How to download Facebook data: on mobile and on desktop

Facebook has created a data download function so you can download your posts, favorite photos and videos, messages, and even memorable comments. In this article, you will learn how to download your data from Facebook.

How to download data using the desktop version?

To access and download your Facebook data from your computer, go to the Facebook website. Next, log in and click on the small downward-pointing triangle in the upper-right corner of the screen. In the menu that opens, select Settings & Privacy.

From there, select Settings.

Next, click Your Facebook Information from the left menu.

Now choose the Download your information tab.

Once this is done, you will be able to select the time period, format, and media quality of your data. Confirm by selecting Update.

You also have the option to choose the type of information you'd like to download. To do this, check/clear the boxes below, according to your preferences.

When you finish the settings, scroll back up and click Create File. Depending on the amount of data, you may have to wait for several minutes for the archive to be created. When it’s ready for download, you will be notified by Facebook.

Click Download to save the data file.

How to download data using the mobile app?

To download your data from your Android, iPhone, or another mobile device, open the Facebook for Android / for iPhone app and tap on the three horizontal lines in the bottom-right corner of the screen to open the menu. Scroll down to Settings & Support, click on the downwards arrow, and select Settings. Next, go to Your Facebook Information section and choose Download your information tab.

Now you can choose which categories you wish to download: posts, photos, videos, comments, likes, friends, messages and much more. Choose the selected categories by checking their boxes. Next, choose the format in which you’d like to download the archive (HTML or JSON) and media quality, tap Create File.