STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

How to get your Instagram data.

Instagram lets you export your followers and following list directly. Pick the method that works for you.

New here? Learn what WhoUnfollowed does →

Only request Followers and Following, not your entire Instagram history. A focused export is ready in under 2 minutes.

1

Go to Instagram Accounts Center

You can do this on any device - phone, tablet, or desktop browser. The quickest way is to go directly to accountscenter.instagram.com. Or navigate there manually: open Instagram, go to your Profile, then Settings and privacy, then Accounts Center.

Open Instagram Accounts Center
ProfileSettings and privacyAccounts Center
2

Open Your Information and Permissions

Inside Accounts Center, tap or click Your information and permissions.

Accounts CenterYour information and permissions
3

Go to Export Your Information

Tap Export your information. You'll see two options. Choose Export to device (not "Transfer to destination").

Your information and permissionsExport your informationExport to device
4

Select only Followers and Following

Tap Create export. Select your Instagram account, choose "Download to device", then under Customize information deselect everything and check only Followers and Following. When asked for a date range, select All time - any shorter range will only export recent followers, not your full list.

CUSTOMIZE INFORMATION - SELECT ONLY:
Followers and FollowingRequired
Posts
Stories
Messages
Comments
5

Choose JSON format, then tap "Start export"

Instagram will ask for a format. Choose JSON, not HTML. JSON includes timestamps and our parser handles it fully.

JSON
Recommended. Includes timestamps.
HTML
No timestamps

Then tap Start export. Instagram will process your request in the background.

6

Download the ZIP from your email

Within a few minutes, Instagram sends an email with a download link. Tap the link and download the ZIP to your device.

Your Instagram data is ready
From: security-noreply@instagram.com
instagram-username-20260428.zip
Download

The download link expires in 4 days. Download the ZIP as soon as you get the email.

Got the ZIP?
Drop it on the home page. Parsed in your browser. Nothing leaves your device.
Upload your ZIP now
TIMING

How long does the export take?

Most exports arrive within 1–5 minutes. If yours has not appeared after 15 minutes, here is what to check:

·Check your spam or promotions folder. Instagram sends from security-noreply@instagram.com
·Make sure you selected JSON format, not HTML - HTML exports sometimes take longer
·Instagram throttles export requests. If you requested recently, wait 14 days before trying again
·On rare occasions Instagram can take up to 48 hours, especially during high-traffic periods

The download link in the email expires in 4 days. Download the ZIP as soon as it arrives.

FILE STRUCTURE

What's actually inside the file you download?

FOLDER STRUCTURE
instagram-username-20260428.zip
└── followers_and_following/
    ├── followers_1.json      ← everyone who follows you
    └── following.json        ← everyone you follow

You only need this ZIP. You do not need to unzip it or open the files yourself. Just drop the ZIP on WhoUnfollowed and the parser reads it in your browser in about 2 seconds.

WHAT THE JSON LOOKS LIKE
[
  {
    "string_list_data": [{
      "value": "username",
      "timestamp": 1714512000
    }]
  }
]

This is what our parser reads. The timestamp tells you exactly when someone followed you.

Got the ZIP?Drop it here
TROUBLESHOOTING

Common problems and how to fix them.

I didn't receive the Instagram export email

Check your spam folder first. The sender is security-noreply@instagram.com. If it's not there after 15 minutes, go back to Accounts Center and confirm your request was submitted. Try requesting again - sometimes the first request silently fails.

The download link in the email has expired

Export links expire after 4 days. Go back to Accounts Center and request a new export. You'll get a fresh link within minutes.

My export only shows recent followers, not my full list

You selected the wrong date range. Go back and request again - under "Date range" select All time, not Last month or Last year. Any shorter range gives you a partial list.

Instagram is asking me to export my full archive

You navigated to the wrong option. Make sure you choose "Export to device" (not "Transfer to destination") and then under Customize information, deselect everything except Followers and Following.

The ZIP file won't open or shows an error on WhoUnfollowed

Make sure you're uploading the original ZIP Instagram sent - don't unzip and re-zip it, and don't rename the file. If you're on iOS, make sure you downloaded it with the Files app, not the Mail app.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Does requesting an Instagram data export notify my followers?
No. The export is completely private. Your followers have no way of knowing you requested or downloaded your data.
How often can I request an Instagram data export?
Instagram allows one export request approximately every 14 days per account.
Is it safe to request my Instagram data export?
Yes. It is an official Instagram feature required under GDPR. No third-party app is involved at any point.
What format should I choose - JSON or HTML?
Always choose JSON. It includes timestamps showing when each person followed you, and it's the format our parser is built for. HTML is only for human reading and contains less data.
Can I request an Instagram data export on desktop?
Yes. Go to accountscenter.instagram.com → Your information and permissions → Export your information. The process is identical to mobile.
Why do I only need the Followers and Following export, not my full archive?
The full Instagram archive can be several gigabytes and takes much longer. Followers and Following is a small, focused export - usually under 1MB - and ready in minutes.
Got the ZIP?
Drop it on the home page. Parsed in your browser. Nothing leaves your device.
Upload your ZIP now
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