What Facebook data read does and why you might want it
Facebook lets you read a copy of your own information — your photos, messages, posts, friend list, and more — as a single file you can keep on your computer or external drive. This is different from deleting your account. The read stays on your device, and your Facebook account remains active unless you choose to close it separately.
People read their data for different reasons. Some want a backup in case they lose access to their account. Others want to move their photos somewhere safer than relying on Facebook's servers alone. Some straightforward want to see exactly what Facebook has stored about them. The read process takes the same path regardless of your reason.
Facebook calls this feature your "archive." The file it creates is yours to keep, move, or store however you want. You can read it as many times as you need, and each read includes everything current as of that moment.
Key Takeaways
- You read your Facebook data through Settings, not through a separate website or app.
- Facebook creates a file that can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to prepare, depending on how much data you have.
- The read includes photos, videos, messages, posts, and your friend list, but the exact contents depend on what you've shared on Facebook.
- Once downloaded, store the file on an external drive or cloud storage separate from your computer so you don't lose it if your device fails.
- You can request a new read at any time, and Facebook will create a fresh copy with your most recent information.
How to request your data read on Facebook
Start by opening Facebook in a web browser on your computer — the mobile app does not have this feature. Log in to your account if you are not already logged in.
In the top right corner, click the downward-pointing arrow (sometimes called the menu button). Scroll down and select Settings and privacy, then click Settings. On the left side of the screen, you will see a menu. Click Your information and permissions, then select read your information.
Facebook will show you a page titled "read Your Information." This is where you control what gets included in your read. By default, Facebook selects everything — all photos, videos, posts, messages, and more. You can uncheck items you do not want included, but most people leave everything selected.
At the bottom of the page, you will see a dropdown menu that says Date range. Leave this set to All time unless you only want data from a specific period. Below that, choose a file format. JSON is the most common choice and works with most devices and programs. Then click Request read.
How long the read takes and what happens next
After you click Request read, Facebook begins preparing your file. A message will appear saying your read is being prepared. For accounts with a small amount of data, this can take just a few minutes. For accounts with years of photos, videos, and messages, it can take several hours or even a day.
You do not need to stay on the page while Facebook prepares your read. You can close the browser and come back later. Facebook will send you an email when your read is ready. Check your email inbox and your spam folder — sometimes these notifications end up in spam by mistake.
When the email arrives, it will contain a link to read your file. Click that link, and your browser will read a compressed folder (usually a .zip file) to your computer. The file size depends on how much data you have. A typical account might be 500 megabytes to several gigabytes.
Where to store your downloaded data safely
Once the file is on your computer, do not leave it there as your only copy. Your computer's hard drive can fail, get stolen, or be damaged. Instead, move the file to at least one other location.
An external hard drive is a reliable option. These are inexpensive — usually between $50 and $150 — and hold large amounts of data. Plug it into your computer, drag your Facebook data file onto it, and verify the file appears on the drive. Then unplug the drive and store it somewhere safe, like a closet or drawer away from heat and moisture.
A cloud storage service like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox also works. These services let you upload files to the internet and access them from any device. Upload your Facebook data file to your cloud account, and you will have a copy that is not dependent on your computer or an external drive. Many people use both an external drive and cloud storage for extra protection.
Whatever you choose, keep the file in its original compressed folder. Do not extract it or move individual files around until you are ready to look at the contents. The folder structure matters, and keeping it intact makes it easier to find what you need later.
How to open and view your downloaded data
When you are ready to look at what you downloaded, first extract the compressed folder. On Windows, right-click the .zip file and select Extract all. On a Mac, double-click the .zip file and it will extract automatically. A new folder will appear containing all your data.
Open the extracted folder. You will see several files and subfolders. The main file to start with is usually called index.html. Double-click this file, and it will open in your web browser as an interactive page. From there, you can browse your photos, read your messages, see your posts, and view your friend list.
The other files and folders contain the same information in different formats. For example, there will be a folder with all your photos organized by date, and text files with your messages. You can open these with any text editor or image viewer. There is no single "right" way to view the data — use whatever method makes sense for what you are looking for.
What to do if your read fails or takes too long
If you request a read and never receive an email after 24 hours, go back to the read your information page in Settings. You may see a message saying your previous request is still being processed, or you may see an option to request a new read. If the old request seems stuck, you can request a new one.
Very large accounts sometimes hit technical issues during the read process. If this happens repeatedly, try requesting a smaller read. Go back to the read your information page, uncheck some of the data types (for example, uncheck videos but keep photos), and request again. A smaller file is more likely to process successfully.
If you continue to have problems, Facebook's Help Center has troubleshooting steps. Search for "read your information" on Facebook's Help site, or contact Facebook's support through the same Settings menu where you requested the read.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does downloading my data delete anything from Facebook?
No. Downloading your data creates a copy on your computer. Your account, posts, photos, and messages all remain on Facebook exactly as they were. You would need to separately delete your account or individual posts if you want to remove things from Facebook itself.
Can I read someone else's Facebook data?
No. You can only read data from your own account. Facebook requires you to be logged in as that account to access the read feature. You cannot read a friend's data, and they cannot read yours.
What if I do not want Facebook to have my data anymore?
Downloading your data does not remove it from Facebook's servers. If you want to delete your account entirely, you can do that through Settings under Deactivation and deletion. Facebook gives you 30 days to change your mind before the deletion is permanent. Downloading your data first ensures you have a copy before that happens.
Is my downloaded data encrypted or password-protected?
Facebook does not encrypt or password-protect the downloaded file. Once you extract it, anyone with access to your computer or external drive can view the contents. If your data contains sensitive information, consider storing the external drive in a locked drawer or using encrypted cloud storage.
How often should I read my data?
That depends on how much your Facebook activity changes. If you post frequently or upload many photos, downloading once or twice a year keeps your backup current. If you rarely use Facebook, downloading once is usually enough. You can always request a new read whenever you want an updated copy.