Have you ever wondered what happened to that friend request you sent on Facebook months ago? Whether you’re trying to keep your connections tidy, cancel pending requests, or simply satisfy your curiosity, knowing how to see sent friend requests on Facebook can be surprisingly useful.
This simple yet often-overlooked feature is hidden a few layers deep, and many users are unaware of its existence. But don’t worry — in this complete guide, we’ll walk you through how to view your sent friend requests on Facebook, whether you’re using the mobile app, desktop, or Facebook Lite.
By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly where to look and how to manage your pending friend requests like a pro.
Why You Might Want to See Your Sent Friend Requests
There are several good reasons why users search for how to see sent friend requests on Facebook:
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You want to cancel requests sent to people you no longer wish to connect with
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You’re unsure if someone received your request or if you forgot to send it
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You’re managing your privacy or digital footprint
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You’re cleaning up old or forgotten requests
Pending friend requests can sometimes go unnoticed — and Facebook doesn’t notify you when a request is ignored or deleted. That’s why manually reviewing your sent friend requests can be helpful.
How to See Sent Friend Requests on Facebook (Mobile App – iOS & Android)
Follow these steps if you’re using the Facebook mobile app:
1. Open the Facebook app on your phone
2. Tap the Friends icon (two human figures) at the bottom of the screen (iPhone) or the top (Android)
3. On the Friends page, tap “See All” next to “Friend Requests.“
4. On the next screen, tap the three-dot menu (⋯) or “See All” in the top-right corner (depending on the version)
5. Tap “View Sent Requests.”
You’ll now see a list of all the pending friend requests you’ve sent that haven’t been accepted yet.
How to Cancel a Sent Request
Next to each name, tap “Cancel” to withdraw the friend request.
Tip: Facebook doesn’t notify users when a friend request is canceled, so you can do this discreetly.
How to See Sent Friend Requests on Facebook (Desktop – Web Browser)
Prefer using a computer? Here’s how you can view your sent requests via a web browser.
1. Go to Facebook.com and log in
2. Click the Friends icon (two heads) in the top-right corner
3. Click “See All” at the bottom of the dropdown menu
4. This takes you to the Friend Requests page
5. On the left sidebar (or at the top depending on layout), click “View Sent Requests”
Just like in the app, you’ll see all your unaccepted friend requests.
Canceling on Desktop
To cancel a request, hover over the “Friend Request Sent” button and click “Cancel Request.”
How to See Sent Friend Requests Using Facebook Lite
If you’re using Facebook Lite, the process is slightly different:
1. Open the Facebook Lite app
2. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines)
3. Tap “Friends.”
4. Tap “Requests” and then “See All.”
5. Scroll down and tap “Sent Requests.”
Now you can view and manage any friend requests you’ve sent that are still pending.
Bonus: How to Check Friend Requests from the Facebook Activity Log
If you want a more detailed breakdown of your Facebook activity, including sent friend requests, you can use the Activity Log feature.
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Go to your Facebook profile
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Tap the three dots (…) under your profile picture
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Select “Activity Log.”
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Tap “Connections” > “Added Friends” or “Sent Requests.”
Here, you can find timestamps for when you sent requests and see a history of connections.
Can You See If Someone Declined Your Friend Request?
Unfortunately, Facebook does not notify you when someone declines or deletes your friend request. If the request disappears from your sent list and you still can’t see their profile or send a new request, it likely means:
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They declined it
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They deleted your request
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Their privacy settings restrict friend requests
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You’ve been blocked
How Many Friend Requests Can You Send?
Facebook has limits to prevent spam and abuse:
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You can’t send unlimited friend requests, especially to people you have no mutual friends with
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Too many unanswered requests may trigger a warning or temporary restriction
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Facebook may block or limit your ability to send requests for violating these limits
To stay within the rules, send friend requests only to people you know or who are likely to accept.
How to Keep Track of Friend Requests in the Future
If you regularly send friend requests, it’s smart to keep them organized. Here’s how:
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Review your sent requests once a month
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Cancel old or unaccepted requests to clean up your list
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Use Facebook lists or personal notes to track professional or networking contacts
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Respect other users’ privacy — don’t resend a request if it was declined
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to see sent friend requests on Facebook helps you take more control over your social media presence. Whether you’re networking, reconnecting with old friends, or just doing some digital cleanup, this simple feature can make a big difference.
As Facebook continues to evolve, understanding how to navigate its features — especially lesser-known ones like this — can enhance your experience and protect your privacy.
So next time you’re wondering, “Did I ever send them a request?”, now you know exactly where to check.
FAQs: How to See Sent Friend Requests on Facebook
Will the other person know if I cancel a friend request on Facebook?
No, Facebook does not send any notification when you cancel a friend request. If the person hasn’t accepted it yet, they will no longer see the request in their pending list. It quietly disappears without alerting them.
Can I send another friend request if I cancel the first one?
Yes, but there’s a catch. If the person hasn’t responded to your first request and you cancel it, you may need to wait a few days before sending a new one. If they declined or deleted your first request, Facebook may block you from sending another request for some time.
Why can’t I find someone in my sent requests list?
There are a few reasons:
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The person accepted your request, and they’re now your friend
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They deleted or declined the request
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You canceled it earlier
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They’ve changed their privacy settings or blocked you
Is there a way to view sent requests from years ago?
Yes, the best way to do this is by using the Activity Log on your profile. Go to your profile > tap the three dots > Activity Log > Connections. This will show friend requests with time stamps, even from years back, if they’re still recorded.
Can I view sent friend requests on Facebook if my account is restricted?
If your account is restricted (due to unusual activity or violations), some features may be temporarily disabled — including friend request functions. You may not be able to view, send, or cancel requests until the restriction is lifted.