How to Download Your X Data Archive (2026, 4 Steps)
Your X data archive is the only way to clean up tweets older than the ~3,200-tweet limit and to run a privacy check — scrolling through the UI will never get you there.
Why you need the archive
- X only lets you delete the most recent ~3,200 tweets — older ones are invisible in the UI; only the archive has them.
- The archive holds your full history — every tweet, retweet, like, and media file since 2009.
- A privacy check must be archive-based — only by parsing the archive can you scan for phone numbers, addresses, locations, and other risky content.
4 steps to download your X archive (2026)
Step 1: Sign in and open settings
Open X (twitter.com) → left menu → More → Settings and privacy.
Step 2: Find the data download entry
Settings → Your account → Download an archive of your data. X will ask you to re-verify your password and email.
Step 3: Request the archive and wait
Click Request archive → X processes your full history. Depending on account size this takes from a few hours to 1-2 days; you'll get an email or in-app notification with a link valid for ~24 hours.
Step 4: Download and unzip
Open the link → download the ZIP (can be hundreds of MB) → unzip and you'll find:
- tweets.js — all tweets (dates, text, URLs, media references); the core file for a privacy check
- data/ folder — images, videos, profile media
- account.js / following.js etc. — profile, follow lists, and other metadata
After you have the archive
Hand the ZIP (or the unzipped folder) to a digital footprint check tool — it parses the archive on your own device, scans for phone numbers, emails, addresses, locations, and other risky content, and produces a 0-100 health score plus a risk list. Your data never leaves your computer.
FAQ
Does downloading the archive cost money?
No — it's an official, free X feature.
Does the archive include deleted tweets?
No — deleted tweets are gone and won't appear. If you deleted tweets before, they are permanently removed.
How often is the archive generated?
Each time you request it, X generates a fresh copy. A good cadence is every 3-6 months for a routine check.
Can I just upload tweets.js instead of the whole folder?
Yes — tweets.js holds all the text data and is what a check tool mainly uses; media files don't affect the scan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I download my X data archive?
On X web: Settings → Your account → Download an archive of your data. Choose "all data", confirm, and X will package your full tweet history into a ZIP; you get an email when it is ready to download.
How long does X take to prepare the archive?
Usually anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours depending on account history size; older, larger accounts can take longer.
What format is the X archive in?
X returns a ZIP file containing HTML pages and data files such as tweets.js, where all tweets are stored as JSON.
Check your own X/Twitter footprint
Free on-device scan. Your archive never leaves your computer.
Start Free CheckRelated Reads
What Is a Digital Footprint Check for Your X Account?
Your tweets on X (Twitter) may carry privacy traces like phone numbers, home addresses, and locations — that is your digital footprint. A digital footprint check parses your X archive on-device and produces a 0-100 health score plus a risk list. 100% on-device: your data never leaves your computer.
How to Delete Old Tweets on X (Twitter) — The Complete 2026 Guide
Want to bulk-delete those old, embarrassing tweets on X/Twitter? This guide breaks down 5 methods — from manual deletion to local archive parsing — to help you find the safest, most efficient approach.
What's Inside the X Archive? tweets.js Explained
After you download your X archive, tweets.js is the file that matters — structured JSON of every tweet you ever posted. This post breaks down its internal format and how a privacy check reads it.