Instagram is more than just a photo-sharing app—it’s a digital scrapbook of your life. With the “Story Memories” feature, you can revisit your favorite moments, relive old adventures, and see how far you’ve come. But how do you actually see your old stories on Instagram? In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to access, view, and share your Instagram story memories, plus pro tips, troubleshooting, and answers to the most common questions.
For more Instagram story tips, check out Someone liked my story but didn’t view it.
What Are Instagram Story Memories?
Instagram Story Memories let you revisit the stories you’ve posted in the past—even after they’ve disappeared from your profile. Normally, stories vanish after 24 hours, but with the Archive and “On This Day” features, you can see, reshare, and enjoy your old stories anytime.
- Stories are saved in your private Archive (if enabled)
- “On This Day” shows you memories from the same date in previous years
- You can reshare, download, or add old stories to Highlights
Pro tip: Only you can see your story memories—unless you share them again!
Table: Instagram Story Memories Features & How to Use Them
| Feature | How to Access | What You Can Do |
|---|---|---|
| Archive | Profile > Menu > Archive | View, reshare, download, add to Highlights |
| On This Day | Archive > Calendar > On This Day | See memories from the same date in past years |
| Highlights | Profile > Highlights | Save favorite stories for public viewing |
How to See Story Memories on Instagram (Step-by-Step)
- Open Instagram and go to your profile (bottom right corner)
- Tap the three-line menu (top right) and select Archive
- By default, you’ll see your story archive—scroll to view all past stories
- Use the Calendar icon to jump to a specific date
- Tap any story to view, reshare, or add to Highlights
- Look for the “On This Day” section for memories from previous years
Note: If you don’t see the Archive, make sure it’s enabled in your settings.
How to Enable or Disable Instagram Story Archive
- Go to your profile and tap the menu (three lines)
- Tap Settings > Privacy > Story
- Scroll down to Saving and toggle Save story to Archive on or off
When enabled, all your stories are saved privately—even after 24 hours.
- Open the Archive and tap the story you want to reshare
- Tap the three dots (bottom right) and select Share as Story or Save Photo/Video
- Edit, add stickers, or text, and post as a new story
- Or, add the story to a Highlight for permanent display
Pro tip: You can’t edit archived stories directly—download and edit before reposting.
How to Use Instagram Stories for Memories & Business
Instagram Stories aren’t just for fun—they’re a powerful tool for personal branding, business, and community building. Here’s how to use stories and memories to your advantage:
- Share personal moments, milestones, and behind-the-scenes content
- Use stories to launch products, announce events, or run Q&A sessions
- Highlight customer testimonials and reviews
- Reshare old stories as “Throwback” or “On This Day” content
- Use polls, quizzes, and interactive stickers to boost engagement
- Save your best stories as Highlights for new followers to see
Common Issues: Why Can’t I See My Story Memories?
- Archive not enabled: Make sure “Save story to Archive” is turned on in settings
- App not updated: Update Instagram to the latest version
- Account issues: Log out and back in, or reinstall the app
- Stories deleted: If you deleted a story, it’s gone for good
- Feature not available: Some features (like “On This Day”) may not be available in all regions
- Go to Archive and find the story you want to share
- Tap the story, then tap the three dots and select Share as Story
- Add new stickers, text, or music to refresh the memory
- Post as a new story or add to Highlights
Pro tip: Use “On This Day” to reshare memories and engage your audience.
How Far Back Do Instagram Memories Go?
Instagram saves all your stories in the Archive (if enabled), so you can go back as far as your first story. There’s no time limit—unless you delete stories or disable the Archive.
- Stories stay in Archive forever (unless deleted)
- “On This Day” shows memories from previous years
- Highlights can be created from any archived story
How to Not See Memories on Instagram
If you don’t want to see “On This Day” memories:
- Ignore the notification or dismiss the memory
- There’s no official way to turn off memories, but you can delete old stories from Archive
- For privacy, review and delete any stories you don’t want to keep
Instagram Memories on This Day: How It Works
The “On This Day” feature shows you stories from the same date in previous years. It’s a fun way to revisit old memories and share throwbacks with your followers.
- Go to Archive > Calendar > On This Day
- Tap the memory to view or reshare
- Add stickers, text, or music to personalize your throwback
How to Analyze the Success of Your Instagram Stories
- Go to your profile and tap the menu (three lines)
- Tap Insights (for business/creator accounts)
- Check story views, engagement, and reach
- Compare performance of new vs. old stories
- Use data to improve your content strategy
FAQ: Instagram Story Memories
Can I look at past stories on Instagram?
Yes, if Archive is enabled, you can view all your past stories in the Archive section.
How to not see memories on Instagram?
You can ignore or dismiss “On This Day” notifications, or delete old stories from Archive.
How far back do Instagram memories go?
As far back as your first story—there’s no time limit if Archive is enabled.
Go to Archive, find the story, and tap “Share as Story” to repost it as a memory.
Can other people see my Instagram memories?
No, only you can see your story memories unless you reshare them or add them to Highlights.
Can I see who viewed my story after it disappeared?
You can see viewers for up to 48 hours, then the list disappears.
Is there a limit to saving stories?
No, you can save as many stories as you want in Archive.
Will Instagram stories help me gain more followers?
Yes, being active and posting stories regularly can help you attract more followers.
Can I use Instagram stories for special dates and announcements?
Absolutely! Stories are perfect for sharing important dates, events, and announcements.
Have you used Instagram story memories? Share your favorite throwback or tip in the comments below!
- When she sees your story but doesn’t reply
- Why do my story highlights keep disappearing?
- Why would someone hide their Instagram story from you?
Conclusion
Instagram story memories are a powerful way to revisit your favorite moments, share throwbacks, and track your journey. By enabling Archive, using “On This Day,” and resharing old stories, you can keep your memories alive and engage your audience. If you run into issues, check your settings, update your app, or use Instagram’s help resources. What’s your favorite Instagram memory? Share it in the comments—and check out our other guides for more Instagram tips and tricks!
