← Back to all guidesTwitter/X keeps a surprisingly detailed record of your online life: tweets, direct messages, likes, bookmarks, lists, and account activity. You can request an archive from the account settings, but the files are not always obvious to interpret. This guide shows you what is inside, how to request it, and how to read it safely.
What Twitter/X stores
- Tweets and replies
- Direct messages
- Likes and bookmarks
- Lists and follower data
- Account history and login activity
- Advertisement interests and personalization data
How the export works
X usually provides a ZIP archive containing HTML and JSON files. Some sections are easy to browse in HTML, while others are better handled as JSON or CSV.
Requesting the archive can take a while, so it is normal to wait before the download becomes available.
How to request the export
- Open X and go to Settings and privacy.
- Open Your account.
- Choose Download an archive of your data.
- Confirm your identity if prompted.
- Request the archive and wait for the email or in-app notification.
- Download the ZIP file when it is ready.
What is inside the archive
- tweets.js or tweets.json — your tweet history
- likes.js — posts you liked
- direct_messages/ — message history
- account.js — profile and account metadata
- lists/ — lists you created or followed
- bookmarks.js — saved posts
What to do after downloading
- Keep the archive in a dated folder
- Review DMs and liked posts for sensitive data
- Store a backup copy in encrypted cloud storage if needed
Quick version
If you want the short checklist instead of the full guide, use the service page.
FAQ
Does the export include my direct messages?
Yes, if you request the full archive.
Can I read the archive in a browser?
Usually yes for the HTML files, but JSON is better for long-term storage.
Does downloading the archive delete my data?
No. Exporting creates a copy and does not remove anything from X.