Before you request the download
- You need access to your Facebook account and may be asked to re-enter your password.
- Select only Messages to keep the file small; a full Facebook download is much larger.
- Choose JSON if you plan to import the messages into software, HTML if you want to read them in a browser. You can request both.
- Lower media quality (or no media at all) makes the download much faster.
Request your Messenger messages
- Open Accounts CenterOn Facebook, open your profile menu, go to Settings & privacy, then Settings, and open Accounts Center.
- Find Download your informationIn Accounts Center, choose Your information and permissions, then Download your information, then Download or transfer information.
- Choose your profileSelect the Facebook profile whose messages you want.
- Select Messages onlyChoose Specific types of information and tick Messages, then continue.
- Choose Download to devicePick Download to device rather than transferring to another service.
- Set the optionsSet the date range (choose All time for the full history), the format (JSON or HTML) and media quality.
- Create the filesTap Create files. Meta prepares the download in the background and notifies you when it is ready.
- Download the ZIPReturn to Download your information and download the file before it expires. Meta keeps the file available for a limited number of days.
End-to-end encrypted chats
Meta has been rolling out end-to-end encryption for personal Messenger chats. Encrypted messages are protected so that Meta cannot read them, which also means they may not appear in the standard download.
Messenger offers a separate way to download encrypted chat history. In the Messenger app’s settings, open Privacy & safety, then End-to-end encrypted chats, and look for Message storage and an option to download your stored messages. You may need your secure storage PIN or recovery code.
If a recent conversation is missing from your Accounts Center download, an encrypted chat is the most likely reason.
What you get and how to open it
Meta delivers one or more ZIP files. Inside, messages are organised into folders, with one folder per conversation (usually within an inbox folder). Each conversation contains message files, named like message_1.json or message_1.html, and media folders if you included media.
- HTML: double-click a conversation’s HTML file to read it in your browser.
- JSON: structured text with sender names, timestamps and message content; best for importing into software.
- Very long conversations are split across several numbered files.
- If accented letters or emoji look garbled when you open a JSON file in a text editor, that is a known quirk of Meta’s encoding, not data loss. Tools built for these files decode it correctly.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Download is taking hours | Large history or high-quality media | Wait for the notification, or request messages only with low or no media |
| A conversation is missing | End-to-end encrypted chat | Use the encrypted chat message storage download in Messenger |
| The file has expired | Downloads are kept only for a few days | Request a new download |
| Names show as “Facebook user” | The other account was deactivated or deleted | Messages are still included; you can label the person yourself later |
Keep the download safe
Your download contains years of private conversations, including other people’s messages. Store it on a device you control, avoid leaving copies in shared folders, and delete old copies you no longer need.
Using it with Memory Clone
Memory Clone imports Messenger and Facebook ZIP, JSON and HTML downloads on your Windows PC, repairs Meta’s text encoding, and learns style separately for each relationship. See training an AI on Messenger messages for what happens next.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to download Messenger messages?
It depends on how much history and media you request. Messages-only downloads are usually much faster than full-account downloads with high-quality media.
Can I download only one Messenger conversation?
The Accounts Center tool downloads all messages in the date range you choose. You can then open just the conversation folder you need.
Can I download messages from a deactivated account?
You can download the messages that are in your own account, including conversations with people who later deactivated theirs.
Is JSON or HTML better?
JSON is better for importing into apps like Memory Clone; HTML is better for reading. Either can be imported.
Does downloading delete my messages?
No. Downloading creates a copy; your messages stay in Messenger.
App menus change over time, so labels on your device may differ slightly. Memory Clone creates an AI simulation from the material you provide; it is not the person.