Reviewing your Facebook data allows you to see what personal information Facebook has collected about you, helping you make informed decisions about your privacy settings.
You might also need a copy of your data, which serves as a backup of your photos, messages and memories in case you lose access to your account or decide to delete it.
Additionally, understanding what data Facebook stores can help you better comprehend how the platform uses your information for advertising and content personalization. Here’s how to do it.
Facebook collects a wide range of data from you, including your profile information, posts, photos, comments, likes, friends list, location data, search history and interactions with ads and pages. The company uses this data to personalize your experience and show you targeted ads. It also uses the data and shares it with third-party partners to improve its services.
When you request your data, you can access files containing the information you’ve provided (like your name, email and address) as well as account activity such as posts, photos, messages and data logs. These logs include your interactions, device information and connections to third-party apps, websites and services.
Keep in mind that not all data Facebook collects about you will be included in your download.
HOW TO MANAGE A DECEASED LOVED ONE’S FACEBOOK ACCOUNT
The process of accessing and downloading your data from Facebook can change. As of May 2025, you can access and download your information on Facebook using the steps below:
WHAT HACKERS CAN LEARN ABOUT YOU FROM A DATA BROKER FILE
5 MOBILE PRIVACY TERMS YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Wait for an email notification from Facebook that your requested file is ready to download. That can take up to an hour. Once you receive it, you have four days until the download request expires. When you receive the notification, log into your Facebook account and follow the steps below to download the requested information:
HOW FACEBOOK SECRETLY COLLECTS YOUR INFORMATION EVEN IF YOU HAVEN’T SIGNED UP
The steps below are for iPhone, but they will also work on Android. However, some menu items may appear in slightly different locations or use slightly different names compared to the iPhone. Follow the steps below:
Wait for an email notification from Facebook that your requested file is ready to download. That can take up to an hour. Once you receive it, you have four days until the download request expires. When you receive the notification, follow the steps below to download the requested information:
WHY IT’S HARD TO TRUST EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS FROM FACEBOOK
Downloading your Facebook data helps you understand what information the platform holds about you. While it may take some time to compile, especially for longer periods, it’s worth doing periodically so you’re aware of your digital footprint on the platform and keep a personal backup in case something happens to the online version.
Did you find any surprising information that made you reconsider your social media usage? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter
Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.
Follow Kurt on his social channels:
Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:
New from Kurt:
Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
