[HOW-TO] Facebook archive: How to download your data

Facebook stores data, everyone knows that. Most people think that what is deleted is deleted. But that's not the case: you can download an archive of your Facebook profile - deleted posts, photos and friends are also displayed there. Today we want to show you how to access this archive.

Most people don't even know that you can download an archive of your saved data on Facebook. Most of the data saved in your profile can be accessed very easily by simply logging into Facebook.

The data in the personal Facebook archive includes information about clicked advertisements in the timeline, about IP addresses used for activities on Facebook, about deleted friends or previous information about relationship status. Deleted posts are also shown in this archive. A tough case for data protection advocates: For every photo, Facebook has saved the time it was taken, the location coordinates and the IP address used to upload it to the profile.

How to download your Facebook archive

To download your own online presence, switch to yours Facebook settings. There click on the link: "Download a copy of your Facebook data" and then click on "Build my archive". If the archive has already been built, click on "Download archive". When the archive has been built, you will be notified by email. In the mail there is then a link that you have to click on in order to download your complete data package.

For security reasons, the attached link is only active for a few days before it expires. Please note: think carefully about who you send your archive to or where you save it - it contains very confidential data. Once you have your package on your PC, unpack the ZIP file on your desktop. Then click on the index.html and you can browse through your mini profile.

The personal Facebook archive. Image: TechnikNews

It is possible that not all data is available because some data have to be deleted after a while for data protection reasons.