How to Check Your Sent Instagram Follow Requests (2026 Guide)

Did you send a follow request to a private Instagram account and now can’t remember who it was? It happens! Sometimes we hit that ‘Follow’ button and then, well, life gets in the way, and we forget. If you’re looking to manage your outgoing requests or just curious about who you’ve asked to connect with, this tutorial is for you. We’ll guide you through checking your sent follow requests on Instagram, using the official methods that work for the latest 2026 app updates on both Android and iPhone.

For a visual walkthrough, check out the video below:

Why You Might Need to Check Sent Requests

There are a few common reasons why you’d want to find your pending Instagram follow requests:

• Recall: You want to remember accounts you’ve requested to follow.
• Cleanup: You’ve decided not to follow certain accounts anymore and want to cancel the request.
• Privacy: You’re reviewing your social interactions and digital footprint.

How to Check Sent Follow Requests on Instagram (Step-by-Step)

Instagram doesn’t have a direct, easily accessible list of *sent* follow requests within the app’s main interface. The most reliable method involves downloading your account data. Here’s how:

1. Open Instagram: Launch the Instagram app on your smartphone.
2. Go to Your Profile: Tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
3. Access Settings: Tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right, then select ‘Settings and privacy’.
4. Find Your Data: Scroll down to ‘Your app and media’ and tap ‘Download your information’.
5. Request Download: Tap ‘Download your information’ again. You might be prompted to log in.
6. Choose What to Download: Select ‘Request a download’. Instagram will then ask if you want a ‘Complete copy’ or ‘Select types of information’. For finding sent requests, choosing ‘Select types of information’ is more efficient.
7. Select ‘Followers and Following’: Within the list of data types, find and select ‘Followers and following’. Make sure only this option (or related ones if available) is checked. Tap ‘Next’.
8. Choose Format and Quality: Select ‘JSON’ as the file format (this is crucial for easy reading) and choose your preferred media quality. Tap ‘Submit request’.
9. Wait for the File: Instagram will prepare your data. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of days, depending on how much data you have. You’ll receive a notification and an email with a download link when it’s ready.
10. Download and Extract: Click the link in the email or notification to download the file. It will likely be a ZIP file. Extract its contents.
11. Locate the Sent Requests File: Inside the extracted folder, navigate to the ‘followers_and_following’ folder. Look for a file named something like ‘pending_follow_requests.json’ or similar. Open this JSON file using a text editor or a JSON viewer.

Understanding the JSON File

The JSON file will contain a list of accounts you’ve sent follow requests to, along with details like their usernames and when the request was made. You can scroll through this list to see all your pending requests. If you’re not familiar with JSON, think of it as a structured text file. You’re looking for entries that indicate a ‘requested’ status.

Cancelling Pending Follow Requests

Once you’ve identified the accounts from your downloaded data, you can cancel the follow request directly within the Instagram app:

1. Go to the profile of the user you want to unfollow.
2. Tap the ‘Requested’ button (it will usually be green or have a checkmark).
3. Confirm that you want to ‘Unfollow’ or ‘Cancel Request’.

Pro-Tips & Shortcuts

• Use a JSON Viewer: If the raw JSON file looks intimidating, use an online JSON viewer or a dedicated app to format it for better readability.
• Be Patient: Downloading your data can take time. Don’t worry if it’s not immediate.
• Regular Review: Make it a habit to occasionally review your sent requests, especially if you tend to follow many accounts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Expecting an In-App List: There isn’t a simple button for this in the app itself; data download is the official way.
• Forgetting to Select ‘JSON’: If you choose HTML or another format, it might be harder to parse the data.
• Not Downloading ‘Followers and Following’: Ensure you select the correct data category when requesting your information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Navigating Instagram’s features can sometimes be a bit tricky, but with the right approach, you can manage your account effectively. Knowing how to check your sent follow requests is a useful trick for keeping your social connections tidy.

For more social media tips and tricks, you might find these helpful:

• How To Download Instagram Story: Save Photos & Videos Easily (No App Needed!)
• How to Use WhatsApp on Your Computer or Laptop: A Step-by-Step Guide