# How do I view DMs in my X archive?

> Your DMs are in data/direct-messages.js (and direct-messages-group.js for group chats), stored as raw data, not readable chats. Open the archive ZIP in TweetArchive and go to the Messages tab: every conversation is grouped, sorted by date, searchable, and shown with attachments that are in the archive. Nothing leaves your device.

## Step by step

1. **Open your archive ZIP in TweetArchive.** Choose the ZIP or the unzipped folder.
2. **Go to Messages.** Conversations are listed by most recent message, with counts and date ranges.
3. **Search all messages.** Type a word or phrase to find every matching message across conversations, then click a result to jump to it.
4. **Export.** Pro exports all messages to CSV/JSON and into the offline HTML copy.

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.
- Message reactions and some system events are counted but not displayed in detail.

## FAQ

### Why do some people show up as numbers?

DM records store user IDs. The archive often does not include the other person’s @username. TweetArchive fills in names it can find elsewhere in your archive (for example, mentions in your posts); otherwise it shows the numeric ID.

### Are group chats included?

Yes, when the archive has a direct-messages-group.js file.

### Are DM photos included?

When the archive includes the direct_messages_media folder, TweetArchive matches files to their messages.

### Is it safe for private messages?

TweetArchive never uploads your archive. It runs entirely in your browser tab.

## 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.