Everything you need to know about using Instagram's archive feature

Hide those selfies.
 By 
Molly Sequin
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Instagram released its Archive feature in June, but you might not know what it's for or how to use it.

Archive lets you hide photos and videos from your profile without completely deleting them. That way, you can bring them back later if you want to do so.

Instagram phrases it as giving you the flexibility to represent how you evolve over time, but Archive is really just a way to hide embarrassing selfies or videos that didn't get enough likes. Because we've all seen the classic "felt cute, might delete later" post.

Here's everything you need to know about actually using Archive.

Archiving a photo is pretty simple. Just click on the post you want to archive. Go to the "..." menu in the upper righthand corner of the photo.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

When you're in the menu, one of the options will be "Archive." Choose this to hide the selected post from your feed.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Clicking "Archive" will send your selected posts into the Archive folder that isn't shown on your profile. You're the only one that can see anything living in this folder.

But don't worry, your archived photos and videos are super easy to find. Hit the little clock icon that sits in the upper righthand corner of your profile and all of your Archived photos will appear there.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

If you feel like bringing those posts back to your profile at any point, there's a way to do it. Click on the photo you want to repost in the Archive folder. Once again, hit the "..." menu above the photo. This time you'll want to choose "Show on Profile."

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

And just like that, your post is back to the chronological place in your profile! Archiving a photo won't take away any of the likes of comments it originally garnered, so it'll look as good as new if you choose to put it back on your feed.

There you have it. Archiving on Instagram sounds a little complicated, but it's actually quite simple. So, if you're feeling a little self-conscious about that selfie you posted earlier, take two seconds to hide it for a while if that's the best move.

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Molly Sequin

Molly is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While there, she studied life sciences communication and conservation biology. Molly has worked in multiple communications positions at UW and recently acted as a science intern at Business Insider in NYC. She is a lover of all things science and tech related, and is always ready to take on a new challenge. When Molly isn't writing, she fills her time training for IRONMAN events, acting as the unofficial #1 Wisconsin athletics fan, and trying as many new foods as her budget will allow.

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