Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, allowing users to connect with friends, influencers, and brands. One of its features is the ability to send follow requests to private accounts. However, many users wonder how to see sent follow requests on Instagram, especially if they want to manage their pending requests.
Instagram does not provide a direct way to view these requests, but there are some workarounds to check them. This guide will explore different methods to see sent follow requests and manage them efficiently.
Why Check Sent Follow Requests?
There are several reasons why you may want to see the follow requests you have sent on Instagram:
✔ You want to cancel old requests that have not been accepted.
✔ You accidentally sent a follow request and want to revoke it.
✔ You are curious about who you have sent requests to in the past.
Method 1: Checking Sent Follow Requests via Instagram Data Download
One of the most effective ways to check sent follow requests on Instagram is by downloading your account data. This method provides an official record of your account activity.
Steps to Download Instagram Data:
- Open Instagram and log into your account.
- Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
- Click on the three-line menu (☰) in the top right corner.
- Select ‘Your Activity’ and then choose ‘Download your information’.
- Tap on ‘Download or transfer information’ and select ‘Some of your information’.
- Under ‘Connections’, select ‘Followers and Following’.
- Choose the file format and submit your request.
- Once Instagram processes your request, download the file.
- Extract the file and open the ‘followers_and_following’ folder.
- Inside, open the ‘pending_follow_requests.json’ file to see the accounts you requested to follow.
Method 2: Checking Sent Requests Manually
Another way to check sent follow requests is by manually visiting the profiles of users you suspect you sent requests to.
✔ Open Instagram and go to the search bar.
✔ Type the username of the person you think you sent a request to.
✔ If their profile shows ‘Requested’ instead of ‘Follow,’ your request is still pending.
✔ To cancel the request, tap ‘Requested’ and then select ‘Cancel’.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps (Not Recommended)
There are several third-party apps that claim to provide access to your sent follow requests. However, using these apps is not recommended for the following reasons:
✔ They may violate Instagram’s policies and get your account banned.
✔ They could compromise your personal data and privacy.
✔ Many of these apps require login access, which is risky.
How to Cancel Sent Follow Requests
If you want to cancel a sent follow request, you can do so manually by visiting the user’s profile.
- Open Instagram and go to the search bar.
- Type the username of the person you sent the request to.
- Visit their profile and check if the button says ‘Requested’.
- If it does, tap on it and select ‘Cancel’ to revoke the request.
FAQs
1. Can I see my sent follow requests on Instagram directly?
No, Instagram does not have a direct option to view sent follow requests. However, you can check them using the Instagram Data Download feature. Another way is to manually visit profiles and check if it says “Requested.”
2. What happens if I cancel a follow request?
When you cancel a follow request, the person will not get a notification. Your request will disappear from their list of pending requests. They won’t know unless they manually check their requests.
3. Can I resend a follow request after canceling it?
Yes, you can resend a follow request after canceling it. However, Instagram may temporarily restrict resending requests to the same person. You might need to wait before sending a new request.
4. How long do follow requests stay pending?
Follow requests stay pending until the person accepts or declines them. There is no time limit, so they can remain pending indefinitely. You can manually cancel them anytime.
Conclusion
Instagram does not offer a direct way to see sent follow requests, but by using the data download feature, you can access a list of pending requests. If you only have a few requests, you can check them manually. Avoid using third-party apps to protect your account security. Managing your follow requests wisely helps keep your Instagram account organized.