Download an official export from each account you want to keep. Here, “all” means separate exports for each platform, not a promise that every historical item will be present: TikTok says some data from the last 24 to 48 hours and data affecting other people's privacy may be unavailable; Snapchat says some older information or saved chats may no longer be available; and Google says changes made while an archive is being created may not be included. TikTok, Snapchat, and Google Takeout document these limits.

Choose the export format before you request it

Facebook describes HTML as an easy-to-view format in an extracted ZIP. It describes JSON as machine-readable and says it may help when uploading information to another service. Read Facebook's format guidance. X also says its archive can be downloaded in HTML and JSON files. See X's archive documentation.

Choose the official format you need, then avoid repeated manual downloads or screenshots for supported public profiles: SocialGuardian says it handles backups automatically in the background. Set up ongoing coverage.

Download Instagram data on iPhone, Android, or computer

On iPhone, go to Profile/profile picture > Menu > Meta Account > Your information and permissions > Export your information > Create export. Select the profile, choose Next, choose Export to device, customize the export, and choose Start export. Instagram's iPhone instructions document this route.

On Android, use Profile/profile picture > Menu > Meta Account > Your information and permissions > Export your information > Create export. Then select the profile, choose Next, choose Export to device, customize, and choose Start export. Instagram's Android instructions provide this flow.

On a computer, use More > Settings > Meta Account > Your information and permissions > Export your information > Create export. Select a profile, choose Next, choose Export to device, customize the export, and choose Start export. Instagram's computer instructions provide this flow.

Instagram says it may take up to 30 days to email an export link. When ready, the export is available for four days. Check the timing in Instagram's help.

Download Facebook data on computer or Android

On a computer, use profile picture > Settings & privacy > Settings > Meta Account > Your information and permissions > Export your information > Create export. Select the profile, choose Export to device, customize, then choose Start export. Facebook's computer instructions document the route.

On Android, use Menu > Settings & privacy > Settings > Meta Account > Your information and permissions > Export your information > Create export. Select the profile, choose Next, choose Export to device, customize, then choose Start export. Facebook's Android instructions document the route.

Facebook says a completed export is available in Available downloads for four days. It may ask for a password and additional verification before export begins. See Facebook's download requirements.

Request and retrieve your TikTok data

In the TikTok app, use Profile > Menu ☰ > Settings and privacy > Account > Download your data. Choose the information to include and a file format, then tap Request data. TikTok's official instructions document the request.

To retrieve it, return to Profile > Menu ☰ > Settings and privacy > Account > Download your data > Download data, then tap Download if it is ready. TikTok says the file is available for up to four days.

TikTok says preparation may take a few days. It also says some data from the last 24 to 48 hours may not be included and that some data affecting other people's privacy may not be downloadable. A data copy may include a username, watch-video history, comment history, and privacy settings; TikTok notes that this list is not exhaustive. Review TikTok's stated limits and contents.

TikTok preparation may take a few days, and its export can omit some recent data. For supported public profiles, SocialGuardian says it automatically backs up content every day, reducing reliance on a later manual retrieval. Start ongoing coverage.

Request an X archive on desktop or Android

On desktop, use the more icon in the navigation bar, select Your account, then select Download an archive of your data. Enter your password, confirm identity with a code, then choose Request data. Follow X's desktop archive instructions.

On Android, use the top-menu/profile icon, then Settings and privacy > Account > Your X data and verify your identity. Under Download your data, tap Request data next to X. Follow X's Android archive instructions.

X says preparation may take a few days and requires a confirmed email address. It also advises being logged in to X in the same browser used to download the archive. When the archive is ready, X sends an email or push notification; from settings, select Download data, then use the email's Download button while logged in to download the ZIP. See X's archive instructions.

X says an archive may include profile information, posts, Direct Messages, attached media, followers, following, address book, lists, inferred interests or demographics, and ad information. See X's stated archive contents.

Download LinkedIn data on the web

On the web, use Me > Settings & Privacy > Data Privacy > How LinkedIn uses your data > Download your data. Select the data and choose Request archive. LinkedIn's download instructions document the route.

LinkedIn says this feature is currently unavailable on mobile and recommends downloading from a personal rather than public computer. It returns only data categories applicable to the account. LinkedIn says a specific-data request can arrive within minutes, while a larger download can arrive within 24 hours; the link is available for 72 hours. Read LinkedIn's timing and device guidance.

Export YouTube and Google account data with Google Takeout

Sign in to your Google Account and open Google Takeout. Google says products you use and that hold your data are automatically selected. Leave products selected or uncheck them, optionally narrow product data, then choose Next step. Google's Takeout instructions document the process.

Google Takeout lets you choose email or cloud delivery, a one-time or scheduled export, ZIP or TGZ files, and a maximum archive size. Google says exports larger than the chosen maximum can be split into multiple archives. Its exportable products include email, documents, calendar, photos, YouTube videos, and registration/account activity. Downloading Google data does not delete it from Google's servers. See Google's export options.

Google says an archive can take from a few minutes to a few days, and that most people get the link the same day. Changes made between the request and archive creation may not be included. Check Google's timing note.

Request Reddit and Discord data

For Reddit, use a computer web browser. Visit reddit.com/settings/data-request, log in to the account, follow the instructions, and click Submit. Reddit says preparation may take up to 30 days. When it is ready, Reddit sends a download link to the Reddit inbox or, in some cases, to a verified account email. Follow Reddit's official request instructions.

On Discord desktop or in a browser, use the cogwheel > User Settings > Data & Privacy > Request your data > Request Data. Select data and confirm with Request My Data. On mobile, use avatar > Settings (cogwheel) > Data & Privacy > Request all of my data, select the data, and tap Request My Data. Discord's Data Package guide documents both flows.

