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

Open Instagram Accounts Center
ProfileSettings and privacyAccounts Center

Or navigate manually from your Profile. Works the same on phone, tablet, or desktop.

2

Open Your Information and Permissions

Accounts CenterYour information and permissions
3

Go to Export Your Information

Your information and permissionsExport your informationExport to device

Two options appear here. Pick Export to device, not "Transfer to destination".

4

Select only Followers and Following

Create exportChoose accountDownload to deviceCustomize information
CUSTOMIZE INFORMATION - SELECT ONLY:
Followers and FollowingRequired
Posts
Stories
Messages
Comments

Date range: choose All time. A shorter range only exports recent followers, not your full list.

5

Choose JSON format, then tap "Start export"

JSON
Recommended. Includes timestamps.
HTML
No timestamps

Then tap Start export. Instagram processes it in the background.

6

Download the ZIP from your email

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

Usually arrives within a few minutes.

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.
RELATED GUIDE
How to download your Instagram data (step by step) →
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Drop it on the home page. Parsed in your browser. Nothing leaves your device.
Upload your ZIP now
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How to Export Instagram Followers & Following Data - Step-by-Step Guide (2026) | WhoUnfollowed