JSON recommended
Follinfo accepts both JSON and HTML exports. JSON is recommended in Follinfo’s in-app guide.
Official Meta export · Step-by-step
How to Download Your Instagram Followers and Following Export
Use Meta’s official Export your information tool—the same archive Follinfo analyzes. No third-party login apps required.
- Original ZIP from Meta
- No Follinfo password
- Official Accounts Center flow
- Labels may vary by app version
Before you start
What you’ll need
This guide walks through Meta’s current export flow. You do not need Follinfo installed to request your data, but you will need the app to analyze the archive.
- An Instagram account you can sign into
- Enough storage on your device for the download (narrow exports are smaller)
- A few minutes to configure the export, plus Meta’s processing time
- The Follinfo app when you are ready to upload your archive
Meta is gradually updating accounts. You may see Accounts Center or Meta Account settings—both lead to the same export tool.
Official workflow
Export your Instagram data from Accounts Center
These steps follow Meta’s documented Export your information flow. Wording on your phone or computer may differ slightly.
1
Open Accounts Center
Open Instagram and go to Settings. Open Accounts Center or Meta Account, then Your information and permissions.
2
Start a new export
Tap Export your information, then Create export. Select the Instagram profile you want to export.
3
Choose Export to device
Select Export to device so Meta prepares a file you can download directly. Export to external service is optional and not required for Follinfo.
4
Customize categories and format
On the customization screen, choose the information related to your connections and follower relationships rather than your entire account history. Meta lets you pick specific categories and a date range, plus a machine-readable JSON or HTML format.
5
Start export and verify with Meta
Review your selections and tap Start export. Instagram may ask you to confirm your identity—that verification is between you and Meta, not Follinfo.
6
Wait for Meta to prepare your file
Meta processes exports asynchronously. Official help notes it may take up to 30 days to receive a link in some cases; smaller, narrowly scoped exports often finish sooner. You will typically get an email and/or in-app notice when the export is ready.
7
Download from Available downloads
When ready, return to Export your information in Accounts Center and download your file from Available downloads. Official help states you have 4 days to download once the export becomes available.
Follinfo checklist
Recommended export settings for Follinfo
These settings match Follinfo’s verified product requirements and in-app export guide.
All time recommended
All time is not mandatory. For the most complete results, choose All time when that option is available.
Followers and following
Complete relationship analysis works best when your export includes both follower and following data. Partial exports may produce limited insights.
Keep the original ZIP
Download Meta’s archive as provided. Upload the original .zip to Follinfo—do not unzip it or upload individual files.
After download
Upload the ZIP directly to Follinfo
Install Follinfo
Download Follinfo from the App Store or Google Play.
Match your profile
Use the export belonging to the Instagram profile associated with your Follinfo analysis.
Upload the original ZIP
Select the .zip file Meta sent you. Do not extract the archive first. Maximum accepted size: 50 MB.
Review insights
See supported lists from that snapshot—including pending requests only when Instagram included that data in your export.
Want to understand unfollowers without login? Read how export-based analysis works.
Important distinction
First export vs. later comparison
Your first upload establishes a baseline. A single archive does not reconstruct historical unfollows by itself.
1
First export = snapshot
Your first archive shows relationship insights Instagram included at that moment — for example, who does not follow you back and mutual followers when both follower and following data are present.
2
Later export = changes
To see who unfollowed you since an earlier point, request a new export from Meta later and upload it to Follinfo so the app can compare against your earlier baseline.
Troubleshooting
Common export and upload issues
Most problems come from the wrong file type, an oversized export, or incomplete follower data. Start here before contacting support.
Wrong file type or unzipped files
Upload the original .zip Meta sent you. Do not upload screenshots, manually edited JSON/HTML files, or extracted folders. Follinfo accepts JSON and HTML exports inside the official ZIP—not loose files.
Export exceeds 50 MB
Follinfo accepts ZIP files up to 50 MB. Request a narrower export with only connection and follower-related categories instead of your full account history, posts, or media.
Corrupt or incomplete ZIP
Re-download the file from Available downloads in Accounts Center before the availability window ends. If the download fails repeatedly, create a fresh export request in Meta.
Missing follower or following data
Complete relationship analysis needs both follower and following data in the export. Partial exports containing only one side may produce limited insights in Follinfo.
Pending requests not showing
Pending follow requests appear only when Instagram included that data in your export. Not every archive contains pending-request files.
Wrong account or export mismatch
Use the export belonging to the Instagram profile associated with your Follinfo analysis. If you manage multiple accounts, confirm you exported the correct profile in Accounts Center before uploading.
Duplicate or outdated archive
Each export is a snapshot from a specific point in time. If results look stale, request a new export from Meta and upload the newer ZIP. Comparing two valid exports is how unfollower changes are detected.
Download link expired
Official Meta help states you have 4 days to download from Available downloads once an export is ready. After that, create a new export request.
Still stuck? Contact support support@follinfo.com
Privacy & trust
Your data stays under your control
Requesting your own information from Meta is an official privacy feature—not a hack or third-party scrape. Follinfo does not ask for your Instagram password and does not log into Instagram on your behalf. Uploaded files are processed temporarily to generate your reports, as described in our Privacy Policy. You can clear local app data in Settings.
Follinfo is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Instagram or Meta Platforms, Inc. Instagram is a trademark of Meta Platforms, Inc.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about downloading your Instagram export for Follinfo.
Where do I download Instagram followers and following data?
In Instagram, go to Accounts Center → Your information and permissions → Export your information → Create export → Export to device. Menu labels may vary slightly depending on your app version.
Should I choose JSON or HTML for Follinfo?
Follinfo accepts both JSON and HTML Instagram exports. JSON is recommended in Follinfo’s in-app guide for analysis workflows.
Do I need to unzip the Instagram export before uploading?
No. Upload the original .zip file Meta sent you. Do not extract the archive or upload individual JSON or HTML files separately.
What is the maximum ZIP size Follinfo accepts?
Follinfo accepts Instagram export ZIP files up to 50 MB. If your export is larger, request a narrower export with only follower and connection-related categories.
Does Follinfo need my Instagram password?
No. Meta may ask you to verify your identity when creating the export. Follinfo does not ask for your Instagram password—you only upload the file Meta provides.
Is All time required for the export date range?
No. All time is not technically required. For the most complete results, choose All time when that option is available.
Is Follinfo affiliated with Instagram or Meta?
No. Follinfo is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Instagram or Meta Platforms, Inc.
Ready to analyze your export?
Download Follinfo and upload your official Instagram ZIP—no Instagram password required.