When it comes to crafting that perfect Instagram post—the one with the stunning photo, the clever caption, and just the right hashtags – mishaps can happen. A sudden phone call, an app crash, or struggling to find the right words can make your meticulously crafted post disappear into the digital abyss. The good news? Your work isn’t lost forever. Instagram saves all your drafts in the background, even if you don’t hit ‘save’. Let’s find out how you can find drafts on Instagram.
The problem? Instagram doesn’t make it obvious how to find your drafts again. The option is buried in menus most people don’t even realize exist!
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to recover your lost drafts, step-by-step. You’ll learn how to find drafted posts, stories, reels, and more on Instagram. We’ll also share pro tips for saving drafts so you never lose your work again. Let’s get started!
How to Save an Instagram Draft?
Saving your Instagram post as a draft for future posting is simple.
- Log in to Instagram.
- Look for the plus sign ‘+’ at the bottom or side of the screen. (This menu might look slightly different on the computer or your app version, but don’t worry; the core functions are the same)
- Tap the plus sign, and you’ll see a menu with different ways to create something new (post, story, or reel). Choose the Post option. This is your key to creating new content, and guess what? It’s also the gateway to your hidden drafts!
- Click on Next after you choose your desired image. Press on the Edit option to modify your image.
- Click on the “X” sign to make the Save Draft option visible. Choose the Save Draft option and save your draft.
- This is the way to save a draft post on Instagram. Follow the same steps to save reels and stories too.
Where Did My Saved Drafts Disappear?
Before we find drafts on Instagram, let us address a common concern- disappearing drafts. The option is buried in menus most people don’t even realize exist! Let’s help you find drafts on Instagram.
Finding drafts (posts, stories, and reels) on Instagram is easier than you think.
Find Drafts on Instagram- Posts
1. Launch the Instagram App
- Launch the Instagram app and make sure you’re logged in.
- Look for the plus sign ‘+’ at the bottom of the screen.
2. Explore the Creative Options
- Tap the plus sign, and you’ll see a menu with different ways to create something new (post, story, or reel). Choose the Post option.
3. Find the Drafts Tab (Your Secret Weapon)
- Look towards the middle of the screen. You should see a tab labeled ‘Drafts’, next to ‘Recent Tab. This is your secret weapon for finding your unfinished masterpieces!
4. See Your Saved Ideas!
- Tap the ‘Drafts’ tab. You’ll see all your saved draft posts neatly organized in one place. Now you can revisit those unfinished ideas and bring them to life!
Finding Drafts on Instagram– Reels
- Log in to the Instagram app.
- Click on the + sign to display the menu to create different types of Instagram content such as Posts, Reels, and Stories.
- Choose the Reels option. You can see your saved reels when you click on the Drafts tab on the top.
Finding Drafts on Instagram– Stories
- Log in to the Instagram app.
- Click on the + sign to display the menu to create different types of Instagram content such as Posts, Reels, and Stories.
- Choose the Stories option. If you have saved Story drafts previously, you can see the Draft option at the top of the gallery screen. Click on any Story draft. You can edit it further or publish it.
Please note that Story Drafts are automatically deleted after the number of days shown on them. So, ensure to manage these appropriately to avoid losing your saved content.
How to Manage Your Instagram Drafts?
Drafts are arranged chronologically, with the most recently saved draft appearing at the top. You can’t directly create a new post or story from the Drafts tab.
Tapping on any option within Drafts will take you to the corresponding editing screen (the post-creation screen for draft posts and the story editing screen for draft stories), where you can continue working on your draft.
Finding your drafts is just the first step. Here’s how to manage them effectively:
- Editing and Refining: Did you find a draft post with a great caption but realize the photo needs a touch-up? No problem! Tap the ‘Edit’ button next to the draft. This allows you to revisit your creation, make edits, and perfect it before sharing it with the world.
- Discarding What No Longer is Required: Maybe you started a story about your morning coffee but got sidetracked by a cat video (we’ve all been there). If a draft no longer aligns with your vision, tap the three dots (…) next to it. A menu will pop up, and you can select ‘Discard’ to remove the draft.
- Sharing Your Outcome with the World (For Posts): Once you’ve edited your draft post to perfection, you’re ready to share it! Tap the ‘Next’ button. This will take you to the final sharing screen, where you can add captions, tags, and location details before hitting the ‘Share’ button.
Pro Tip: Regularly cleaning out your drafts helps keep things organized and ensures you’re only holding onto content you plan to share.
Tips to Follow When Using Instagram Drafts
Follow these tips to make the most out of Instagram drafts:
You can practice these tips to make your work easier while finding drafts on Instagram. However, some of these features might not be available on certain versions of the Instagram app.
