MyHeritage Raw DNA File: What It Contains and How To Use It
Updated: Oct 1
A MyHeritage raw DNA file is the downloadable genotype data linked to your DNA test. It contains your results at many tested genetic markers and provides the underlying data behind your report. On its own, this file is mostly technical, but with proper interpretation it can be used to explore hundreds of genetic traits, pathways, and research-based insights.
What Is a MyHeritage Raw DNA File?
According to MyHeritage, raw DNA data is provided as a tab-delimited text file with a header and one line per variant [R]. Each line contains the variant name or rsID when available, the chromosome, the position, and your genotype at that location.
Here is an example what raw DNA data looks like:
rsID | Chromosome | Position | Allele 1 | Allele 2
rs4577212 | 1 | 79017 | C | C
rs3094325 | 1 | 742429 | A | A
rs3931972 | 1 | 742884 | G | G
rs12164819 | 1 | 766439 | T | T
What a MyHeritage Raw DNA File Can Show
A MyHeritage raw DNA file can be used to examine:
Common SNPs tested by the platform
Your genotype at each measured position
Variants linked in research to traits or biological pathways
Data that can be interpreted by compatible third-party analysis tools
MyHeritage notes that its raw DNA files are available in one format, and compatibility with other platforms can vary [R].
What It Does Not Contain
Like other consumer genotyping files, a MyHeritage raw DNA file does not include:
A full genome sequence
Every possible genetic variant
Gene expression or epigenetic data
Clinical diagnoses on its own
It is best understood as a genotype dataset from selected positions across the genome, which then requires interpretation.
How to Download Your MyHeritage Raw DNA File
MyHeritage states that the raw DNA file can be downloaded by the manager of the DNA kit from the DNA kit management area. It also notes that the download link is valid for 24 hours, and that raw DNA files can be downloaded to a computer or Android device, but not using an iPhone or iPad. Read our MyHeritage guide to get step-by-step guidance.
How GenesUnveiled Can Help
A raw data file becomes more useful when it is interpreted in context. GenesUnveiled helps turn raw genotype data into structured, research-based insights across categories such as traits, neurobiology, metabolism, and more.
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