Open Instagram message_1.json as a readable chat.
View downloaded Instagram JSON messages locally, restore chronological order, and read the conversation without pasting private DMs into an online converter.
Open your archiveWhat is message_1.json?
When you request a JSON export, Instagram places each conversation inside a folder under messages/inbox. Long conversations may be divided into message_1.json, message_2.json, and additional numbered files.
Use the ZIP when possible
An individual JSON file contains message records but usually references photos, videos, GIFs, and audio by their relative file paths. Opening the original ZIP lets ChatMemo locate those files and combine every numbered part of the conversation.
How to open downloaded Instagram messages
Choose the original Instagram ZIP for the most complete result. If you only have one conversation file, ChatMemo also accepts message_1.json directly and presents its records as a chronological chat.
Common Instagram JSON problems
- The conversation looks incomplete
- Check for additional numbered message files, or open the original ZIP so all parts can be merged.
- An attachment does not open
- The JSON may have been separated from its media folders. Use the complete export ZIP.
- Names or characters look wrong
- Export encodings can produce escaped text. ChatMemo repairs common encoding artifacts while parsing.
Need a fresh export?
Follow the step-by-step export guide and choose JSON when Instagram asks for a format.