A few years ago, Facebook rolled out 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 bury the feature deep in your settings. 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 Start My Archive button.
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 Facebook 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. You’ll have to enter your password again before the download starts.
What is all this 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 what’s inside a Facebook archive. Notice how much information it includes. Then when you look deeper into each file, it gets even creepier.
Inside the archive, you’ll find a file called index.htm. This lets you browse through the archive in an offline webpage.
Take a second to scroll through each link on the left. You may find items with errors, like this video that didn’t download in the archive.
So, that’s all the data Facebook has on you. 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.
If you want to do the same thing with Google, check out Google Takeout.
26 Comments
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Denis Brown
I cannot find this on the UK version of Facebook. Is it only available in the US?
Morten
Thanks, I’ve looked fort this. Want to save my data before everyone goes for G+
Crystal
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
Adam
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
Ezell
very helpfull
addeht
the instruction are very easy to do..Thank you.
jacquiline
thanks a lot
dfghzz
what if this shit does not work it says you can download but there is NOTHING in the link
sara
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!
ANon
Thank you!
tdog
Thx
jen
thank you!
CC
Worked like charm. Downloaded all my pics. NOW, deleting all my info from FB!
Hershie
Worked beautifully! Thank you –
Mia Johnston
It does not work, I got an email saying that they could not download a copy oft facebook. Why?
mike
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!
Mister Frustrated
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..
John
Way more it worked for maybe u cud be at fault?
carmen
Thank you!
Rajshree
thankss alot i looked for for a downloader to download the pic whole day
fool me hahah well thankyou(Y)
lynn
can anyone tell me if I can download my facebook I have saved to another account or a new account
twotwentyeight
I have the same question… where’s the answer
Flavia Gray
Perfect! I thought I would have to do the last 6 years photos manually :-) Thanks x
Leyla
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?
Desiree
Leyla, did you ever figure this if you can keep the pictures if you delete your facebook?
Thomas Taylor
Um, not only is the General Account Settings layout completely different on FB vs. the pictures in your article. There is no link to download everything. What am I missing?