The friends card shows the names as they are in your export. You can hide or rename anyone before you save or share.
The email with the link has not arrived. What now?
Wait. Instagram usually sends it within a day, sometimes longer. If the link has expired, request the export again.
Odd Bits is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Instagram or Meta. Instagram is named only to say which export this reads. No logos or artwork are used.