FindUnfollower
Tool

Instagram pending follow requests checker

Instagram doesn't show the follow requests you've sent. Your data export does. Open it here to see how many requests are still waiting, how old the oldest one is, and the first few names. The full list with profile links is part of Pro.

Drop your Instagram export here

The ZIP from Instagram, or pending_follow_requests.json / .html on its own

Read in your browser. The file is not uploaded, nothing is stored, and no Instagram login is involved.

Preview: the totals and the first 3 names of each list. Full lists, search and CSV come with Pro.

How to see your sent follow requests

  1. In the Instagram app open Accounts Centre → Your information and permissions → Export your information → Export to device.
  2. Under Customise information tick Followers and following, set the date range to All time, choose JSON or HTML and submit.
  3. Download the ZIP from Instagram's email (usually a few minutes, occasionally up to 48 hours) and drop it above.

The tool looks for connections/followers_and_following/pending_follow_requests.json (or .html) and reads the username and request date of each entry. Requests to private accounts stay there until the person accepts, declines, or you withdraw the request.

Cleaning up old requests

Old requests are harmless, but they do tell the other person you once wanted to follow them. Work down the list from the oldest: open the profile, tap Requested and confirm. Doing a handful at a time is fine; very fast repeated actions are the kind of behaviour Instagram rate-limits.

Want to know who among the people you follow never followed back? Use the follow-back checker with the same file.

FAQ

Pending request questions

Where are sent follow requests in the Instagram app?

Instagram does not show a list of the requests you sent in the app. The only official place is your data export: the file pending_follow_requests (JSON or HTML) inside the followers_and_following folder lists every request to a private account that has not been accepted or declined yet.

What is recent_follow_requests?

A second file some exports include. It lists follow requests you sent recently, including ones that were later accepted, so it is a history rather than a list of what is still pending. This tool shows it separately when it is present.

How do I cancel a pending follow request?

Open the person's profile on Instagram and tap Requested, then confirm. In the full list (Pro) every username links straight to the profile. There is no official way to cancel them all at once; tools that promise a mass cancel need your login, which puts your account at risk.

My export has no pending_follow_requests file. Why?

Instagram only writes the file when there is something in it, so no file usually means no requests are waiting. Check that the export included “Followers and following”, because the file lives in that section.

Is the file uploaded?

No. It is read in your browser and forgotten when you close the tab. FindUnfollower never asks for your Instagram password.

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