How to Download Your Complete Facebook and Instagram Account Data Archive

Whether you are preparing to delete your social media accounts, archiving personal memories, or curious about the vast advertising and profile metadata Meta retains about you, downloading your complete account archive is the safest way to preserve your digital history.

Through Meta's unified Accounts Center, you can request an all-in-one ZIP package containing every photo, direct message thread, reel, and profile log across Facebook and Instagram.

What Is Included in Your Meta Data Download?

When you export your archive, you receive:

• Media: Full-resolution photos, videos, Stories, and Reels you have uploaded.
• Messages: Complete text conversations and voice memos from Facebook Messenger and Instagram Direct Messages.
• Interactions: Comments, likes, saved post collections, and poll responses.
• Account Metadata: Login session history, IP addresses, search logs, and third-party advertising tracking profiles.

Step-by-Step Guide to Export Your Data via Meta Accounts Center

You can request your data archive from any web browser or mobile app.

Step 1: Open Accounts Center

1. Open Instagram or Facebook on your phone or desktop browser.
2. Tap your Profile icon > Settings and privacy > Accounts Center.
3. Under Account settings, select Your information and permissions.
4. Tap Download your information.

Step 2: Configure Your Export Package

1. Tap Download or transfer information.
2. Choose whether you want data for All accounts (Facebook + Instagram) or a specific profile.
3. Select your export depth:

• All available information: Exports everything ever recorded on the account.
• Some of your information: Lets you select specific items (e.g., only Messages or only Posts).

1. Tap Download to device.

Step 3: Choose Format, Quality, and Date Range

1. Date range: Select All time for a complete lifetime archive, or choose a custom time frame.
2. Format:

• HTML: Best for human viewing. Open the folder in any browser to read formatted chats and view galleries easily.
• JSON: Best if you plan to import your data into another application or database.

1. Media quality: Select High to ensure videos and photos are exported in full resolution.
2. Tap Create files.

How to Download and Unpack Your Archive

1. Meta will process your request. Depending on your account age and photo volume, this takes between 15 minutes and 24 hours.
2. You will receive an email notification when the file is ready.
3. Return to Accounts Center > Download your information and click the Download button.
4. Enter your account password to verify your identity.
5. Extract the downloaded .zip file on your computer. Open index.html to explore your organized personal history offline!