TweetArchiveGuide
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
Open your archive ZIP in TweetArchive
Choose the ZIP or the unzipped folder.
Go to Messages
Conversations are listed by most recent message, with counts and date ranges.
Search all messages
Type a word or phrase to find every matching message across conversations, then click a result to jump to it.
Export
Pro exports all messages to CSV/JSON and into the offline HTML copy.
Open my ZIP in the browser
TweetArchive reads your X archive on your device. Nothing is uploaded. Free preview; $19 once for everything.
Open my archive ZIPHonest 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.
Frequently asked questions
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
- 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 search X archive DMs as evidence?
- 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?