How to Export Your Telegram Data Step-by-Step
Posted: Thu May 29, 2025 5:16 am
Telegram has become a widely used messaging application, often holding a wealth of personal and important conversations, media, and files. While Telegram automatically stores your chat history on its cloud servers, you might want to create an offline backup or export specific data for various reasons, such as record-keeping, analysis, or transferring to another platform. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of exporting your Telegram data.
It's crucial to note that Telegram's data export feature telegram data is primarily available through its desktop application. You cannot directly export full chat histories from the mobile app. So, the first and most important step is to ensure you have the Telegram Desktop app installed on your Windows, macOS, or Linux computer.
Step 1: Install and Log In to Telegram Desktop
If you don't already have it, download the official Telegram Desktop application from the Telegram website (desktop.telegram.org). Once installed, open the app and log in to your Telegram account. The quickest way to do this is usually by scanning the QR code displayed on your desktop app using your phone's Telegram app (Settings > Devices > Link Desktop Device). Alternatively, you can log in with your phone number and verify via a code sent to your mobile device.
Step 2: Access the Export Data Feature
There are two main ways to export data in Telegram Desktop:
A. Exporting All Telegram Data (Chats, Contacts, Files, etc.):
This method allows you to export a comprehensive archive of your Telegram activity.
Open the Menu: In the Telegram Desktop app, click on the three horizontal lines (hamburger icon) in the top-left corner of the screen. This will open the main menu.
Navigate to Settings: From the menu, select "Settings" (represented by a gear icon).
Go to Advanced: In the Settings menu, click on "Advanced."
Find Export Telegram Data: Scroll down the Advanced settings until you find "Export Telegram Data" and click on it.
B. Exporting an Individual Chat History:
If you only need to export the history of a specific private chat, group, or channel, follow these steps:
Open the Desired Chat: Select the chat (private, group, or channel) you wish to export from your chat list.
Access Chat Options: Click on the three vertical dots (more options icon) in the top-right corner of the chat window.
Select "Export chat history": From the dropdown menu, choose "Export chat history."
Step 3: Configure Your Export Settings
Once you've initiated the export process (either for all data or an individual chat), a "Chat export settings" or "Export your data" window will appear. Here, you can customize what data you want to export:
Select Data Types: You'll see a list of checkboxes for various data types, such as:
Account Information: Your profile details.
Personal Chats: Your individual conversations.
Bot Chats: Chats with bots.
Group Chats: Conversations in groups you're a part of.
Channels: Content from channels you follow.
Secret Chats: (Note: Due to their nature, secret chats often have limitations on export).
Photos, Videos, Voice Messages, Video Messages, Stickers, GIFs, Files: Media and documents shared in your chats.
Media Export Settings:
Size Limit: This is crucial, especially for media. The default size limit is often low (e.g., 8MB). Drag the slider to increase it, potentially up to 4GB, to ensure all your larger media files are included. If you have more than 4GB of media, you might need to export in batches or consider exporting individual chats.
Date Range: Specify a "From" and "Until" date to export data within a particular timeframe. This is useful if you only need recent history.
Format: Choose your desired export format:
Human-readable HTML: This is recommended for easy viewing in a web browser, making your exported data organized and navigable.
Machine-readable JSON: This format is more suitable for developers or those who want to parse and analyze the data programmatically.
Download Path: Select the folder on your computer where you want the exported data to be saved.
Step 4: Start the Export Process
After configuring all your settings, click the "Export" button. Telegram will then begin compiling and downloading your data. Depending on the amount of data and your internet speed, this process can take some time, from a few minutes to several hours. A progress bar will indicate the status.
Step 5: Access Your Exported Data
Once the export is complete, Telegram will notify you and typically provide a "Show My Data" button. Clicking this will open the folder where your exported files are saved.
If you chose HTML format, you'll find an export_results.html file (or similar) in the main exported folder. Double-click this file to open it in your web browser, allowing you to easily browse your chat history and media offline. Your media files will be organized into separate folders within the main export directory.
