When you move your Mastodon account to a new instance, your followers should automatically follow the new account. But sometimes the move process fails silently, leaving your old followers stuck on the old profile. This problem happens when the handshake between the two instances is incomplete or when the old account is not properly configured. This article explains why the follower transfer fails and provides the exact steps to fix it.
Key Takeaways: Fixing Follower Transfer on Mastodon Account Move
- Preferences > Account > Move to a different account: Initiates the follower migration handshake to the new Mastodon account.
- Old account profile note: Must include the new account handle in the profile to prove ownership.
- Private browsing test: Verifies that the move confirmation is visible to other instances.
Why Mastodon Account Move Fails to Transfer Followers
Mastodon uses a federated handshake to move followers. The old instance sends a request to each follower’s instance, telling it to follow the new account. For this handshake to work, three conditions must be met:
First, the old account must have a profile note that contains the new account handle. Second, the new account must have a redirect pointer back to the old account. Third, both accounts must be unlocked and not suspended. If any of these conditions is missing, the transfer either does not start or fails partway through.
The most common hidden cause is that the old account was set to Manually approve followers. When the move handshake sends a follow request from the new account, the old instance treats it as a manual follow request that needs approval. If the old account owner does not approve that request, the handshake never completes.
Steps to Transfer Followers Between Mastodon Instances
Perform these steps in exact order. Do not skip any step.
- Log into the old Mastodon account
Open the instance where your old account lives. Go to Preferences > Account. Scroll to the section labeled Move to a different account. - Add the new account handle to your old profile
In the old account profile settings, add a note that includes your new account handle. For example: I moved to @username@newinstance.social. This note must be visible to anyone viewing your old profile. - Set the new account to redirect
Log into your new Mastodon account. Go to Preferences > Account. Under Move from a different account, enter the full handle of your old account: @oldusername@oldinstance.social. Click Save. - Initiate the move from the old account
Back on the old account, go to Preferences > Account > Move to a different account. Enter the full handle of your new account. Click Move Followers. - Approve the follow request from the old instance
If the old account had Manually approve followers enabled, log into the old account and check for a pending follow request from the new account. Approve that request. This unlocks the handshake. - Wait for federation to propagate
Follower transfer is not instant. Wait 15 to 30 minutes. Check the new account’s follower list. If followers appear, the transfer succeeded.
If Mastodon Still Does Not Transfer Followers
Old account profile note is missing
Some instances require a visible note on the old profile. Go to the old account profile page. If the new handle is not shown, edit the profile and add it. Then repeat the move process from step 4.
New account is set to private or locked
If the new account has Lock account enabled, the follower transfer may be blocked. Temporarily disable Lock account in Preferences > Account. After the transfer completes, you can re-enable it.
Old account is suspended or deactivated
A suspended account cannot initiate a move. If your old account was suspended by the instance admin, you cannot transfer followers. Contact the old instance admin to request reinstatement, or accept that followers will be lost.
Follower instances reject the move
Some Mastodon servers block automated follow requests from unknown accounts. In that case, followers on those instances will not transfer. You can ask those followers to manually follow your new account.
Mastodon Account Move vs Manual Follow Request
| Item | Account Move Transfer | Manual Follow Request |
|---|---|---|
| Follower action required | None | Each follower must manually click Follow |
| Old account remains | Redirects to new account | Old account stays active |
| Follower count retention | Transferred to new account | Not transferred |
| Time to complete | 15–30 minutes | Immediate after each manual follow |
| Works across instances | Yes | Yes |
If the account move fails repeatedly, a manual follow request is the fallback. Post a status on the old account asking followers to follow the new handle. This method is slower but works even when the automated handshake cannot complete.
After the move succeeds, the old account will display a banner stating that the user has moved to the new account. This banner appears automatically once the handshake is verified. You can now use the new account as your primary Mastodon identity. For future moves, always confirm that Manually approve followers is disabled on both accounts before starting the process.