Highlights
- Instagram will discontinue support for end-to-end encrypted direct messages after May 8, 2026.
- Impacted users will receive instructions to download their encrypted messages and media.
- Users wanting encrypted communication can continue using WhatsApp, which retains full end-to-end encryption.
(Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash)
Instagram has announced that it will soon discontinue support for end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) direct messages on the platform. In an update published on its support page, the company confirmed that the feature “will no longer be supported after May 8, 2026.”
The change means users who currently rely on encrypted conversations in Instagram DMs will need to save their messages and media before the deadline. Here are more details.
Users Will Be Able to Download Messages and Media
Meta said that people with chats affected by the change will receive instructions on how to download their data before the feature is removed. In a support page update, the company stated, “If you have chats that are impacted by this change, you will see instructions on how you can download any media or messages you may want to keep.”
The company also noted that users running an older version of the Instagram app may need to update it in order to download their encrypted messages or media files.
Instagram’s support documentation does not specify why the company decided to remove end-to-end encrypted DMs. However, in a statement shared with The Verge, a Meta spokesperson said that “very few people” were using the feature on Instagram. The spokesperson added that users who still want to communicate using end-to-end encryption can continue doing so on WhatsApp.
End-to-End Encrypted DMs on Instagram
End-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and the recipient can access messages or calls within a conversation. Each encrypted chat uses special security keys that participants can compare with each other to verify the connection.
When a message is sent in an end-to-end encrypted chat, it is locked on the sender’s device before being transmitted. The message can only be unlocked on a device that holds the corresponding encryption key. The same security process also applies to audio and video calls.
Because of this system, no one else can read the messages or listen to the calls, not even Meta, unless they have the specific encryption keys associated with that conversation.
Instagram has never rolled out end-to-end encryption to all users globally. Instead, the feature was available only to users in “some areas” and required them to opt in to use it.
Meta’s Changing Approach to Encryption
Meta’s stance on encryption has evolved several times over the past decade. In 2016, the company introduced end-to-end encryption for chats on WhatsApp. Three years later, it announced plans to extend encryption to all conversations across its platforms.
However, in 2021 the company said it would delay broader encryption features until 2023.
The latest decision also comes amid increasing concerns about the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online. By removing end-to-end encryption from Instagram DMs, Meta will be able to scan messages and calls for harmful content.
FAQS
Q1. When will Instagram discontinue end-to-end encrypted DMs?
Answer. Instagram has confirmed that end-to-end encrypted direct messages will no longer be supported after May 8, 2026.
Q2. Can users save their encrypted Instagram chats before the feature is removed?
Answer. Yes. Meta stated that affected users will receive instructions on how to download their messages and media before the feature is discontinued.
Q3. Why is Instagram removing end-to-end encrypted DMs?
Answer. Meta explained that very few people were using the feature on Instagram. Users who want encrypted communication can continue using WhatsApp, which retains full end-to-end encryption.