How to Enable "Sort by Recent" on Instagram Following List

If you've been digging through your Instagram settings trying to find the "Sort by Recent" option for following lists, you are not alone.

It used to be so simple. You clicked "Following," and there it was: a neat, chronological list of everyone that person had just followed. You could easily see who was new, who was old, and exactly when connections were made.

Then, one day, it disappeared.

Now, the list is a jumbled mess of "Default" sorting, based on mutual friends and algorithms. But is the feature truly gone? Or is there a hidden setting to bring it back?

The "Hidden" Sort Setting

Many users believe there is a developer option or a specific app version that re-enables this feature. You might have seen tutorials telling you to:

1. Go to your own profile.
2. Click "Following".
3. Look for the "Sorted by" arrows.

Here is the catch: This ONLY works for your own profile. You can sort your following list by "Date Followed: Latest".

But what about viewing SOMEONE ELSE'S list?

If you go to a friend's profile (or an ex's, or a crush's) and try to sort their list, you'll notice the button is missing. Instagram deliberately removed this to protect user privacy and keep activity ambiguous.

So, how do you enable it for other profiles?

The "Easier Than a Setting" Solution

You don't need to hack the Instagram app, download an old APK, or mess with developer settings.

There is a much easier way to get a perfectly sorted, chronological list of who anyone is following.

You just type their username into BestieSpy.

How It Works

BestieSpy acts as a "Sort by Recent" button for the entire internet.

1. Enter the Username: Go to BestieSpy.com and type in the Instagram handle.
2. Get the List: We instantly pull the data and organize it for you.
3. See It Sorted: Our system automatically detects new follows and presents them in a clear, easy-to-read format.

It's actually better than the old Instagram feature because:

• It's Anonymous: They will never know you checked their list.
• It Tracks Changes: We highlight exactly who is new since the last time you checked.
• No Login Needed: You don't even need an Instagram account to use it.

Conclusion

Stop wasting time looking for a "Sort by Recent" button that Instagram removed years ago. The feature still exists—it just lives on BestieSpy now.

Want to see the list sorted right now? Click here to search a username and get the truth instantly.