By following these steps, you can successfully export your Telegram data, ensuring you have an offline copy of your valuable conversations and shared content. Remember to keep your exported data in a secure location.
It's crucial to note that Telegram's data export feature telegram data is primarily available through its desktop application. You cannot directly export full chat histories from the mobile app. So, the first and most important step is to ensure you have the Telegram Desktop app installed on your Windows, macOS, or Linux computer.
Step 1: Install and Log In to Telegram Desktop
If you don't already have it, download the official Telegram Desktop application from the Telegram website (desktop.telegram.org). Once installed, open the app and log in to your Telegram account. The quickest way to do this is usually by scanning the QR code displayed on your desktop app using your phone's Telegram app (Settings > Devices > Link Desktop Device). Alternatively, you can log in with your phone number and verify via a code sent to your mobile device.
Step 2: Access the Export Data Feature
There are two main ways to export data in Telegram Desktop:
A. Exporting All Telegram Data (Chats, Contacts, Files, etc.):
This method allows you to export a comprehensive archive of your Telegram activity.
Open the Menu: In the Telegram Desktop app, click on the three horizontal lines (hamburger icon) in the top-left corner of the screen. This will open the main menu.
Navigate to Settings: From the menu, select "Settings" (represented by a gear icon).
Go to Advanced: In the Settings menu, click on "Advanced."
Find Export Telegram Data: Scroll down the Advanced settings until you find "Export Telegram Data" and click on it.
B. Exporting an Individual Chat History:
If you only need to export the history of a specific private chat, group, or channel, follow these steps:
Open the Desired Chat: Select the chat (private, group, or channel) you wish to export from your chat list.
Access Chat Options: Click on the three vertical dots (more options icon) in the top-right corner of the chat window.
Select "Export chat history": From the dropdown menu, choose "Export chat history."
Step 3: Configure Your Export Settings
Once you've initiated the export process (either for all data or an individual chat), a "Chat export settings" or "Export your data" window will appear. Here, you can customize what data you want to export:
Select Data Types: You'll see a list of checkboxes for various data types, such as:
Account Information: Your profile details.
Personal Chats: Your individual conversations.
Bot Chats: Chats with bots.
Group Chats: Conversations in groups you're a part of.
Channels: Content from channels you follow.
Secret Chats: (Note: Due to their nature, secret chats often have limitations on export).
Photos, Videos, Voice Messages, Video Messages, Stickers, GIFs, Files: Media and documents shared in your chats.
Media Export Settings:
Size Limit: This is crucial, especially for media. The default size limit is often low (e.g., 8MB). Drag the slider to increase it, potentially up to 4GB, to ensure all your larger media files are included. If you have more than 4GB of media, you might need to export in batches or consider exporting individual chats.
Date Range: Specify a "From" and "Until" date to export data within a particular timeframe. This is useful if you only need recent history.
Format: Choose your desired export format:
Human-readable HTML: This is recommended for easy viewing in a web browser, making your exported data organized and navigable.
Machine-readable JSON: This format is more suitable for developers or those who want to parse and analyze the data programmatically.
Download Path: Select the folder on your computer where you want the exported data to be saved.
Step 4: Start the Export Process
After configuring all your settings, click the "Export" button. Telegram will then begin compiling and downloading your data. Depending on the amount of data and your internet speed, this process can take some time, from a few minutes to several hours. A progress bar will indicate the status.
Step 5: Access Your Exported Data
Once the export is complete, Telegram will notify you and typically provide a "Show My Data" button. Clicking this will open the folder where your exported files are saved.
If you chose HTML format, you'll find an export_results.html file (or similar) in the main exported folder. Double-click this file to open it in your web browser, allowing you to easily browse your chat history and media offline. Your media files will be organized into separate folders within the main export directory.
By following these steps, you can successfully export your Telegram data, ensuring you have an offline copy of your valuable conversations and shared content. Remember to keep your exported data in a secure location.