On Instagram, the list of follow requests sent to private accounts is not displayed in a dedicated tab of the app. The mobile interface only offers indirect access, and the most reliable method involves exporting account data. Here, we detail the technically feasible approaches in 2024, distinguishing what the app displays from what the JSON files of the export reveal.
Instagram Export JSON Files: Structure and Location of Follow Requests
The Instagram data export does not produce a single file containing all follow information. Instagram distributes this data across several distinct JSON files, each corresponding to a specific state of the request.
Three files deserve special attention:
- pending_follow_requests.json: it exclusively lists requests that are still pending, those that no account has accepted or declined at the time of export.
- recent_follow_requests.json: this file includes requests sent recently, including those already accepted or declined. It serves as a short-term history.
- follow_requests_you’ve_received.json: not to be confused with the previous ones, it concerns requests received on your profile, not those you have sent.
The confusion between these files is common. Many tutorials direct users to the generic “followers and following” folder without specifying which file to open. If you are only looking for requests that are still pending, it is pending_follow_requests.json that should be consulted first.
Each entry in these files contains a timestamp indicating the date the request was recorded. This information allows you to identify old requests that have gone unanswered for months, making it easier to clean up your following list.
We recommend requesting the export in JSON format rather than HTML. JSON is readable in any text editor and lends itself to automated processing if you manage multiple accounts. To view follow requests sent on Instagram comprehensively, the export remains the only method that guarantees a complete inventory.
Requesting and Utilizing Instagram Data Export
From the mobile app, access the account settings, then the “Your Activity” section, and finally “Download Your Information.” Select the JSON format and the full range of data.
Instagram sends a download link via email once processing is complete. The delay varies depending on the volume of data in the account, but it generally takes several hours.
Reading Files on Mobile or Desktop
On desktop, open the JSON file in a text editor (VS Code, Notepad++, or even Notepad). Look for the “value” key that contains the username of the targeted account, and “timestamp” for the date.
On mobile, the operation is less comfortable. Apps like the native file explorer on Android or the Files app on iOS allow you to preview the JSON, but readability remains limited. Transferring to a computer simplifies analysis.
Practical Tip: use the search function (Ctrl+F) in the editor to find a specific username in pending_follow_requests.json. If the name appears, the request is still pending.
Checking Pending Follow Requests from the Instagram App
The mobile app offers a partial path. In the “Following” tab, Instagram sometimes displays a subsection related to sent requests when there are pending requests. This section is not always visible and depends on the version of the app.
The process on the mobile app:
- Tap on your profile icon, then on “Following” at the top of the screen.
- If there are pending requests, a mention appears under the search bar or in a dedicated filter.
- Tap on the relevant username to cancel the request if necessary.
This method only shows active requests. Declined or expired requests do not appear in the app, making data export necessary for complete tracking.
Cancelling a Follow Request and Managing Old Requests
Cancelling a request from the app is done by visiting the profile of the relevant account. The button displays “Requested” instead of “Follow.” Tap it to withdraw the request.
For bulk cleaning, data export makes perfect sense. By browsing pending_follow_requests.json, identify accounts with timestamps dating back several weeks or months. A request that has gone unanswered for more than a few weeks is very unlikely to be accepted.
Then visit each relevant profile in the app and manually withdraw the request. Instagram does not offer bulk cancellation, making the process tedious for accounts that have sent many requests.
Third-Party Applications: Caution Required
Some third-party applications available on the App Store and Play Store claim to display pending requests. We observe that most exploit undocumented features of the Instagram API, which exposes the account to temporary restrictions or suspension. Instagram’s policy explicitly prohibits automated access to follow data by non-partner applications.
Using the official data export remains the safest method to obtain a reliable list without risking account security.
Managing follow requests sent on Instagram thus relies on two complementary channels: the app for one-off actions and the JSON export for complete audits. Maintaining the habit of regularly downloading your data allows for clear visibility on requests that have gone unanswered.
