Most DNA testing companies let you download your raw DNA data – but what does that really mean? If you’ve tested with 23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, or similar services, you already have a file that contains hundreds of thousands of your genetic markers. This file can be re-used with other tools (like GenesUnveiled) to explore your health risks, nutrition insights, and genetic traits.

How to Download Your Raw DNA Data from 23andMe (2025 Guide)

If you’ve done a DNA test with 23andMe, you can download your raw genetic data as a text file. This file contains your SNP-level genotypes (the A, T, C and G calls) and can be used with privacy-focused third-party tools like GenesUnveiled for additional health, nutrition, and trait insights.
This guide walks you through the exact steps to download your 23andMe raw data on desktop and mobile, explains what the file contains, and gives a few tips for storing it safely.

⚠️ Note: 23andMe’s raw data is provided for research, educational and informational use and is not intended for medical diagnosis or treatment decisions. Always talk to a healthcare professional before making major health changes

🧬 What you need before you start

Before downloading your raw data, make sure:
You have an active 23andMe account with at least one completed DNA test.
You can log in (email + password) and access your profile.
You know the date of birth you used when creating the account (23andMe may ask for it to verify your identity).

Step-by-step: Download 23andMe raw data (desktop / laptop)

These steps follow 23andMe’s own help instructions and recent third-party guides.

1. Log in to your 23andMe account

Go to 23andme.com in your browser.
Click Sign in and enter your email and password.

Once logged in, you should see your 23andMe home or reports dashboard.

2. Open your account settings

In the top-right corner, click your profile name / avatar.
From the dropdown, select Settings.

This takes you to your account settings page.

3. Go to the “23andMe Data” section

On the Settings page, scroll down until you see the “23andMe Data” section near the bottom.
Click View under “23andMe Data”.

You may be asked to re-enter your date of birth to confirm your identity.

4. Find the “Raw Data” download option

On the data page you’ll see a list of different downloadable items (Raw Data, Report Summaries, etc.).

Scroll to the Raw Data section.
Click Download Raw Data.

This opens a page explaining what raw data is and some warnings about sensitivity and accuracy.

5. Confirm risks and submit your request

23andMe will show you information about:

The limits of raw data accuracy.
The sensitivity and privacy implications of genetic data.

To request your file:

Scroll down to the request section.
Tick the checkbox to confirm that you understand the risks and the terms.
Click Submit request (or a similar “Request download” button).

6. Wait for the email notification

23andMe prepares your download and then sends an email with a secure link once it’s ready.

In many cases the email arrives within minutes.
Sometimes, especially during busy periods, it can take longer (some guides mention up to 1–2 days).

Keep an eye on the email inbox associated with your 23andMe account.

7. Use the email link to download your raw data

When the email arrives from 23andMe:

Open the email and click the Download Raw Data link.
Log in again if prompted and confirm your date of birth.
Click the Download raw genotyping data button on the page that loads.

Your browser will download a .zip file containing your raw data.

How to download 23andMe raw data on mobile

The process on a phone or tablet is almost the same; the main difference is using the mobile navigation menu.
Open a browser on your phone and go to 23andme.com.
Tap Sign in and log into your account.
Tap the menu icon (☰) or your profile picture in the top-right corner.
Select Settings from the menu.
Scroll down to 23andMe Data and tap View.
In the Raw Data section, tap Download Raw Data.
Read the warnings, tick the consent box, and tap Submit request.
When you receive the email, tap the Download Raw Data link and follow the prompts to save the .zip file to your device.
For later use with tools like GenesUnveiled, it’s often easier to move the file to a laptop or desktop (via email, cloud storage, or USB) so you can upload it from there.

What’s inside the 23andMe raw data file?

Your downloaded .zip file contains a single text file (.txt) with your genotypes. The file typically includes:
A short header with comments and version info.
A table with four main columns:
Chromosome
Position (genomic coordinate)
rsID (SNP identifier, e.g. rs12345)
Genotype (your two-letter call, like AG, CC, TT) Genetic
You can open the file in a basic text editor (Notepad on Windows, TextEdit on macOS), but it’s quite large and not easy to interpret directly. That’s where third-party tools come in.

How to store your raw DNA data safely

Because this file contains sensitive genetic information, it’s worth treating it like any other critical personal document.
Some simple precautions:
Rename the file to something memorable (e.g., 23andme_raw_data_2025.txt after unzipping).
Keep it in a dedicated folder (e.g., Documents/DNA/).
Make a backup on an encrypted external drive or secure cloud storage.
Only upload it to sites whose privacy policy and data handling you’re comfortable with (avoid services that sell or re-share data by default).
Recent headlines around data breaches and changing terms at genetic companies have made this more important than ever.

Next step: Use your 23andMe raw data with GenesUnveiled

Once you’ve downloaded your raw DNA file, you can use it with GenesUnveiled:
GeneExplorer (free):
Upload your raw file and instantly explore 45+ gene and trait insights in your browser, with analysis performed client-side so your file isn’t stored on our servers.
Full subscription reports:
Unlock 200+ health risk reports, nutrimetabolism panels, gene activity, traits, and more — all powered by your raw 23andMe data.
On GenesUnveiled, the analysis runs locally in your browser, and your raw data file doesn’t leave your device during parsing, which aligns with a privacy-first approach to genetic insights.

What You’ll Discover:

Upload your raw dna file with us, and access hundreds of reports and markers!

60+ DNA Health Risk Reports — from cancer to heart disease
45+ GeneExplorer Insights designed around your DNA
30+ Key Genetic Mutation Markers (SNP-by-SNP)
15+ Gene Activity Reports
15+ Traits (e.g., anger reactivity, pain sensitivity)
15+ Pharmacogenetics Markers
12+ Nutrition Markers tailored to your unique genetic profile
Smart Summary Table (80+ Indications)

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