Discord describes its Data Package as a ZIP containing account data such as messages, current servers, and activity; files inside are JSON. It says the package should arrive within 30 days, the link is emailed to the account address and remains active for 30 days, and disabling or deleting the account before the link arrives cancels the request. Read Discord's package details.

Request Snapchat and Pinterest data

For Snapchat, log in at accounts.snapchat.com, or reach the request from the app through Settings > My Data. Click My Data, select categories and a date range, confirm the notification email, and click Submit. When ready, use See exports > Download to receive a ZIP file. Snapchat's official instructions document the flow.

Snapchat says it aims to deliver data within seven days, though large downloads can take longer, and recommends requesting from a computer. Its downloadable categories include login and account information, public profiles, Snap history, saved chat history, Memories, purchases, support history, friends, location, search history, and Bitmoji. Snapchat also says retention periods differ, categories can change, and some older information or saved chats may no longer be available for download. Review Snapchat's delivery and data notes.

On Pinterest web, log in, select the more-options-refresh icon at the bottom left, then Settings > Privacy and data > Request your data > Start request. On mobile, log in, tap the profile picture at bottom right, then the profile photo at top left, then Privacy and data > Request your data > Start request. Pinterest's official instructions document both routes.

Pinterest says only the account holder can access data after identity verification and that it may take up to 48 hours to email a download link to the account address through SendSafely. See Pinterest's timing and access guidance.

Verify and preserve the export after it arrives

Use this request -> ready -> download -> verify -> store workflow for each service:

  • Request: choose the account data or categories and file format that the platform offers.
  • Ready: monitor the documented delivery channel and timing. For example, TikTok may take a few days; Instagram may take up to 30 days to email a link; Google Takeout may take from a few minutes to a few days; and Reddit may take up to 30 days. TikTok, Instagram, Google, and Reddit provide these timeframes.
  • Download: retrieve the file before the platform's availability window closes. TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook say exports are available for four days; LinkedIn says 72 hours; and Discord says its link remains active for 30 days. TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Discord document these windows.
  • Verify: open the downloaded archive and check that the data categories you requested are present. Treat documented limits as part of the check: TikTok can omit the last 24 to 48 hours and privacy-affected data; Snapchat can omit older information or saved chats; Google can omit changes made while the archive was being created; and Google may split an export into multiple archives when it exceeds the selected maximum size. TikTok, Snapchat, and Google explain these conditions. Test that the archive can be restored fully and partially: CISA says scheduled recovery tests verify backup integrity. Read CISA's guidance.
  • Store: keep a secure copy separately from the primary system. CISA's 3-2-1 guideline is three copies of important files, two different storage-media types, and one copy off-site. CISA also recommends physical security, encryption, offline copies, and recovery testing. See CISA's backup guidance.

For sensitive backups, CISA recommends an external hard drive or a properly vetted cloud service and says to encrypt backups. Read CISA's encryption guidance.

Add ongoing backup coverage for supported public profiles

SocialGuardian lists Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitch, and Pinterest as supported platforms. It says setup uses only a public username and does not require a password or login, and that the archive can be downloaded or restored. Read the SocialGuardian overview.

Keep automatic daily backups of supported posts, stories, and videos alongside your official exports. Start with a public profile handle or URL - no password or login is required. Add a supported profile.

FAQ

How do I choose HTML versus JSON for a data export?

Facebook says HTML is easy to view in an extracted ZIP. It says JSON is machine-readable and may make it easier to transfer information to another service. Facebook's format explanation.

How long does a social media data download take?

The documented timing differs by service: Instagram says an email link may take up to 30 days; TikTok says preparation may take a few days; LinkedIn says a larger download can arrive within 24 hours; and Google says an archive can take from a few minutes to a few days. Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Google provide these timeframes.

What information is included in a social media data archive?

Contents vary by platform. X lists profile information, posts, Direct Messages, attached media, followers, following, address book, lists, inferred interests or demographics, and ad information. TikTok says its copy may include a username, watch-video history, comment history, and privacy settings, and that its list is not exhaustive. X and TikTok describe these categories.

How do I verify that a social media archive is complete?

Open the archive, check the categories you requested, and test that it can be restored fully and partially. CISA says scheduled recovery tests verify backup integrity. Also account for the documented platform limits: TikTok can omit the last 24 to 48 hours and privacy-affected data, Snapchat can omit older information or saved chats, and Google can omit changes made during archive creation. CISA, TikTok, Snapchat, and Google provide this guidance.

How do I download Instagram data on iPhone or Android?

On both iPhone and Android, Instagram documents Profile/profile picture > Menu > Meta Account > Your information and permissions > Export your information > Create export. Select the profile, choose Next, choose Export to device, customize, and choose Start export. iPhone instructions and Android instructions cover the two apps.

How do I download Facebook data?

Facebook's computer path is profile picture > Settings & privacy > Settings > Meta Account > Your information and permissions > Export your information > Create export. Select the profile, choose Export to device, customize, then choose Start export. Facebook's official help has the full instructions.

Can I download YouTube videos and account data with Google Takeout?

Google says Takeout can export data for products including YouTube videos and registration/account activity. Google Takeout documentation also explains product selection, delivery, export type, file type, and archive-size choices.

Where should I store my downloaded social media archive?

CISA's 3-2-1 guideline is three copies of important files, two storage-media types, and one copy off-site. It also recommends encrypting sensitive backups. CISA backup guidance and CISA encryption guidance provide the details.