← Back to all guidesUpdated Sep 28, 2026
Apple's data archive is one of the most personal you can pull. Health records going back years, every iCloud Photo with its embedded location, all your messages, Siri transcripts, App Store and subscription history. The download lives at privacy.apple.com. A quiet corner of Apple's site that most people never find.
Written by Charles
Export at a glance
Request method
Separate web download
Archive format
XML, JSON, CSV, MediaFiles, ZIP
Sensitivity
High: health, biometric, financial, precise location
Primary use
Backup: preserve a copy for yourself
Archive file map
Top-level structure of the export. Each entry is a file or directory with its format badge and what it contains.
Apple ID account info/JSONAccount profile, name, email, registration date
App Store activity/JSONPurchases, subscriptions, ratings, app installs
Apple TV playtime/JSONApple TV viewing activity
Game Center data/JSONGame Center records: friends, scores, achievements
Health export/export.xmlXMLEvery health data point ever recorded on your Apple devices. Needs a converter app to read
iCloud Bookmarks/HTMLBookmarks synced via iCloud
Maps search history/JSONApple Maps searches and directions
Siri interactions/JSONSiri voice transcripts and interactions
Sign in with Apple apps/JSONList of apps you signed into with Apple
iCloud Drive/MediaFilesiCloud Drive files: downloaded separately via iCloud.com or sync client
iCloud Photos/MediaFilesiCloud Photos library: downloaded separately via iCloud.com or Photos app on Mac
What Apple knows about you
- iCloud Drive files
- iCloud Photos
- Health and Fitness data: steps, heart rate, sleep, workouts
- Location history
- Apple Maps searches and directions
- Siri interactions and voice data
- App Store purchase history
- Apple TV and Music activity
- Game Center records
- Calendar and Contacts
- Notes
- Reminders
- Safari history
- Sign in with Apple connections
- Financial transaction history: App Store, Apple Pay
Two separate exports: privacy.apple.com and iCloud content
There are two separate ways to get your Apple data, and they cover different things.
Apple's privacy data request can include selected iCloud data categories (including some photos, videos, and documents) but is not the same as a full iCloud content transfer. Large iCloud Photos libraries and the full Drive file tree typically need a separate iCloud download or sync to capture everything.
- privacy.apple.com data request: structured archive of account data and selected iCloud categories
- iCloud content backup: actual files: full Photos library and Drive file tree, downloaded separately
How to request from privacy.apple.com
- Go to privacy.apple.com.
- Sign in with your Apple ID.
- Select "Get a copy of your data".
- Choose which data categories to include.
- Click Continue.
- Choose your maximum file size.
- Submit the request.
- Wait for the email notification: typically takes a few days; very large accounts may take longer.
- Download the archive within 14 days of getting the email. After that the link is dead and the request has to be made again.
How to download your iCloud content
- Photos: go to iCloud.com, select all photos, and download. Or use the Photos app on Mac
- Drive files: go to iCloud.com > iCloud Drive and download
- On Mac: ensure iCloud sync is enabled and download all content locally
What is inside the archive
The privacy.apple.com archive is a ZIP containing structured folders for each data category.
- Apple ID account info
- App Store activity: purchases, subscriptions, ratings
- Apple TV playtime
- Game Center data
- Health export: XML file, the most detailed section
- iCloud Bookmarks
- Maps search history
- Siri interactions
- Sign in with Apple apps list
The Health export explained
The Health export is a single XML file (export.xml) containing every health data point ever recorded on your Apple devices.
It is large and not human-readable directly. Apps like Apple Health Auto Export or Health Export CSV can convert it into usable formats. Similar to Fitbit health data, the most valuable health wearables export.
How long it takes
- privacy.apple.com archive: typically a few days to prepare; Apple's page says "when the data is ready" without a hard cap
- The download link is good for 14 days once the archive is ready. Apple removes it after that and you have to request the whole thing again
- iCloud content: immediate if already synced locally, otherwise depends on library size
What to do after downloading
- Store the Health XML separately: it is the most sensitive file in the archive
- Keep iCloud Photos backup on an external drive
- Store an off-site copy in ProtonDrive (ProtonDrive) or pCloud (pCloud)
- Moving workouts to Garmin Connect: see the <a href="/guides/apple-health-to-garmin">Apple Health → Garmin guide</a> for the encrypted-backup + TCX workflow
Quick version
If you want the short checklist instead of the full guide, use the service page.
FAQ
Does the privacy.apple.com export include my iCloud Photos?
No. ICloud Photos require a separate download via iCloud.com or the Photos app on Mac.
How long does Apple take to prepare the export?
Typically a few days; large accounts may take longer. Apple's help page says "when the data is ready" without a hard cap.
What is the Health export file format?
XML. It needs a converter app like Apple Health Auto Export or Health Export CSV to read it in a useful way.
Does exporting delete my Apple data?
No. Exporting creates a copy. Your data stays on Apple servers unless you separately request deletion.
Can I export data for a family member?
No. Each Apple ID must submit its own request separately.
How do I download iCloud Photos?
Go to iCloud.com, select all photos, and download. On Mac, you can also use the Photos app with iCloud sync enabled.
Is my iMessage history included?
Limited metadata only: full messages are not included in the privacy.apple.com export.
How big is a typical Apple export?
It varies widely. The Health XML can be 100MB or more for long-term users. ICloud Photos can be hundreds of GB and must be downloaded separately.
Last verified: Sep 3, 2026. Steps checked against support.apple.com. Report an outdated step →