Today Facebook is rolling out two new updates. One of them is concerning user groups, and the other is a feature that will allow you to download ALL of your user data. It reminds me of a lot of filing for Discovery when you are fighting a court case; you get a copy of all the dirt that the prosecution has on you. In this case, you get to see exactly what Facebook knows about you.
The process of downloading your data isn’t complicated, but just like deleting your Facebook account they’ve decided to make it obscure and hypocritical as annoyingly possible. When you download a copy of your Facebook data, it will come in a .zip formatted archive. Windows can easily extract this with its built-in software, or you can use a program like 7-zip or WinRar.
How To Download All of Your Facebook Data
From your Facebook account go into your Account Settings.
Then under General Account Settings, click the “Download a Copy” link.
On the next screen click the Download Archive button. Then it will prompt you to type in your Facebook password again.
After entering your password the second time, you’ll get a message that the archive is requested and an email will be sent when it’s ready to download.
At this point, you will have to play the waiting game. The amount of time that Facebook takes to put together your download can vary. For some, it will be instant, but for others, it could take several hours or days. I think it may have something to do with how many videos or photos you have uploaded to your account. Just keep checking your email periodically until it shows up.
Eventually, the email should arrive in your inbox with the title “Your download is ready.” Click the link in your email that is provided by the Facebook team.
Read this article for details on how Facebook Phishing scams work and can take over your account.
Then download the zip file of the data from your Facebook profile to a convenient and secure location on your computer.
What is all Facebook data? Check out this official Facebook site to learn everything that will be indexed and downloaded. After getting your archive, you’ll be surprised at how much of your browsing history, friend requests, and other personal information and information of your friends is included!
Here’s a look at our Editor-in-Chief’s Facebook archive. Notice how much information it includes. Then when you look deeper into each file, it gets even creepier.
If that freaks you out and you’d rather not be part of the social network, check out our article: How To Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account.
I cannot find this on the UK version of Facebook. Is it only available in the US?
Thanks, I’ve looked fort this. Want to save my data before everyone goes for G+
after it finishes downloading and it is on my computer it wont open and i know its not my computer as i just bought this morning
Excellent. Finally got all my photos down loaded to backup HD. I’m no computer expert. Your instructions was very easy to follow.
WELL DONE SIR
Thank you
the instruction are very easy to do..Thank you.
thanks a lot
what if this shit does not work it says you can download but there is NOTHING in the link
I’m having the same issue. I got an email from fb saying that it’s ready to download but when I downloaded and tried to open, there was nothing in the archive ….. HELP!
Thank you!
Thx
thank you!
Worked like charm. Downloaded all my pics. NOW, deleting all my info from FB!
Worked beautifully! Thank you –
It does not work, I got an email saying that they could not download a copy oft facebook. Why?
i find that http://fbdld.com is really easy way to download full facebook albums you want to backup and download to your computer. it enables you to download entire albums in bulk as a zip file!
nice thing about it is that you dont need to install anything on your computer!
It really stinks that the author chooses to write these supposed “it’s so easy” article, but ignores his readers when they leave comments asking him to respond..I just stumbled across this blog quite on accident and think Austin’s disrespect towards his readers is a disgrace to the rest of us that blog.
Shame on you little man..
Way more it worked for maybe u cud be at fault?
Thank you!
thankss alot i looked for for a downloader to download the pic whole day
fool me hahah well thankyou(Y)
can anyone tell me if I can download my facebook I have saved to another account or a new account
I have the same question… where’s the answer
Perfect! I thought I would have to do the last 6 years photos manually 🙂 Thanks x
Just wondering. If I did this and then deleted my facebook would it not work anymore or would I still hae it saved on my computer even if it’s been deleted online?
Leyla, did you ever figure this if you can keep the pictures if you delete your facebook?