DMForensix / Facebook Messenger archive guide
Download your Facebook Messenger archive in JSON
Get a copy of your Facebook Messenger messages from Meta. Choose JSON, then extract the download on your Windows computer before opening it in DMForensix.
Before you start: Use your own account or an archive you are authorized to review. DMForensix opens downloaded JSON files and does not access your account.
These instructions describe the computer route. Menu names can vary by language and account. Meta is moving some accounts from Accounts Center to Meta Account settings.
Choose the export settings
- Select: The correct profile and Messages, including available media.
- Choose: Export to your device, in JSON format. HTML is not the input format for DMForensix.
- Check: The date range and media quality. Choose All time, when available, for the widest available history.
Keep enough storage for the download and working copy. Enter passwords and verification codes only on Meta’s official pages. You do not need to give them to ObviousIdea.
Request and open your archive
1. Open your account settings
On Facebook.com, open your profile menu. Choose Settings & privacy, then Settings.
2. Find the information export tool
Open Meta Account or Accounts Center. Find Your information and permissions, then Export your information. Some accounts may still show Download your information.
3. Select the correct profile
Create an export. Select your Facebook profile, then choose the option to export to your device. If Meta shows several profiles, check that you selected the account with the conversations you need.
4. Set JSON and include messages
Choose the settings listed above. Check the format is JSON and that Messages are included. Start the export and complete any verification requested by Meta.
5. Download every available part
Wait for Meta’s notification, then return to the export tool and download the files. Download before the expiry date shown by Meta. If Meta provides several ZIP files, keep all parts.
6. Keep the originals and extract a working copy
Keep the original ZIP files unchanged. On Windows, right-click a ZIP file and choose Extract All. Keep the extracted folders and their media together. Do not move individual JSON files away from their related media folders.
7. Open the extracted archive in DMForensix
Use the archive selector in DMForensix to open the extracted archive folder that contains the message JSON files. Check a known conversation, its dates and its media before preparing an export. If there are several downloads or the folder is not recognized, contact us for help arranging the archive.
Recent encrypted Messenger chats may need a separate download
An Accounts Center export may not contain all the encrypted chat history you expect. Meta provides a separate computer download for end-to-end encrypted chats. Check this route when recent conversations are missing.
- On Facebook.com, open Messenger. Next to Chats, open the chat options.
- Open Privacy & safety, then End-to-end encrypted chats.
- Open Message storage and look for Download secure storage data.
- Choose Download file. Complete the password or verification request on Meta, then download the file.
Keep this download separately from the general Facebook export. Keep the original files and their folder structure. If no format selector is shown, keep the download as Meta provides it and check that the archive contains supported JSON message files.
Do not delete or reset secure storage to obtain an export. If Meta asks you to restore chat history, follow its official recovery instructions. A reset can remove stored encrypted history.
Meta guide: download encrypted messages on Facebook. Meta guide: restore encrypted history with a PIN.
Check the archive before you rely on an extract
A download is a copy of the information Meta makes available. It is not a guarantee that every message or attachment is present. Compare the dates and conversations with what you expected.
Can I retrieve messages from a blocked contact?
Request your message archive through Meta’s export tools. Check whether the conversation is included in the downloaded files. DMForensix can read messages that are present in supported JSON files. It cannot recover deleted messages or bypass account restrictions.
I downloaded HTML instead of JSON. What should I do?
Request a new export and choose JSON. Keep any existing download separately. Changing a file extension from HTML to JSON does not convert the archive.
Some messages or media are missing. What should I check?
Check the selected profile, date range and message category. Check that every ZIP part was downloaded and extracted. For recent encrypted chats, also check the separate message storage download. DMForensix cannot recreate content that Meta did not include.
Can I send you the archive for help?
Start by describing the platform, folder structure and problem through the contact form. Do not attach private conversations or a full archive to the first request. We will discuss the next steps with you.
Official instructions and next steps
Read Meta’s official Facebook export instructions. Procedure reviewed on 3 October 2026. These steps were checked against Meta’s help pages. No export was requested from a personal account for this guide.