# How do I open my X (Twitter) archive ZIP?

> Choose the ZIP you downloaded from X in TweetArchive. It reads the ZIP directly in your browser — no “Extract All”, no upload — finds tweets.js, direct-messages.js, and the media folders, and rebuilds a timeline with threads, DMs grouped by conversation, and a gallery dated to each post.

## Step by step

1. **Download your archive from X.** Request “Download an archive of your data” in X settings and download the ZIP when X says it is ready. See the download guide for details.
2. **Open TweetArchive.** Go to tweetarchive.fyi and scroll to the app. You do not need an account or an X login.
3. **Choose the ZIP.** Click “Choose your archive ZIP” (or drop it on the page). If you already unzipped it, choose the folder instead.
4. **Browse.** Use the Timeline, Messages, and Media tabs. Search by words, date range, or post ID.
5. **Export.** Download an offline HTML copy, CSV/JSON files, or your photos named and dated by post.

Open the tool: https://tweetarchive.fyi/#app (runs in your browser; the ZIP is not uploaded; free preview, $19 one-time for everything).

## Honest limitations

- There is no official public specification of the archive format that we could read; TweetArchive follows what several independent parsers document and discovers file names instead of assuming one layout.
- Some archives omit @usernames for DM partners; those people appear as a numeric user ID.
- TweetArchive is not affiliated with X Corp. and does not log in to X for you.
- If an archive was split into several ZIP files, add all parts together.

## FAQ

### Do I need to unzip the archive first?

No. TweetArchive reads entries straight from the ZIP file. Unzipping first also works: choose the folder.

### Is my archive uploaded?

No. Everything runs in your browser tab. The app never sends your ZIP, posts, or DMs to a server.

### What is inside the ZIP?

Reporting from 2022 describes a “Your archive.html” viewer plus “data” and “assets” folders. The data folder holds files like tweets.js, account.js, and direct-messages.js, and media folders such as tweets_media.

### Is it free?

The preview is free: it shows the 100 most recent posts, a sample of DMs and media, and sample exports. $19 one-time unlocks everything.

## Related

- [How to download your official X archive](https://tweetarchive.fyi/download-x-archive.md)
- [Privacy](https://tweetarchive.fyi/privacy/)

## Sources

- [The Verge: How to download an archive of your Twitter data (updated Nov 14, 2022)](https://www.theverge.com/23453703/twitter-archive-download-how-to-tweets)
- [Ars Technica: How to download a backup copy of your Twitter data (Oct 28, 2022)](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/10/how-to-download-a-backup-copy-of-your-twitter-data-or-deactivate-your-account/)
- [twitter-archive-parser by Tim Hutton (GitHub)](https://github.com/timhutton/twitter-archive-parser)
- [alkihis/twitter-archive-reader: file structures](https://github.com/alkihis/twitter-archive-reader)

TweetArchive is an independent tool made by Cedano Labs LLC. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by X Corp. “X” and “Twitter” are trademarks of X Corp., used here only to describe the archive format the tool reads. TweetArchive is not a forensic lab or a legal service, and its exports are not certified evidence.