This article is for whoever is collecting Facebook Messenger data.
The standard Facebook data export from Meta Accounts Center does not include end-to-end encrypted Messenger chats. If the messages you need are in an end-to-end encrypted chat, follow the steps below to download them directly from Messenger. This download is only available on a computer.
If you also need messages that are not end-to-end encrypted, follow How to download your Facebook data to collect direct messages using the Hearsay Extractor as well.
Step 1: Open Messenger
On a computer, go to facebook.com and click Messenger in the top right.
Step 2: Open the options menu
Click the three dots next to Chats to open the menu.
Step 3: Privacy & Safety
Click Privacy & Safety.
Step 4: End-to-end encrypted chats
Click End-to-end encrypted chats.
Step 5: Message storage
Click Message storage.
Step 6: Download message storage data
Click Download message storage data.
Step 7: Download your file
Select your preferences and date range, then click Download file. Save the file to your computer or an external hard drive.
The download is not instant. It can take a few minutes depending on the length of your conversations and the number of attachments.
Next steps
Once your download is complete, continue to one of the following articles: