TweetArchive/Guide

Guide · Updated November 13, 2026 · by Cedano Labs LLC

How do I search X archive DMs as evidence?

To find a specific DM, open the archive ZIP in TweetArchive and use the Messages search: it shows every matching message with its date, time (UTC on hover), sender, and message ID. Keep the original ZIP untouched, and export the conversation to CSV/JSON or the offline HTML copy. This is a readable copy, not a certified forensic report.

Step by step

1. Keep the original ZIP unchanged

   Store a copy of the archive exactly as you downloaded it. Work from a copy.

2. Open the copy in TweetArchive

   Nothing is uploaded, so sensitive messages stay on your device.

3. Search messages

   Search by words. Each result shows the conversation, sender, and timestamp.

4. Open the conversation

   Click a result to jump to the message in context. Hover the time to see UTC and the message ID.

5. Export

   Download CSV/JSON (message ID, conversation ID, sender ID, UTC time, text) or an offline HTML copy.

Honest limitations

• TweetArchive is not a forensic tool, and exports are not certified evidence. Ask a lawyer how evidence should be collected in your case.
• Usernames of other people may be missing from the archive; their numeric IDs are shown instead.
• TweetArchive is not affiliated with X Corp.

Frequently asked questions

Will a screenshot or export hold up in court?

We cannot say. TweetArchive is not a forensic service and does not certify anything. Talk to a lawyer about how to preserve evidence.

Does TweetArchive change my archive?

No. It only reads the ZIP. Exports are new files.

Can I see the exact time of a message?

Yes. Times show in your local time; hover to see the UTC timestamp and message ID from the archive.

Should I upload DMs to an online viewer?

Be careful with any site that uploads your DMs. TweetArchive does not upload them; everything runs in your browser.

Related

• How to download your official X archive
• Privacy: what TweetArchive does and doesn’t see
• How do I open my X (Twitter) archive ZIP?
• Your archive.html is not loading
• How do I view DMs in my X archive?
• How do I export X archive photos with the real date?
• How do I export my X archive to PDF?
• My X archive is several GB and won’t open on Windows
• I deleted my X account and only have the archive
• X archive media dates are wrong
• Is it safe to upload my X archive to a website?
• How do I download my official X archive?
• What is tweets.js and why isn’t it JSON?
• How do I convert my X archive to CSV or JSON?
• How do I view threads in my X archive?

Sources

• The Verge: How to download an archive of your Twitter data (updated Nov 14, 2022)
• Ars Technica: How to download a backup copy of your Twitter data (Oct 28, 2022)
• twitter-archive-parser by Tim Hutton (GitHub)
• alkihis/twitter-archive-reader: file structures

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. Markdown version: /search-dms-for-evidence.md.