What Exactly Is in Your X Data Archive?
People often assume the archive is just a copy of their tweets. It is much more than that. Knowing the layout first makes the cleanup decision much easier. This FAQ covers the main parts and which ones to look at first. The layout is simple once you see it.
What the archive holds
Open the folder and these file names are the ones worth opening first.
- tweets.js: every tweet and retweet you posted.
- direct-messages.js: your private message history.
- media/: images and videos you uploaded.
- account-data/: devices, email, and connected apps tied to the account.
Which part matters most
The highest-risk items are tweets that carry a phone number or address, and any ID photos uploaded by mistake. Direct messages are easy to overlook because they are not in public search, yet a compromised account exposes every conversation.
Know your goal before downloading
Decide first whether you want to clean up privacy or just back up. The focus differs. For cleanup, watch tweets.js and media/. For backup, store the whole ZIP on an encrypted drive. Many people download the file, then realize they do not know where to look, and leave it sitting on the desktop, which is unsafe. Pay special attention to clear ID photos in media/ that you forgot you ever uploaded.
To get the archive, see the download guide. Upload it to the free check page and the tool flags these high-risk items on your own device, with the data never leaving your computer. The homepage links to the same tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see direct messages others sent me?
Yes. direct-messages.js holds the full conversation, not just what you sent.
How much space do the media files take?
It depends on how many images and videos you posted. For long-active accounts, the media folder is often larger than the tweets themselves.
What in the account information deserves attention?
account-data/ lists devices you logged in from, emails, and third-party apps. Watch for devices you do not recognize or apps you no longer use but still granted access.
Can search engines find this content?
The archive is a file you download; it is not online by default. The risk appears when an account is compromised or you upload it to an unsafe web tool.
Check your own X/Twitter footprint
Free on-device scan. Your archive never leaves your computer.
Start Free CheckRelated Reads
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After unzipping an X data archive, the largest folder is usually not text but images and video. This covers what the media folder actually contains, how the files are named, why some images are missing, and whether to keep or discard it during cleanup.