Alex Ruben
How To View the First Message on Instagram Without Scrolling
Yeah, scrolling endlessly to find that one first message in your Instagram chat can be such a drag—especially if it’s a long convo. The thing is, Instagram doesn’t really make it obvious how to jump straight to the start, so people often end up wasting way too much time manually scrolling. Luckily, there are a few tricks and tools that can help you get there faster—whether you’re on Android or iPhone. This guide covers some practical options, from simple tips to using data downloads, so you can revisit that pivotal first chat line without pulling your hair out.
How to Access the First Message in Your Instagram Chats
Using the Scroll Feature ( manually, but slow)
First off, the old-fashioned way works, but don’t expect to zip straight to the top in long chats. Just tap and hold the chat thread and start scrolling upwards. Trust me, it can take forever, and on some longer conversations, it feels like an endless tunnel. If patience isn’t your forte, skip to the next methods for quicker wins.
Method 1: Using Auto-Scroll Apps (a bit flaky but sometimes works)
If you’re tired of the manual grind, some auto-scroll apps for Android (Google Play Store: AutoScroll or Scroll for Me) or iPhone (App Store) can do the work for you. These apps generally allow you to set a scrolling speed and let the app do the heavy lifting. Because of course, Instagram itself doesn’t have a built-in fast scroll option. After installing, you usually have to give the app accessibility permissions—it’s kinda weird, but it works on some phones.
Just keep in mind—on some setups, this method might be hit or miss. If it’s buggy or fails, try restarting your phone or toggling permissions. Sometimes, it’s just another example of how Android and iOS make things more complicated than they should.
Method 2: Tap the Notification Bar (on some devices, it tricks the scroll)
Not sure why it works, but on some Android devices, tapping the top of the screen—like pulling down the notification bar—while in the chat can force a quick scroll to the top or at least near it. It’s kind of weird, but worth a shot if manual scrolling is killing you. Just beware that it might not be super reliable across all phones or iOS, but it’s a quick thing to try without any downloads.
Method 3: Using the Search Function (fastest for specific keywords)
Probably the most reliable if you remember anything about that first message. Tap on the chat’s top bar where the person’s name is, then hit the search icon (magnifying glass). Enter keywords from your first message—like “hi” or a phrase you know you sent early on. Then, tap on the search results, and it might jump straight to that part of the thread. It’s not perfect, especially if your first message was vague or simple, but it saves hours of scrolling.
Method 4: Download Your Instagram Data (full archive access)
This is the heavy-duty route. If none of the above work, you can request all your messages from Instagram itself. Head over to Settings > Privacy & Security > Download Your Information. Here’s exactly how:
- Tap the burger menu (the three lines) on your profile at the top right.
- Scroll down, find Privacy & Security, then tap Download Your Information.
- Pick Instagram, then select “Messages” or just go with the full range (“All Time”) to get everything.
- Instagram might ask for your email verification, then you just wait. Data usually arrives in a few hours to a couple of days, depending on how busy they are.
Once you get the ZIP file, dig through the downloaded data (usually in a folder named “messages.json” or similar) to locate that first message. Yeah, it’s a bit of an extra step, but hey, it’s guaranteed if you’re determined enough.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
- Ensure your internet connection is rock solid when downloading the full data—nothing kills the process like flaky Wi-Fi.
- If auto-scroll apps aren’t working, check the app permissions—especially accessibility settings on Android or screen recording permissions on iOS.
- When searching, try different keywords—sometimes spelling or context can throw you off.
Wrap-up
Finding that first message doesn’t have to be the nightmare it used to be. Whether you go old school and scroll, or leverage some clever tricks like search or data downloads, there are options depending on how much time you’re willing to invest. Honestly, on a few of my setups, downloading the data was the only foolproof way—just takes a little patience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover deleted messages on Instagram?
Not really. Once you delete a message, it’s gone unless you downloaded all your data beforehand. No magic recovery, sadly.
Are there apps specifically made for searching Instagram messages?
Not really. Be cautious if you see third-party apps claiming they can do that—some aren’t legit and can compromise your account privacy.
What if searching still doesn’t find that first message?
Double-check your keywords, make sure there are no typos, and try different phrasings. Sometimes that first message was pretty obscure or sent long ago, so don’t get discouraged.
- Ensure a stable internet connection when requesting data.
- Try different search terms if the initial ones don’t work.
- Be prepared for some waiting if requesting your full data archive.
Fingers crossed, this helps save a ton of scrolling. It’s weird how Insta doesn’t make it easier, but these hacks at least give you options.