Manual method
- In Bluesky, open Settings, Account, then Export my data.
- Download profile data and save repo.car. Keep its extension: this is a repository archive rather than a ZIP.
- Use the separate chat-data download to save chat.jsonl if you want a record of your sent messages.
- Save your original photos and videos separately. Record the handle, DID and export date beside the files.
What you get: The profile CAR contains public account records but excludes media blobs and private data. The separate JSONL chat export contains messages you sent, not messages you received. A compatible CAR reader is needed for browsing the repository; retain the original even if you later convert it. Provider instructions. Supporting reference 1. Supporting reference 2. Supporting reference 3.
Size and waiting time
Planning example: 0.02 GB; light/heavy scenarios: 0.001–0.5 GB. These are estimates, not a measured population average or fixed limits. The repository is mostly posts and relationship records. The estimate excludes image/video blobs and private chat history.
Preparation: Planning allowance: minutes for a small repository; media retrieval adds transfer time. No consumer preparation deadline verified.
Network transfer of 0.02 GB: about 23 sec at 10 Mbps, 5 sec at 50 Mbps, or 2 sec at 100 Mbps. This assumes 70% sustained throughput and excludes preparation, manual work and extraction. These are download estimates; online backup takes additional time at your upload speed. Transfer calculations and large-file examples.
Store and check your archive
An encrypted folder on your computer is suitable for this small report; keep a second copy on an external drive. Allow roughly 0.06 GB of working space for the example, including an original, an extracted working copy and room to check it. Very compressed packages can need more. A USB key is useful for a spare copy, but should not be the only one. An encrypted online copy protects against losing the local devices.
Keep repo.car and chat.jsonl unchanged in a dated folder, with your handle and DID. Check the JSONL locally and use a compatible CAR reader for the repository. Compare file sizes or checksums after copying. Verify original images and videos separately; a successful repository export does not mean media were archived. Storage and recovery instructions.
Sources and review
Public documentation was reviewed on 27 October 2026. No signed-in export or restoration was performed. Account options and availability can change; follow the current provider instructions.