SRINAGAR: Instagram has officially discontinued support for end-to-end encrypted direct messages on its platform, according to an update published on its Help page on Friday.
The platform said the feature ceased to function after 8 May 2026 and users affected by the change would receive instructions on how to save messages and media files from encrypted chats.
“If you have chats that are affected by this change, you will see instructions on how you can download any media or messages that you may want to keep,” the company stated, adding that some users may need to update the application before accessing the download option.
End-to-end encryption is a security feature designed to ensure that only the sender and recipient can read messages or access calls, preventing third parties, including the platform itself, from viewing conversations.
Explaining how the feature worked, Instagram said messages in encrypted chats were locked on the sender’s device before being transmitted.
The company, however, did not specify the reasons behind the decision to end encrypted messaging support on the platform.
