FAQ

Does the app restore messages back into Instagram?

No. It is a viewer for exported archive data.

Does the app need my original JSON files at runtime forever?

Not necessarily. A well-prepared export can rebuild SQLite and the inbox index, then remove source messages.json files if nothing at runtime depends on them.

Why use SQLite instead of searching raw JSON?

Because large archives become slow and awkward if every search has to scan hundreds of files repeatedly.

Can I host just a few conversations?

Yes. That is one of the main reasons the selective export flow exists.

Will the hosted platform store user DMs?

The recommended future model is no. The platform should store account metadata and, if the user opts in, a reference to their own hosted archive bundle rather than the archive contents themselves.

If a user provides a bundle URL, should it be public?

Prefer a private object store plus short-lived signed access over a permanently public URL.

Is database encryption enough?

Not on its own. Full-disk or database-level encryption protects infrastructure, but if your app can read the value plainly then operators with enough access can too. For sensitive bundle references, use application-layer encryption before writing them to the database.