Ever wondered if you can see deleted follow requests on Instagram or if someone quietly removed their request to follow you?
This is one of the most common Instagram mysteries users face, especially as privacy settings, follow activity logs, and request histories aren’t as transparent as many hope. While Instagram does not officially show a section titled “deleted follow requests,” several clues and methods still allow users to understand what happened and whether a request was removed, cancelled, or never delivered.
In this in-depth, research-based guide, we break down what Instagram stores, what you can still recover, how to check your follow request activity, and what to do if someone deleted a request before you saw it.
What Does It Mean When a Follow Request Is “Deleted”?
A deleted follow request on Instagram typically refers to one of two situations:
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You sent a follow request, and the other person declined it.
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The person who sent you a follow request cancelled it before you acted.
Instagram does not notify users about declined or cancelled requests, which is why people often search for ways to detect them.
However, Instagram stores follow-request data inside its backend systems meaning you can retrieve your own sent follow requests.
Can You See Deleted Follow Requests on Instagram?
Yes and no depends on the type of request:
✔ You Can See:
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Your sent follow requests, even if they were deleted or ignored
(retrievable through Instagram’s Download Your Information feature)
✘ You Cannot See:
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Follow requests other people sent to you and cancelled
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Whether someone declined your follow request
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Who removed or rejected your request unless you check manually
Instagram prioritizes privacy, so deleted requests on someone else’s end are never shown.
How to See Your Deleted or Pending Follow Requests (Working Method – Instagram Data Tool)
The only official way to see deleted or pending follow requests is through Instagram’s data download feature, which provides a full list of usernames you sent requests to.
Step-by-step method:
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Open Instagram → Go to Profile
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Tap Menu (☰) → Your activity
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Scroll down → Download your information
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Enter your email address
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Instagram will send a download link (may take up to 48 hours)
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Download the ZIP file → Open the followers_and_following folder
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Find the file labeled:
pending_follow_requests.json or sent_follow_requests.html
Inside this file, you will see:
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All usernames you have requested to follow
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Including the ones you forgot
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Including ones that have deleted or ignore your request
This is the closest thing to “seeing deleted follow requests” Instagram allows.
How to Know if Someone Deleted Your Follow Request
While Instagram gives no direct notification, you can identify clues:
1. Search their username
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If their profile still shows “Follow”, your request was removed or canceled.
2. Check the “Follow Requests You Sent” file
If their name appears in the exported file but tapping “Follow” again sends a new request, the previous one was deleted.
3. You can’t see their private posts
If they haven’t approved you and your request is missing, it’s likely declined.
Why Does Instagram Delete or Hide Follow Requests?
There are a few reasons:
🔹 User privacy
Instagram does not reveal whether someone rejects or removes your request.
🔹 Automatic clean-up
Old requests may disappear if:
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The account is banned
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Username changes
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The user deletes their account
🔹 Accidental cancellation
Sometimes users tap “Requested” again, automatically cancelling the request.
Third-Party Apps: Do They Help?
Many apps claim to show deleted follow requests, but Instagram does not give them access to this data, meaning:
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They cannot show real deleted follow request logs
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They collect your login info (high privacy risk)
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You may get your account suspended
Avoid third-party apps.
The only accurate, safe method is Instagram’s official data export.
FAQs
1. Can I see who deleted my follow request?
No. Instagram does not provide this information.
2. Can I recover deleted follow requests?
You can view sent requests through your activity data, but not requests received.
3. Will the other person know if I cancel my follow request?
No, Instagram does not notify them.
4. Why did my follow request disappear?
Possibly:
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User declined it
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User cancelled it
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Account deleted/changed
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Instagram auto-cleared old requests
5. Can I see follow requests I declined?
No. Instagram does not store declined incoming requests for users.
Tips to Manage Follow Requests Smarter
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Take quick screenshots of incoming requests if you want a record
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Use the “Close Friends” feature to control who sees your stories
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Switch to public temporarily when you expect new followers
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Avoid mass requesting, which may lead to temporary blocks
Conclusion
While Instagram doesn’t directly show deleted follow requests, you can still access a detailed list of the follow requests you have sent via Instagram’s data download feature. This is the only official, accurate method to track what happened to your requests.
If this article helped you understand how Instagram handles deleted follow requests, share it, leave a comment, or pass it along to someone who needs clarity.
