How to download your Instagram data

Instagram lets you download a copy of your data — including your full followers and following lists. The request takes about 30 seconds and the file is usually ready within a few minutes.

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You must select JSON format — not HTML

followreport can only read JSON exports. If you pick HTML, it won't work. See step 6 below.

Open Instagram and go to your profile

Tap your profile picture at the bottom right, then tap the ☰ hamburger menu in the top right corner of your profile.

Open Settings and privacy

Tap Settings and privacy at the bottom of the side menu.

Go to Accounts Centre

Scroll down and tap Accounts Centre. This is the Meta hub shared between Instagram and Facebook.

Can't find Accounts Centre? Some older app versions still show Your activity → Download your information directly in Settings. Try that path if you don't see Accounts Centre.

Your information and permissions → Export your information

Inside Accounts Centre, tap Your information and permissions, then tap Export your information. Tap Create export.

Choose your Instagram profile → Export to device

Select your Instagram account (not Facebook or Threads). Then tap Export to device.

Configure your export settings

On the "Confirm your export"screen you'll see four settings. Change them as follows:

→Customise information — tap it and select Followers and following, Follow requests, and Blocked accounts

→Date range — change from "Last year" to All time

→Format — change from "HTML" to JSON ⚠️ most important

→Media quality — set to Low (keeps file size small)

The default format is HTML — you must change it to JSON or followreport won't be able to read your file.

Then tap Create export.

Wait for the notification, then download

Instagram will notify you when the file is ready — usually within a few minutes. Go back to Export your information → Past activity to find the download. Instagram also sends a link by email.

⏱ You have 4 days to download the file before the link expires.

✓

Upload the ZIP to followreport

Go back to followreport and drop the ZIP into the upload area. Your full follower report appears instantly — no Instagram login needed.

Common questions

I can't find Accounts Centre — where is it?

Update your Instagram app to the latest version. If it's still not there, try: Settings and privacy → Your activity → Export your information. Instagram's menus change with app updates.

How long does it take?

Usually a few minutes. Instagram sends an in-app notification and an email when it's ready. Large accounts can take up to an hour.

Is my data safe?

Yes. The free analysis runs entirely in your browser — your data never leaves your device. Pro users only have Instagram usernames stored (not the ZIP itself) to enable change tracking over time.

Why JSON and not HTML?

followreport parses the structured JSON files inside your ZIP to extract follower data. The HTML export uses a completely different format that can't be read automatically.

Can I do this on desktop?

Yes. Go to instagram.com → your profile → Settings → Accounts Centre → Your information and permissions → Export your information → Create export. Same steps as the app.

Can I upload the same ZIP twice?

Yes, but to see who unfollowed you since last time you need a fresh export — each ZIP is a snapshot of that exact moment.

What does followreport show from my export?

Depending on what you selected in Customise information, followreport can show: who doesn't follow you back, your fans, mutual followers, pending follow requests you sent, follow requests you received, and your blocked accounts. The more categories you select, the more tabs you'll see in your report.

Why select Blocked accounts and Follow requests?

Selecting these gives you extra tabs in your report — you'll see who you've blocked over the years (easy to forget) and any pending requests waiting for approval. It doesn't add much to the file size.

Upload my ZIP →