Your data
How to download your X archive (and what's inside)
Request your X data archive in Settings, confirm your identity, wait for the email, then download the ZIP and find your posts inside. Checked November 2026.
Short answer
On x.com go to More, Settings and privacy, Your account, Download an archive of your data; confirm your password and a verification code, request the archive, then download the ZIP from the same page when X emails you that it is ready.
Key takeaways
- Request the archive from Settings and privacy > Your account > Download an archive of your data.
- X asks for your password and a verification code before it starts preparing the file.
- Preparation is not instant; it can take from several hours to a few days.
- Download the ZIP soon after the email arrives; the link does not last forever.
- Open Your archive.html in a browser to browse; the raw data sits in the data folder as .js files.
Your X archive is a ZIP file with the posts, media and account data X keeps for you. It is the only complete, official copy you can get, and it is worth having whether you plan to leave, want a backup, or just want to search your own history. The steps below were checked against X's help pages and recent independent guides in November 2026. X changes menu labels from time to time, so if a name differs slightly, look for the closest match.
What is the X archive?
The X archive is a downloadable ZIP of your account data that X prepares on request, including your posts, media and account information.
Inside the ZIP you will typically find:
| Item | What it is |
|---|---|
Your archive.html |
A page you open in a browser to browse and search the archive offline |
data/ folder |
The raw data as JavaScript (.js) files, one per type, such as posts, likes, followers and account details |
| media files | Images and videos you attached to posts and messages |
assets/ folder |
The scripts and styles that make the browsable page work |
The .js files contain JSON with a short JavaScript prefix. Developers often strip the prefix and load the rest as JSON.
How do you request the archive on x.com?
Open Settings and privacy, choose Your account, select Download an archive of your data, verify yourself, then request the archive.
- Log in on x.com in a desktop browser.
- Click More in the left menu, then Settings and privacy.
- Choose Your account.
- Select Download an archive of your data.
- Enter your password when asked.
- X sends a verification code by email or text message. Enter it.
- Click Request archive.
On the mobile app the path is similar: tap your profile picture, then Settings and privacy, Your account, Download an archive of your data. Some people find the final download easier on desktop.
How long does it take, and how will you know?
It takes anywhere from several hours to a few days, and X notifies you by email, plus a push notification if you use the app.
X does not publish a fixed time. Independent archivists note that it can take more than a day even for small accounts. Make sure the email address on your account is confirmed before you request, or the notice may not reach you. If nothing arrives after several days, go back to the same settings page; it may show the archive as ready, or let you resend the notice.
How do you download and open it?
Return to Download an archive of your data on x.com, click Download archive, save the ZIP, unzip it and open Your archive.html.
Do this soon after the email arrives. X does not say how long the download stays available, and guides report it expires after a short period, so treat it as days rather than weeks. Use the same browser where you are logged in to the account; a common failure is opening the link while logged in to a different account.
After unzipping, double-click Your archive.html. It opens offline, with a search box for your posts. Nothing is uploaded when you browse it.
What should you do with the archive?
Store it somewhere you control, keep a second copy, and request a fresh one before any big change to your account.
- Keep one copy on your computer and one in a backup location you trust.
- Note the date you downloaded it; the archive is a snapshot.
- Request a new one before you deactivate, change your handle or delete a large number of posts.
- If you planned posts in TweetDrive, export the Draft Vault to JSON at the same time. The archive holds what you posted; the vault export holds what you planned.
Is the archive the same as drafts?
No. The archive covers your account's posted history and data; unsent drafts may not be included, so back them up separately.
X stores drafts differently on the web and in the apps, and some drafts live only on the device where you wrote them. See X drafts and scheduling for details.
Questions people ask
How long does the X archive take?
X does not promise a fixed time. Reports range from a few hours to several days, and large accounts take longer. You get an email, and a notification if you use the app, when it is ready.
Can I download my archive from the X app?
You can request it from the app's settings, but downloading the file itself is easiest on x.com in a desktop browser, logged in to the same account.
Does the archive include deleted posts?
It is meant to reflect the data X holds about your account, and posts you deleted are generally not included in the posts file. Keep your own copies if you need a permanent record.
Should I download my archive before deactivating?
Yes. Request it and wait until you have the ZIP file saved before you deactivate. X cannot deliver the archive to an account that is no longer active.