Open the chat where the disappearing photo was sent
Check the message before it expires, if it is still available
Ask the sender to resend the photo
Use Instagram’s “Keep in Chat” option if the sender allows it
Save the photo if Instagram gives you a save option
Check your device’s screenshots or screen recordings if you captured it before it disappeared
Look in your phone’s gallery or camera roll for any saved copy
Review your Instagram notifications if the photo preview appeared there
Check any linked backup apps or cloud backups on your device
If the photo was sent in Vanish Mode, exit Vanish Mode and ask the sender to send it again
Update Instagram to the latest version
Log out and log back into Instagram
Reinstall Instagram if the app is not showing messages correctly