Downloading your Facebook data

Facebook packs the account's data into a file: photos, videos, posts, comments and messages. Before deleting an account, this is the only way to keep the content, and it also works as a simple backup.

What is a data download good for?

• Before deletion: a deleted account's content can't be requested later. Details: How to deactivate or permanently delete a Facebook account.
• Photo archive: old uploads land on the computer all at once, organized by album.
• Moving elsewhere: instead of a device, the export can also be sent to another service (for example a photo storage service).
• Overview: the file shows what data Facebook stores, such as ad interests and past logins.
• Regular backup: doing it once a year means photos aren't lost even if the account is lost or disabled. More on disabled accounts: Facebook account disabled or locked.

How to export

Accounts Center can also be opened directly: accountscenter.facebook.com. In newer versions it may be called “Meta Account”.

1. On a computer, click the profile picture; in the app, use the menu. Then open “Settings & privacy” → “Settings” → “Accounts Center”.
2. Under “Your information and permissions”, choose “Export your information” (on older versions: “Download your information”).
3. Click “Create export”, then select the Facebook profile.
4. With “Export to device”, the file goes to the computer or phone.
5. Set the details (covered in the next section), then click “Start export”. Facebook may also ask for the password.

What each option does

• Information: for a complete copy, request all available information. If only photos or messages are needed, selecting just those categories is enough: the file will be smaller and ready sooner.
• Date range: the default may be a shorter period. A full archive needs “All time”.
• Format: HTML can be read in a browser and is the better choice for most purposes. JSON is meant for loading into other programs.
• Media quality: high quality is recommended for a photo archive, but the file will be much larger.

Downloading and opening the file

The file is available only for a few days (typically 4); after that, a new request is needed.

1. The finished export appears on the “Export your information” page under “Available downloads”.
2. After clicking “Download”, the password has to be entered again.
3. Unzip the ZIP file. Large accounts may get several parts, which have to be downloaded one by one.
4. For the HTML format, open the main HTML file in the unzipped folder in a browser.

What to watch out for

• End-to-end encrypted Messenger chats are not included in the export. They can be downloaded separately in Messenger's settings, under message storage.
• Other people's photos in which the account owner is tagged are usually not included, only the account's own uploads.
• The file contains sensitive personal data: avoid downloading it on a shared computer, and never forward it to anyone.
• Never click links about data downloads from unknown senders: Common scams on Facebook and Messenger.