How to Download Your Instagram Data as a ZIP (JSON Format)

This complete guide shows you how to get your Instagram data in the correct format for Instagram Unfollow Tracker. The most important step: select only “Followers and following” — an export without it has nothing to analyze. For the format, choose JSON: HTML exports also work, but JSON is the format the tracker reads most reliably.

Quick Steps

1. Open Meta Accounts Center: Visit https://accountscenter.instagram.com/ and click “Create export”
2. Choose your Instagram profile from the list of connected accounts
3. Select “Export to device” — this keeps your data private
4. Select only “Followers and following”: Customize › Clear all › check ONLY “Followers and following” ← Critical step!
5. Set date range to “All time” for your complete follower history
6. Change format to JSON (HTML also works; JSON is read most reliably)
7. Review and click “Start export” — verify: Followers and following, All time, JSON
8. Wait for the email (usually 5-30 minutes) and download the ZIP file
9. Upload the ZIP to Instagram Unfollow Tracker using the upload button

JSON vs HTML: Why Format Matters

Choosing HTML instead of JSON has historically been the #1 cause of upload errors. The tracker now reads HTML exports through a built-in converter, but JSON remains the format it reads most reliably.

Comparison Table

How to Tell Which Format You Have

JSON format — Inside the ZIP you’ll see files like:

connections/followers_and_following/following.json
connections/followers_and_following/followers_1.json

HTML format — Inside the ZIP you’ll see files like:

connections/followers_and_following/following.html
connections/followers_and_following/followers_1.html

Already downloaded HTML? Try uploading it — the tracker reads HTML exports too. If it cannot find your follower lists inside, re-request the export in JSON: Meta Accounts Center › Create export › Select your profile › Export to device › Only “Followers and following” › All time › Format: JSON.

Detailed Instructions

Step 1: Open the Instagram Export Page

• Go directly to https://accountscenter.instagram.com/
• This is the unified center for all Meta accounts (Instagram, Facebook, etc.)
• Log in with your Instagram credentials if asked, then click “Create export”

Step 2: Choose Your Instagram Profile

• Select your Instagram account from the list of connected profiles in the Accounts Center

Step 3: Select “Export to device”

• Choose to export directly to your device
• This keeps your data private and secure

Step 4: Select Only “Followers and following”

This is the most critical step. An export without it has no follower data to analyze.

• Click “Customize” › Clear all › check ONLY “Followers and following”
• Do not select other sections like posts, messages, or profile information
• These are not needed for unfollow tracking and will make your download larger and slower

Step 5: Set Date Range to “All time”

• Click “Date range” › Select “All time” › Save
• This ensures you have your complete follower history for accurate tracking

Step 6: Change Format to JSON

• Click “Format” › Select “JSON”
• HTML exports also work, but JSON is the format the tracker reads most reliably
• JSON and HTML ZIP files look identical from the outside (both are .zip files)
• The only way to tell them apart is by opening them and checking the file extensions inside

Step 7: Review & Start Export

• Verify your settings show: Followers and following, All time, JSON
• Click “Start export”

Step 8: Wait for Email & Download

• Instagram emails you when ready (usually 5-30 minutes; check Spam folder too!)
• Download the ZIP file from the provided link (link expires in 4 days)

Step 9: Upload Your File

• Go to safeunfollow.app/upload and upload the ZIP file
• Analysis happens instantly, 100% in your browser

File Structure Inside the ZIP

The Instagram data export ZIP contains a specific folder structure. Instagram Unfollow Tracker looks for files at these paths:

your-instagram-export.zip
└── connections/
    └── followers_and_following/
        ├── following.json          ← Who you follow
        ├── followers_1.json        ← Your followers (part 1)
        ├── followers_2.json        ← Your followers (part 2, if many)
        ├── followers_3.json        ← (additional parts as needed)
        ├── close_friends.json      ← Close friends list (optional)
        ├── pending_follow_requests.json  ← Pending requests (optional)
        ├── recently_unfollowed_profiles.json  ← Recent unfollows (optional)
        └── restricted_profiles.json     ← Restricted accounts (optional)

What Each File Contains

following.json — List of accounts you follow:

{
  "relationships_following": [
    {
      "title": "",
      "media_list_data": [],
      "string_list_data": [
        {
          "href": "https://www.instagram.com/username",
          "value": "username",
          "timestamp": 1704067200
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

followers_1.json — Your followers list (same structure, key is "relationships_followers").

The tracker reads these JSON arrays, extracts usernames and timestamps, and cross-references them to identify:

• Unfollowers — accounts in your following but not in followers
• Non-mutuals — accounts you follow that don’t follow back
• Mutuals — accounts that follow each other

If Your Structure Differs

If your archive has a different folder structure, the tracker will try to locate files by name anywhere in the ZIP. You can also use the sample data demo to test the app.

Common Errors and Solutions

“We couldn’t read this export” (HTML) Error

Problem: This is an HTML export, and the tracker could not find your follower lists inside it. Solution: Ask Instagram for the same export in JSON: Meta Accounts Center › Create export › Select your profile › Export to device › Only “Followers and following” › All time › Format: JSON. That version is the one the tracker reads most reliably.

“No Data Found” Error

Problem: The ZIP doesn’t contain follower/following data files. Solutions:

1. Make sure you selected “Followers and following” when configuring the export (Customize › Clear all › check only it)
2. Verify the ZIP contains connections/followers_and_following/ folder

“Not an Instagram Export” Error

Problem: The uploaded file isn’t from Instagram’s official data export. Solution: Use the Meta Accounts Center to request your data. Don’t upload random ZIP files or exports from third-party apps.

File Size Expectations

Processing Time by Account Size

⚠️ Filter speed and search speed are design targets, not measurements — no benchmark harness exists in this repo, and the only 1M-scale test mocks IndexedDB entirely and asserts a 500ms ceiling.

Privacy and Security

Your Instagram data export contains personal information. Here’s how we handle it:

• 100% local processing — Your ZIP file is analyzed entirely in your browser
• No server uploads — your export never leaves your device
• No login required — We never ask for your Instagram password
• No tracking of your data — Only anonymous page analytics, which you can switch off in the footer
• Open source — View the code on GitHub

Keep your ZIP file secure and don’t share it with others. Delete it after analysis if you prefer.

Ready to Analyze?

1. Already have your JSON ZIP? → Upload it now
2. Need help downloading? → Follow our step-by-step guide
3. Want to try first? → Load sample data

Last updated: 2026-08-31