You may want to delete your Bluesky account but keep a copy of your posts, likes, and follows first. Bluesky does not offer a one-click data export for all content types. The platform provides a downloadable archive that includes your posts, reposts, likes, follows, and direct messages. This article explains the exact steps to request and download that archive before you delete your account permanently.
Key Takeaways: Exporting Bluesky Data Before Account Deletion
- Settings > Account > Download my data: Requests a ZIP archive of your Bluesky content, which is emailed to you when ready.
- Third-party tools like BlueSky Exporter: Can export individual posts or threads as JSON or markdown files for local backup.
- Account deletion is irreversible: After deletion, you cannot recover any data from Bluesky servers, so export first.
What the Bluesky Data Archive Contains
The official Bluesky data archive includes your account information and activity. The ZIP file contains a folder named bluesky-export-<date> with these files:
- profile.json — Your display name, description, avatar URL, and banner URL.
- posts.json — Every post you created, with text, timestamp, and embed URLs.
- reposts.json — A list of posts you reposted, with the original post URIs.
- likes.json — Every post you liked, with the post URI and timestamp.
- follows.json — All accounts you follow, with their DID and display name.
- blocks.json — Accounts you blocked, with their DID.
- mutes.json — Accounts you muted, with their DID.
- list_memberships.json — Moderation lists you belong to, with list URIs.
- chat_messages.json — Your direct messages, including sent and received messages.
The archive does not include media files such as images or videos you uploaded. Only the URLs to those files are included. The archive also does not include saved feeds, bookmarks, or third-party app data.
Prerequisites for Exporting Data
Before you start the export process, confirm you have these things ready:
- A Bluesky account that is logged in on the web version at bsky.app
- Access to the email address associated with your Bluesky account
- Sufficient disk space on your computer for the ZIP file, which can be up to 100 MB for active accounts
- A stable internet connection to download the archive
Steps to Export Your Bluesky Data Archive
- Open Bluesky Settings
Go to bsky.app in your browser and log in. Click your profile picture in the top-right corner of the navigation bar. Select Settings from the dropdown menu. - Navigate to Account Settings
In the Settings menu, click Account in the left sidebar. This opens the account management page. - Request Data Download
Scroll down to the Data section. Click the button labeled Download my data. A confirmation dialog appears. Click Start export to begin the process. - Wait for the Email
Bluesky prepares your archive on its servers. This takes between 5 and 30 minutes depending on your account size. You receive an email at the address associated with your account. The subject line reads: Your Bluesky data export is ready. - Download the Archive
Open the email and click the Download button. Your browser downloads a ZIP file namedbluesky-export-<date>.zip. Save this file to a location you will remember, such as your Documents folder. - Extract the ZIP File
Right-click the ZIP file and select Extract All on Windows or double-click it on macOS. Inside you will find the JSON files listed earlier. Open them with any text editor or a JSON viewer to review your data.
Using Third-Party Tools for Additional Exports
The official archive does not include media files or individual thread exports. If you need those, use a third-party tool. One reliable option is BlueSky Exporter, a browser-based tool that does not require installation. Follow these steps:
- Open BlueSky Exporter
Go to the BlueSky Exporter website in your browser. The tool works entirely client-side, meaning your data does not leave your computer. - Log in with App Password
Create an app password in Bluesky Settings > Account > App Passwords. Copy that password. On the Exporter site, enter your Bluesky handle and the app password. Click Connect. - Select Export Options
Choose what to export: posts, likes, follows, or blocks. You can also select a date range. For media, check the box labeled Download images. - Start the Export
Click Export. The tool downloads a ZIP file containing JSON files plus a subfolder for media. This process can take several minutes for large accounts.
Common Issues When Exporting Bluesky Data
Export Email Does Not Arrive
If you do not receive the export email within one hour, check your spam or junk folder. Also confirm that the email address in Bluesky Settings > Account > Email is correct. If the email is missing, click Download my data again to trigger a new request. Bluesky may delay exports during high server load.
Archive Contains Only Profile Data
If the downloaded archive contains only profile.json and no other files, the export request may have failed silently. Delete the ZIP file and repeat the export steps. Ensure you click Start export and not just Download my data.
Third-Party Tool Fails to Connect
If BlueSky Exporter or a similar tool shows an authentication error, your app password may be incorrect or expired. Generate a new app password in Bluesky Settings > Account > App Passwords. Use that password immediately, as app passwords expire after 30 days of inactivity.
Official Bluesky Archive vs Third-Party Export Tools
| Item | Official Archive | Third-Party Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Data included | Posts, reposts, likes, follows, blocks, mutes, DMs | All of the above plus media files and thread structure |
| Media files | URLs only, no images or videos | Images and videos downloaded as separate files |
| Setup required | None, built into Bluesky | Requires app password creation |
| Export format | JSON files in a ZIP archive | JSON or markdown files with media subfolders |
| Speed | 5–30 minutes for preparation | Real-time, depends on account size |
| Privacy risk | None, email link is secure | Low if client-side, higher if tool sends data to a server |
The official archive is sufficient for most users. Use a third-party tool only if you need media files or structured thread exports.
You now know how to export your Bluesky data using both the official method and third-party tools. After downloading and verifying your archive, you can proceed with account deletion in Settings > Account > Delete account. For future reference, consider using Bluesky’s app password feature to access third-party tools without exposing your main login credentials.