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23andMe Step by Step Guide: How to Upload-Download DNA Files

Roberta Estes

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

Please note that downloading your DNA file from any vendor does not affect your matching results at that vendor. You are only downloading a copy of your raw DNA file.

Uploading TO 23andMe

This part is easy with 23andMe, because 23andMe doesn’t accept any other vendor’s files. There is no ability to upload TO 23andMe. You have to test with 23andMe if you want DNA results from 23andMe.

Downloading FROM 23andMe

In order to upload your autosomal DNA file to another testing vendor, or GedMatch, for either matching or ethnicity, you’ll need to first download the DNA file from 23andMe.

Download Step 1

Sign on to your account at 23andMe.

Under your name at the upper right-hand corner of your page, by clicking on the little circle with your initials, you’ll see “Resources.” Click there.

Download Step 2

Then, select Browse Raw Data.

Download Step 3

Next, click on Browse Raw data at the top of the page.

Complete the information.

Download Step 4

Don’t think you’re done, because you’re not.

Scroll down and accept the terms and conditions, at the bottom.

You’ll see the following message saying an e-mail will be sent to you.

Download Step 5

A few minutes later, an e-mail will arrive that says this:

Click on the green button in the e-mail which will take you back to 23andMe to sign in.

Download Step 6

After you sign in, you’ll see that your download file is ready. Click on “Download Raw Data” and you will see the following.

Your raw data file will be downloaded to your computer where you’ll need to store it in a location and by a name that you can find.

The file name will be something like “genome_Roberta_Estes_v2_v3_Full_xxxxxxxx” where the xs is a long number. I would suggest adding the word 23andMe 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.

23andMe DNA File Uploads to Other Vendors

23andMe files can be in one any one of four formats:

The changes in the files due to chip differences sometimes cause issues with uploads to other vendors who utilize other testing chips.

From below to >>>>>>> Family Tree DNA Accepts * MyHeritage Accepts** GedMatch Accepts *** Ancestry Accepts LivingDNA Accepts ****
23andMe V2 No Yes Yes No Yes
23andMe V3 Yes Yes Yes No Yes
23andMe V4 Yes Yes Yes No Yes
23andMe V5 Yes Yes Yes No Yes

* The upload to Family Tree DNA and matching is free, but advanced tools including the chromosome browser and ethnicity require a one-time $19 unlock fee.

** At MyHeritage, the upload and matching is free, but advanced tools require a one-time $29 unlock fee unless you are a MyHeritage subscriber. You can upload here and try a free subscription here.

*** At GedMatch, matching is free, but the more advanced features require a Tier 1 subscription for $10 per month.

**** LivingDNA accepts files, but they use a different chip and their matching is still a work-in-process.

23andMe Testing and DNA File Upload Strategy

My recommendation, if you’ve tested at 23andMe, depending on your test version, is as follows:

Step by Step Upload Instructions

I wrote step-by-step upload instructions for:

Have fun!

Please note that this article was updated in November 2024.

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