How to See Sent Follow Requests on Instagram
Want to know who you’ve sent follow requests to on Instagram? It’s very easy! Sometimes we follow people, and they don’t accept our request. If you forgot who they are, don’t worry. In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to see your sent follow requests on Instagram. You can even cancel them if you want. Let’s get started!
Why You Should Check Sent Follow Requests
Before jumping into the steps, here’s why this can be useful:
- Manage Privacy: Cancel requests you no longer want to keep.
- Avoid Spam Traps: Ensure you’re not unknowingly following bots or inactive accounts.
- Clean Up: Reduce clutter and tidy your digital presence.
- Re-follow Important Accounts: If they missed your request, try again.
Step-by-Step: How to See Sent Follow Requests on Instagram (Mobile)
Currently, Instagram doesn’t display sent requests directly in the app. However, there’s a simple workaround using Instagram’s account data download feature.
Step 1: Open Instagram App
Launch the Instagram app and ensure you’re logged in to the right account.
Step 2: Go to Your Profile
Tap the profile icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Step 3: Access Your Settings
Tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) on the top-right > Choose “Your activity”.
Step 4: Select “Download Your Information”
Scroll down and tap on “Download your information”. You’ll be redirected to a browser.
Step 5: Enter Your Email and Confirm
Instagram will ask for the email address where you want the data sent. Enter it, and tap “Next.”
Step 6: Enter Password and Request Download
Provide your Instagram password, then tap “Request Download.”
Step 7: Wait for the Email from Instagram
Instagram will send you a downloadable file within a few minutes to a couple of hours. The email subject will be “Your Instagram Data.”
Step 8: Download and Extract the File
Once you receive the email, download the ZIP file, then extract it using any file manager or unzip tool.
Step 9: Open the “followers_and_following” Folder
Inside the extracted folder, go to followers_and_following > pending_follow_requests.html.
Step 10: View Sent Requests
Open the pending_follow_requests.html file in any browser. You’ll now see a list of all usernames you’ve sent follow requests to (that haven’t been accepted yet).
How to Cancel Sent Follow Requests
If you spot any follow request you want to cancel:
- Copy the username from the list.
- Search for the profile in the Instagram app.
- Tap “Requested” to cancel the follow request.
This won’t notify the user that you canceled the request — they’ll simply stop seeing the request in their notifications.
Alternative: View Sent Requests Using Desktop (Browser)
- Visit: https://www.instagram.com
- Go to your profile and click Settings > Privacy and Security.
- Scroll to “Data Download” and click Request Download.
- Enter your email, choose JSON or HTML format, and follow the same process as above.
The downloaded data on desktop is the same as mobile and includes the pending_follow_requests.html file.
Pro Tip: Use HTML Viewer for Better Readability
When you extract and open the file, the formatting might look basic. For a cleaner view:
- Open in Google Chrome or any modern browser.
- Use a dedicated HTML viewer if needed for easier navigation.
Final Thoughts
Instagram doesn’t openly show your sent follow requests like it does your followers and following list. But using the “Download Your Information” feature gives you full control over your account data, including all pending follow requests.
Whether you’re managing a personal account or cleaning up a business profile, regularly reviewing your sent requests can keep your Instagram presence organized and intentional.