Check sent follow requests through an Instagram export
Instagram does not provide a regular screen that lists every follow request you have sent. If you requested to follow a private account and it has not accepted yet, you need to request a copy of your Instagram information to see it.
The export includes a Pending follow requests file. You can use it to review accounts that are still waiting to approve your request, then cancel requests you no longer want.
This works from the Instagram app on an iPhone, Android phone, or Samsung phone. The export can take some time to prepare, so you may need to come back later after Instagram sends an email.
Video Tutorial
Request your Instagram information
- Open Instagram and go to your profile.
- Select the three lines in the top-right corner.
- Select Account Center.
- Choose Your information and permissions.
- Select Export your information.
- Choose Create export.
- Select your Instagram account.
- Choose Export to device.
Instagram will now let you choose what information to include in the download. Limiting the export to the information you need makes the file smaller and can help it become available sooner.
Set the date range and export only connections
First, select Date range. Choose a period that includes the time when you sent the follow requests you want to check. A wider date range can include older requests, but it may also make the export take longer to prepare.
Next, select Customize information. This is the important part. Under Your Instagram activity, clear the selected personal information. Under Connections, leave that category selected. Use Clear all so that connections is the only information selected, then choose Save.
With only connections included, select Start export. Instagram begins preparing the download.
There is no fixed wait time. The export may take up to a couple of hours. Instagram can email you when it is ready. You can also return to the export screen and check the Current activity area for its status.
Download and unzip the export
When the export is available, select Download, then select Download again to confirm. Instagram downloads a ZIP file to your phone. You may be asked to change the file name before it saves.
- Open the Files app on your phone.
- Open Downloads or Recent downloads.
- Find the Instagram ZIP file you downloaded.
- Select the ZIP file to unzip it.
- Open the newly created folder.
If you do not see the file immediately, check the Downloads folder again and look for the recent Instagram download. The exact file name can vary, but it is the ZIP file created by the export process.
Open your pending follow requests list
Inside the unzipped Instagram folder, open connections, then open followers and following. Select pending follow requests.
This file shows the accounts with a follow request still pending within the date range you chose. Pinch and zoom if you need to make the usernames easier to read.
The list only reflects the timeframe selected during export. If you think an older request is missing, create another export with a wider or earlier date range. If you only need to check recent requests, keeping the date range short is usually more convenient.
Cancel an old Instagram follow request
The exported list helps you identify pending requests, but you cancel each request in the Instagram app itself. Search Instagram for the username shown in the pending follow requests file. Open that account, then select Cancel request.
Once canceled, your request is no longer pending for that account. Repeat this for any outdated requests you want to remove. If you want to keep a request active, you do not need to change anything.
Using the connections-only export is a useful way to review sent Instagram follow requests without downloading unrelated account information. Just remember to select a date range that covers the requests you are trying to find.
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