1. Search within Drafts
Some newer versions of Instagram might offer a search function within the Drafts section. This can be helpful if you have a lot of saved drafts. You can search using a specific keyword from the caption or the text in stories or reels.
2. Organize Your Drafts
You might have the option to organize your drafts. You can effectively sort similar drafts into different folders by theme, project, or urgency.
3. Consider Third-Party Apps
Though not recommended or supported by Instagram, you can use some third-party apps that claim to offer enhanced draft management features. However, it’s important to use only trusted apps with strong security practices as these apps gain access to your Instagram data.
4. Drafts Aren’t Permanent
It’s best practice to regularly review your drafts and delete any you no longer need to prevent your gallery from being cluttered.
5. Using the Bookmark Option
Instagram’s bookmark feature is a handy way to keep all your drafts organized in one place. When you save a draft, you can bookmark it by tapping the ribbon icon in the top right corner.
This collects all your drafts into a private folder that only you can access. To view your bookmarked drafts, tap the bookmark icon in the top right of your profile. You can categorize all your drafts under various bookmark folders. Bookmarking drafts makes it easy to quickly review all your works-in-progress in one tidy spot before publishing.
6. Use the Draft Option Effectively
Drafts are a powerful tool for content creators who juggle multiple projects or face frequent interruptions. Utilize drafts to capture ideas on the go, come back and refine them later, and schedule them for optimal posting times.
By following these tips and familiarizing yourself with the location of your drafts, you can access your drafts effortlessly. This ensures your creative flow on Instagram remains uninterrupted and your ideas are never lost again.
Pro Tip: Use Bookmarks
Instagram’s bookmark feature is a handy way to keep all your drafts organized in one place. When you save a draft, simply add it to your Bookmarks by tapping the ribbon icon in the top right corner.
This collects all your drafts into a private folder that only you can see. To view your bookmarked drafts, tap the bookmark icon in the top right of your profile.
The best part is you can create bookmark folders to categorize your drafts. For example, make an ‘Outfit Inspo’ folder for your fashion posts, or a ‘Vacay Vibes’ folder for your upcoming trip.
Bookmarking drafts makes them easy to revisit when inspiration strikes again. And you can quickly review all your works-in-progress in one tidy spot before publishing.
Publishing Your Drafts
Once you’ve found your drafted posts, stories, or reels, it’s time to get them out into the world! Here are some tips for finalizing and publishing your drafts:
Review and Edit
Give your drafts a final read-through and edit typos or make last-minute tweaks.
Add Relevant Hashtags
If you didn’t add hashtags initially, now is the time to research relevant tags to help get discovered.
Use Predis.ai’s Hashtag Generator to create relevant and engaging reels for free!
Tag people
Tag friends, brands, locations, or creators relevant to your post.
Check Formatting
Instagram can mess up line breaks and formatting when you save creatives as drafts. So, adjust line spacing or captions as needed.
Schedule your Posts
Schedule a specific date and time you want your post to go live. Scheduling ahead helps to plan your feed.
You can use AI-based social media content schedulers to ease your work.
Cross-Post If Needed
Use a social media management tool to easily cross-post your Instagram drafts to Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Preview Before You Post
Get feedback from friends when you share a preview of your draft privately or to your story.
Hit Publish
When ready, tap the “Share” button to publish your draft to your feed or story.
Note: There’s no separate section for draft stories within the Drafts tab. They’ll be displayed alongside your draft posts.
Key Takeaways
Mastering draft-finding on Instagram equips you with a powerful tool to elevate your content creation experience:
- Draft-Finding Pro: By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be a draft-finding pro in no time!
- A Powerful Tool: The Drafts feature is more than just a storage space; it’s a valuable asset for managing your creative workflow.
- Experiment and Save: Don’t be afraid to experiment with ideas on Instagram. Utilize drafts to capture your fleeting thoughts and inspirations, and never lose sight of a brilliant concept.
By mastering these steps, you’ll be an expert at locating drafts on Instagram. This feature is a powerful tool to streamline your content creation process.
Predis.ai offers a powerful reel maker and Instagram post-maker tool that can help you create professional-looking content in minutes. Explore Predis.ai today and see how easy it is to plan, design, and schedule your Instagram content—all while keeping your drafts organized and readily accessible. So keep experimenting, save your drafts as needed, and never let a brilliant idea slip away.
If you’re planning to generate Instagram posts with the help of AI, check out Predis.ai Instagram post maker. With us, you can bring your creative visions to life effortlessly, ensuring that every post is polished and captivating.
