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Ancestry Step by Step Guide: How to Upload-Download DNA Files

Roberta Estes

In this Upload-Download Series, we’ll cover each major vendor:

Uploading TO Ancestry

This part is easy with Ancestry because Ancestry doesn’t accept any other vendor’s files. There is no ability to upload TO Ancestry. You have to test with Ancestry if you want DNA results from Ancestry.

Downloading FROM Ancestry

In order to upload your Ancestry autosomal DNA file to another testing vendor, or GedMatch, for either matching or ethnicity, you’ll need to first download the file from Ancestry. This doesn’t in any way affect your DNA matches at Ancestry. You’re only downloading a copy of the raw data file.

Step 1

Sign in to your account at Ancestry and click on the DNA Results Summary link.

Step 2

Click on the Settings gear, at the far upper right-hand corner of the summary page, just beneath your Ancestry user ID.

Step 3

Scroll way to the bottom and click on the link for “Download Raw DNA Data.”

Step 4

Enter your password and click on “I Understand,” after reading of course.

Then click “Confirm.”

Step 5

Ancestry will send an e-mail to the e-mail address where you are registered with Ancestry. Check your inbox for that e-mail.

Waiting…waiting.

Still waiting…

If the e-mail doesn’t arrive shortly, check your spam folder. If you’ve changed e-mail addresses, check to be sure your new one is registered with Ancestry. That’s on the same Settings page. If all else fails, request the e-mail again.

Step 6

Ahhh, it’s finally here.

Click on the green “Confirm Data Download” and do not close the window.

Step 7

Next, click on the green “Download DNA Data.”

You’ll see the following confirmation screen along with the downloaded file at the bottom.

Step 8

At the bottom of the page, above, if you’re on a PC, you’ll see the name of the zipped file.

The file name will be “dna-data-2021-07-31” where the date is the date you downloaded the file. I would suggest adding the word Ancestry to the front when you save the file on your system.

Most vendors want an unopened zip file, so if you want to open your file, first copy it to another name. Otherwise, you’ll have to download again.

That’s it, you’re done!

Ancestry DNA File Uploads to Other Vendors

Ancestry testing falls into two different categories. V1 tests taken before May of 2016 and V2, the current version as of August 2021 which includes tests taken after May 2016. Tests processed during May 2016 could be either version. However, the major vendors accept both files, so the version no longer matters.

The difference between V1 and V2 files is that Ancestry changed the chips they use to test and different DNA positions are tested, resulting in a file of a different format.

Not all vendors accept uploads, but you can upload your Ancestry DNA file, as follows:

From below to >>>>>>>>>>> Family Tree DNA Accepts ** MyHeritage Accepts*** 23andMe Accepts* GedMatch Accepts
Ancestry V1 and V2 Yes Yes No Yes

*Note that 23andMe in 2018 allowed a one-time upload from Ancestry, but people who uploaded results did not receive matches from 23andMe. You need to test at 23andMe.

**Note that the upload to Family Tree DNA and matching is free, but advanced tools including the chromosome browser and ethnicity require a $19 unlock fee. That fee is less expensive than retesting.

***MyHeritage provides free matching and basic tools. You’ll need either a $29 unlock or a full subscription to utilize all of the MyHeritage advanced DNA and genealogy tools. You can upload your DNA file here, and try the subscription for free, here.

Testing and Upload Strategy

My recommendation, if you test at Ancestry, is to upload your DNA file to MyHeritage, Family Tree DNA, and GedMatch.

I wrote step-by-step upload instructions for:

Have fun!

Please note that this article was updated in August 2021.

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Disclosure

I receive a small contribution when you click on some of the links to vendors in my articles. This does NOT increase the price you pay but helps me to keep the lights on and this informational blog free for everyone. Please click on the links in the articles or to the vendors below if you are purchasing products or DNA testing.

Thank you so much.

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