Why Export Your Instagram Data?
Instagram's data export gives you a complete copy of your account — followers, following, likes, comments, messages, and more. It's the only way to access this data without breaking Instagram's terms of service or risking your account.
Tools like FollowerViewer use this export to analyse your followers and activity without ever needing your password.
How to Request Your Data Export (Mobile)
1. Open the Instagram app and tap your **profile icon** in the bottom right.
2. Tap the **three lines (☰)** in the top right, then go to **Your activity**.
3. Scroll down and tap **Download your information**.
4. Select **Download or transfer information**.
5. Choose **Some of your information**.
6. Tick **Connections** (includes followers and following) — or select all categories if you want activity data too.
7. Tap **Next**, choose **Download to device**, then set the format to **JSON** and date range to **All time**.
8. Tap **Create files**. Instagram will notify you when the file is ready.
How to Request Your Data Export (Desktop)
1. Go to instagram.com and log in.
2. Click your **profile picture** → **Settings**.
3. Click **Account Center** → **Your information and permissions** → **Download your information**.
4. Click **Download or transfer information**, choose your Instagram account, then **Some of your information**.
5. Select **Connections** and any other categories you want.
6. Choose **Download to device**, set format to **JSON**, date range to **All time**, and click **Create files**.
How Long Does It Take?
Instagram usually prepares your file within a few minutes, but it can take up to 48 hours for large accounts. You will receive a notification in the app and an email when the download is ready.
Downloading the ZIP File
When you receive the notification, go back to the same menu (**Download your information**) and tap **Download**. Save the ZIP file to your device. Do not unzip it — FollowerViewer and similar tools read the ZIP directly.
What Is Inside the Export?
The ZIP file contains JSON files organised in folders:
- **connections/** — followers.json, following.json, blocked accounts, follow requests
- **your_instagram_activity/** — likes, comments, saved posts, story interactions
- **personal_information/** — profile info, contact details
FollowerViewer reads the connections and activity folders to generate your analytics.
Next Step: Analyse Your Data
Once you have your ZIP file, upload it to FollowerViewer at followerviewer.com/upload. Within seconds you will see your follower and following counts, non-mutual follows, activity breakdowns, and more. No Instagram login required — your file never leaves your account.