46

Is there a way to download a backup of all of my own tweets, in case Twitter ever goes down for good?

Improve this question
6
  • 10
    Note: Current twitter API limits you fetch the latest 3200 updates only, so if you have greater than 3200 updates, I doubt the services will be able to backup them.
    – Sathyajith Bhat
    Commented Jul 1, 2010 at 12:50
  • @Sathya -- not true. You're right that you can't get more than that easily, but I know for a fact that backupmytweets.com specifically does backup 100% of your tweets, which is actually another reason to use one of these services in the first place.
    – Jason Cohen
    Commented Jul 8, 2010 at 15:50
  • 3
    Not according to their FAQ, Jason: backupmy.net/faq They can only back up the most recent 3,200 tweets.
    – Guillermo Esteves
    Commented Oct 10, 2010 at 4:15
  • 3
    Obviously, the API only gives you access to the most recent 3200 tweets. But every tweet after you enabled the backup service, will backup the latest 3200 plus the ones you already have saved. Ie. more than 3200.
    – Claus Jørgensen
    Commented May 7, 2012 at 18:11
  • 2
    So the answer is, start backing up as soon at you start tweeting, or at least before you have > 3200 tweets. Then EVERYTHING will be backed up.
    – Chase Florell
    Commented May 7, 2012 at 18:15

7 Answers 7

Reset to default
10

If you live in the EU, you can request ALL your tweets that Twitter holds on you.

Visit this link:

http://monsterswell.com/blog/2012/04/a-full-twitter-index-in-your-thinkup/

Follow these instructions (and you will need a Fax Machine):

https://www.privacyinternational.org/blog/what-does-twitter-know-about-its-users-nologs

Improve this answer
1
  • or faxzero.com or another "free internet fax" services
    – isomorphismes
    Commented Sep 25, 2012 at 19:47
4

Zach Drayer (@zadr on Twitter) suggested filing a FOIA with the Library of Congress, if you're in the US. Haven't tried it, though.

If I were to file a FOIA request with the Library of Congress, would I be able to get an archive of all my tweets? Cant get it from Twitter…

Source: https://twitter.com/zadr/status/199570827308580866 https://blog.twitter.com/2010/tweet-preservation

Improve this answer
3

Twitter is starting to roll out the ability for anyone to request an archive of all of their tweets.

Official Twitter blog: Your Twitter archive

Apparently it works similarly to Facebook's archive option. If the option is turned on for you, you'll see a link for "Your Twitter Archive" in Twitter Settings. Once you've made the request, and after some amount of time, an email message with a ZIP file of your Twitter messages will arrive in your inbox.

Improve this answer
3

Twitter allows its own archive system where you can request for the download. You can view its official announcement here. You can download all your tweets with no tweet limit.

Improve this answer
1
  1. Open your account settings.
  2. Scroll down to Your Tweet archive
  3. Click Request your archive
  4. Wait for an email to arrive
  5. Click the Download now button

  6. Click the Download button in the opened page:

    enter image description here

  7. Extract the archive in a folder, and open index.html with your web browser

Note: Please make sure your email address is confirmed prior to requesting your Twitter archive and that you are logged into your Twitter account on the same browser you are using to download your Twitter archive.

Source: How to download your Twitter archive

Improve this answer
0

You can also use SocialSafe to backup the content of your Twitter account. Again, it is restricted by the API limit of the most recent 3,200 tweets when you start backing up, but as others have said, the sooner the start backing up the less you'll miss. All of the content is stored on your own PC/Mac, so you aren't sharing your data with anyone.

SocialSafe backs up the following:

  • Tweets
  • Mentions
  • DMs
  • Favourites
  • Followers
  • Following
  • Profile information

There is a free trial available that allows you full usage of SocialSafe, which also includes the capability of exporting to CSV. You can download the PC/Mac installer from the SocialSafe website.

Hope this helps.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.