If you need a copy of your Messenger history, export it before deleting your Facebook profile. Meta says that after a profile is deleted, the account holder cannot access its profile information.according to Meta

Meta directs Messenger users to the Export your information tool in Accounts Center.according to Meta There is also a separate computer-only download for end-to-end encrypted chats, so treat the two workflows separately.according to Meta

Want Facebook included in a broader archive instead of relying on a device export? SocialGuardian lists Facebook among the platforms it backs up in one place. Set up your profile

Export Messenger messages to your device

Meta’s current desktop route is:

  1. Click your profile picture in the top right.
  2. Click Settings & privacy.
  3. Click Settings.
  4. Click Meta Account.
  5. Click Your information and permissions.
  6. Click Export your information.
  7. Click Create export.

Those labels and the sequence above come from Meta’s current desktop instructions.according to Meta

In the export settings, Meta says you can choose specific information, a date range, format, notification email, and media quality.according to Meta For a Messenger-focused archive, choose the message information and date range you need.

A mobile route documented by wikiHow is:

  1. Open the Facebook Messenger app and tap the menu.
  2. Select Accounts Center.
  3. Tap Your information and permissions.
  4. Tap Export your information.
  5. Select Create export.

In the mobile export settings documented by wikiHow, tap Customize information, make sure Messages is checked, choose a date range including All time if appropriate, select HTML or JSON, and select media quality.according to wikiHow

Meta may ask for the account password and additional verification before an export begins. A device export needs sufficient storage, and the information and media quality you select affect the file size.according to Meta

Download end-to-end encrypted chat history

Meta says you can download a copy of all end-to-end encrypted messages, including messages sent and received from other people. Meta’s documentation says this download is currently available only on a computer.according to Meta

On a computer, follow Meta’s documented path:

  1. Open facebook.com.
  2. Click Messenger in the top right.
  3. Next to Chats, click Options to open chat settings.
  4. Click Chat history.
  5. Click Last backup.
  6. Click Download chat backup.

This encrypted-chat data can include attachments such as files, images, and other media you have sent and received.according to Meta

Choose HTML or JSON, download, and verify the archive

For a human-readable archive, Meta describes HTML as an easy-to-view format delivered as a ZIP file. After extraction, the ZIP contains an HTML file named index that you can open in a web browser. Meta describes JSON as machine-readable and says it may make transferring information to another service easier.according to Meta

Meta offers two export destinations: an external service or your device. For a local copy, the destination is labeled Export to device.according to Meta

For an external service, Meta documents this sequence:

  1. Select Export to external service.
  2. Choose an external service and click Next.
  3. Choose how often to export and click Next.
  4. Click Connect.

When a device export is ready, Meta says you will receive an email notification and a notification on Facebook.according to Meta The completed export remains in Available downloads for 4 days.according to Meta

Use this evidence-bounded check after downloading:

  1. Wait for the completion notifications.
  2. Download the export before the 4-day Available downloads deadline.
  3. Keep the information request secure and take precautions when storing, sending, or uploading it.according to Meta
  4. Extract the HTML ZIP and open index in a web browser.
  5. Inspect the folders with requested files, including images and videos.according to Meta

This checks the downloaded archive’s contents; it is not a claim that the export proves every historical message was included.

Choose HTML when you want to open the archive in a browser. Choose JSON when you need a machine-readable format that may make transferring information to another service easier.according to Meta

For an ongoing archive across social platforms, SocialGuardian says content from major social platforms is automatically backed up every day. Start with your profile

One conversation, attachments, deletion, and recovery limits

Can you save Messenger attachments?

Meta says end-to-end encrypted chat data can include attachments such as files, images, and other media sent and received. The same documentation says a downloadable copy can include messages sent and received from other people.according to Meta

Can you export just one Messenger conversation?

The documented wikiHow approach says there is no way to export an individual Facebook conversation. It presents screenshots as an option for shorter chats and says screenshots are not a good method for lengthy conversations.according to wikiHow

What happens if you are deleting your Facebook profile?

Export before deletion. Meta says that after a Facebook profile is deleted, the account holder will not be able to access its profile information. Information shared in another person’s profile may still remain there; Meta gives a sent message copy as an example.according to Meta

If the profile is scheduled for deletion, Meta says you can cancel the deletion to export its information.according to Meta

Keep a broader social archive with SocialGuardian

SocialGuardian says it backs up Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitch, and Pinterest in one place.according to SocialGuardian It also says content from major social platforms is automatically backed up every day.according to SocialGuardian

SocialGuardian says setup uses only a public @handle and does not require a password or login.according to SocialGuardian Its start page asks you to choose a network and provide a profile handle or URL, lets you add another profile, and advertises a password-free 30-day free trial that can be cancelled anytime.according to the setup page

The service says users can export their full archive anytime and that it has no lock-in.according to SocialGuardian

Need a password-free way to include Facebook in an archive that can cover multiple networks? SocialGuardian says you can start with a public handle and export your full archive anytime. Start your 30-day trial

Messenger backup checklist

  • Export before deleting a Facebook profile; a scheduled deletion must be cancelled before its information can be exported.according to Meta
  • Use Meta’s Accounts Center route and choose the information, date range, format, and media quality you need.according to Meta
  • For end-to-end encrypted chats, use the computer-only Messenger chat-history route.according to Meta
  • Include enough device storage for the selected information and media quality.according to Meta
  • Download a completed export within the 4-day Available downloads window.according to Meta
  • Keep the information request secure when storing, sending, or uploading it.according to Meta

FAQ

How do I download all my Facebook Messenger messages?

Use Meta’s Export your information tool in Accounts Center. On desktop, the documented path is profile picture > Settings & privacy > Settings > Meta Account > Your information and permissions > Export your information > Create export.according to Metaaccording to Meta

Can I download end-to-end encrypted Messenger chats?

Yes. Meta says you can download a copy of all end-to-end encrypted messages, but downloading that data is currently available only on a computer.according to Meta

Can I save Messenger attachments such as photos, videos, and files?

Meta says end-to-end encrypted chat data can include attachments such as files, images, and other media you sent and received.according to Meta

Can I export just one Messenger conversation?

The documented approach says there is no way to export an individual Facebook conversation. For a shorter chat, it presents screenshots as an option; it says screenshots are not a good method for lengthy conversations.according to wikiHow

What format should I choose for a Messenger backup: HTML or JSON?

Choose HTML for an easy-to-view ZIP containing an index file you can open in a browser. Choose JSON for a machine-readable format that may make transferring information to another service easier.according to Meta

How long is a Facebook data export available to download?

Meta says a completed export is available in Available downloads for 4 days.according to Meta

Can I back up Messenger messages before deleting my Facebook account?

Yes. Export the information before deletion. Meta says that a profile scheduled for deletion must have deletion cancelled before its information can be exported.according to Meta

Can I recover deleted Messenger messages from a backup?

Not from the deleted profile information: Meta says that after a Facebook profile is deleted, the account holder cannot access its profile information. A copy of a sent message may still remain on another person’s profile.according to Meta