How to Track Instagram Unfollowers Safely
The complete, no-nonsense guide to finding who unfollowed you — without risking your account.
Let's be honest — you've noticed your follower count drop. Maybe it was after that post you were unsure about. Maybe it was after you posted a story. Or maybe someone just randomly decided you were not worth following anymore.
The problem? Instagram does not tell you who unfollowed you. And most apps that claim to do so? They either ask for your password (big red flag 🚩) or use sketchy methods that could get your account banned.
This is where FollowlyApp comes in. We built a tool that works differently — no passwords, no account access, no risk. Just a simple way to see who unfollowed you using the data Instagram already gives you.
TL;DR — Here is what you do
- 1Request your Instagram data export (JSON format)
- 2Wait for the email from Instagram (usually within 24 hours)
- 3Download the ZIP file (do not unzip it)
- 4Upload it to FollowlyApp and see your results
Step 1: Request Your Instagram Data
Instagram lets you download a copy of everything they have on you. This includes your followers and following lists — which is exactly what we need.
AOn Desktop (Instagram Website)
- Open Instagram in your web browser and log in
- Click your profile picture → Settings
- Go to Accounts Center → Your information and permissions
- Look for either:
- "Download your information" (older interface)
- "Export your information" (newer interface)
BOn Mobile (Instagram App)
- Open the Instagram app
- Go to your profile → tap the menu icon (☰) in the top right
- Tap Accounts Center
- Tap Your information and permissions
- Choose either Download or Export your information
Step 2: Configure Your Export
Instagram might show you different options depending on your account. Here is what to select in each case:
If you see "Export your information"
- 1. Tap/Click Create export
- 2. Select your account (if you have multiple)
- 3. Choose Export to device
- 4. On the confirmation screen:
- Click Customize information → uncheck everything except Followers and Following under Connections
- Click Date range → select All time
- Click Format → select JSON
- 5. Tap/Click Start export
If you see "Download your information"
- 1. Tap/Click Download or transfer information
- 2. Select your account (if you have multiple)
- 3. Choose Some of your information
- 4. Select Followers and following → tap Next
- 5. Choose Download to device
- 6. Set these options:
- Date range: All time
- Format: JSON
- 7. Tap/Click Create files
Important: Always select All time and JSON format. Anything else might give you incomplete results.
Step 3: Download Your Data
After you request your export, Instagram will email you when it is ready. This usually takes anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours (sometimes longer for large accounts).
When you get the email:
- Open the email from Instagram (subject usually says something like "Your Instagram information is ready")
- Click the Download button or link
- Save the ZIP file to your device
- Do NOT unzip the file — FollowlyApp needs it as a ZIP
Can't find the email? Check your Spam or Promotions folder. If it has been more than 48 hours, you can request the export again from Instagram.
Step 4: Upload to FollowlyApp
Now for the easy part. Let us see who unfollowed you.
- 1Log in to your FollowlyApp account (or create one — it's free to start)
- 2Click the Upload Data button on your dashboard
- 3Select the ZIP file you downloaded from Instagram
- 4Wait a few moments while we process your data
- 5View your results! 🎉
What You Will See
Once your upload is processed, FollowlyApp will show you:
Non-Followers
People you follow who do not follow you back. Time to clean house?
Unfollowers
People who used to follow you but stopped. Compare two uploads to see this.
New Followers
Fresh followers since your last upload. Welcome them!
Stats Overview
Total followers, following, and ratio at a glance.
Troubleshooting
Results look incorrect or incomplete?+
Common causes:
- You unzipped the file before uploading (keep it as ZIP)
- Wrong date range selected (use "All time")
- Wrong format selected (use JSON, not HTML)
- Wrong account selected when downloading from Instagram
Fix: Delete the upload from your dashboard and start over with a fresh export.
How do I see who unfollowed me (not just non-followers)?+
Upload your data at two different points in time. FollowlyApp will compare them and show you who stopped following you between uploads.
Is this really safe for my Instagram account?+
Yes. We never ask for your Instagram password or access your account in any way. We only read the data export file you upload. This is completely within Instagram's terms of service.
Why FollowlyApp Is Different
No Password Required
We never ask for your Instagram login. Ever.
No Risk of Ban
Unlike automation tools, we don't interact with Instagram at all. Your account stays safe.
Works on Any Device
Desktop, mobile, tablet — wherever you can download files, you can use FollowlyApp.
Accurate Data
Your results come directly from Instagram's own data export — not from scraping or guessing.
Ready to find out who unfollowed you?
No passwords. No risks. Just clear answers.
Disclaimer: FollowlyApp is not affiliated with Instagram™ or Meta Platforms Inc.