Instagram doesn’t offer a built-in feature to directly view your sent follow requests. While you might be hoping to see who accepted or ignored your requests, there’s currently no way to access that information within the app.
However, this guide will explain how to download your Instagram data, which can include a list of recent follow requests you’ve sent. This method won’t show the status of each request (accepted or pending), but it can be helpful to identify who you’ve reached out to follow.
View Sent Follow Requests on Instagram?
While some social media platforms let you see who you’ve sent friend requests to, Instagram currently doesn’t offer a similar feature.
In the past and even today, there isn’t a built-in function to directly view a list of sent follow requests. This means you can’t track who you’ve requested to follow or see if your requests have been accepted.
How can you check all the follow requests you’ve sent on Instagram using both iPhone and Android devices?
Curious about checking your sent follow requests on Instagram, whether you’re using an iPhone or Android? Well, it’s essential to know that the steps may differ between mobile and laptop, so follow the right instructions. Let’s start with the mobile version:
Step 1: Tap the three-bar menu icon at the top right of your Instagram app.
Step 2: Open the tri-bar menu by tapping the three horizontal lines at the top right. If you’re on a PC, click “More” at the bottom left.
Step 3: Initiate the download
- Choose “Your Activity.”
- Scroll down and select “Download Your Information.”
- Tap the option “Request a Download.”
- Select “Complete Copy” for the type of data you need.
- Choose the format, media quality, and data range.
- Tap “Submit Request.”
Step 4: Download the data
- Wait a few minutes until the PDF is ready.
- Click on “Download.”
- Enter your account password to initiate the download.
Step 5: Analyze the data
- Open the downloaded PDF file (ensure you have a zip archiver).
- Navigate to the “follower_and_following” subfolder.
- Access the “pending requests” folder to find the information you need.
How to view sent follow requests on Instagram using a computer:
Viewing sent follow requests on a computer is easy. Here’s how:
Step 1: Go to Instagram settings
- Open instagram.com and log in.
- Click on “More” at the bottom left.
Step 2: Request information download
- Choose “Your Activity.”
- Click “Download Your Information.”
- Enter your email and tap “Next.”
Step 3: Download all the information
- After an hour, open your email.
- Click the “Download Information” link.
- Enter your password and save the file.
Step 4: Explore the downloaded file
- Open the file and find “followers_and_followings.”
- Click “pending follow requests” to see them.
Cancel Pending Follow Requests on Instagram
Regrettably, you can’t cancel all your sent follow requests simultaneously on Instagram. You have to cancel them one by one.
- Identify usernames you’ve requested to follow on Instagram (currently not possible through the app).
- Search for the username within Instagram.
- For public profiles, select “Following” to unfollow them.
- For private profiles, tap “Requested” to cancel the pending request.
FAQ
How many follow requests can you send on Instagram?
Instagram’s approach to follow requests has evolved to prevent excessive communication. Initially, users could send unlimited requests. However, this flexibility was adjusted to limit each request to a single attempt until it’s accepted. This change helps maintain a more balanced user experience by reducing potential spam.
How to cancel a follow request on Instagram?
If you’ve sent a follow request on Instagram and now want to cancel it, you can follow these simple steps:
- Open the Instagram app and go to the profile of the person you sent the request to.
- Find the “Following” button below their profile name and bio.
- Tap on the “Following” button, then select “Cancel Request” from the dropdown menu.
Can people see if you requested to follow them?
Yes. If the user has a private account, they receive a list of pending follow requests and a notification as well.
Do people get notified if you remove their follow request on Instagram?
No, Instagram doesn’t send notifications when follow requests are deleted. However, if someone checks your profile, they may notice that the follow button changes to “Requesting” when they request to follow you, and reverts to “Follow” if their request is denied.
How can I see who I’ve sent follow requests to on Instagram in 2023 on Android?
The only way to see your sent follow requests is to download your Instagram data or revisit a person’s profile and check if the button says “request sent.”
See if Your Follow Request Was Accepted on Instagram?
You can usually tell if your follow request was declined by revisiting the person’s profile. If it still says “Requested,” your request hasn’t been addressed. If it changes back to “Follow,” it’s likely your request was denied.
How long does a follow request stay on Instagram?
Follow requests don’t expire and remain until they’re accepted or denied by the recipient.
What happens if you cancel a follow request on Instagram?
There’s no notification sent to the recipient. Instagram simply displays that the profile is private, and they can send you a new follow request.
Do follow requests disappear?
No, they don’t vanish. There are two reasons for this:
- If you’ve ever made your account public, all your follower requests will be automatically accepted by Instagram, so they won’t appear in the follow request section anymore.
Why am I suddenly getting many follow requests on Instagram?
If you notice a sudden increase in likes, followers, or comments, it could be due to activity from non-genuine accounts or bots. These accounts use automated actions to boost a profile’s popularity.
Can you accept a follow request without following back?
Yes, you can. Following back isn’t mandatory. You can choose to follow someone or not after accepting their request.
