23andMe file guide
How to download your 23andMe raw DNA data
Request Raw Data from your 23andMe account. The file arrives as a ZIP archive with a name beginning in genome. It is not the same as a report PDF or Ancestry Composition CSV.
Steps checked against 23andMe on 26 August 2026Download it step by step
- 1
Open 23andMe Raw Data
Sign in to 23andMe and open Browse Raw Genotyping Data. You can also reach it through your profile menu: Resources, Browse Raw Genotyping Data, then Download.
- 2
Choose the raw data download
If you start in Account Settings, open 23andMe Data, choose View, and request Raw Data. Do not choose Reports Summary or Ancestry Composition Raw Data; those are different exports.
- 3
Confirm the profile
Enter the date of birth attached to the profile, read the download notice, select the confirmation box, and submit the request.
- 4
Wait for the ready email
23andMe says it will send a notification email within 48 hours when the file is ready. Follow that email and verify the profile birthdate again to download it.
- 5
Find the genome ZIP file
The download is a ZIP archive whose filename begins with genome. DNA Layer accepts that ZIP directly, so you do not need to open or reformat it first.
Check that you have the right export
23andMe offers several downloads, and their names are easy to mix up. DNA Layer needs the Raw Data download: genotype calls in a plain-text file, normally delivered inside a ZIP archive. It does not use your Reports Summary, family-tree data, or Ancestry Composition coordinates.
If the download seems to have disappeared, search your Downloads folder for genome. Some computers automatically extract ZIP files; in that case, look for a text file instead. Keep an untouched copy somewhere private so you do not need to request it again.
Use the file without handing it to a general chatbot
A raw genotype file is sensitive and difficult to interpret correctly without a defined evidence system. DNA Layer reads the file locally in your browser, matches supported markers in deterministic software, and uses language models only to explain findings that have already been verified. See the full report methodology and safety floor.
You can upload the ZIP as it arrived from 23andMe. A free personalised preview shows what your file can support; the full layer adds cited findings and an action plan. Coverage depends on the chip version and markers present in your particular file.
Read the seven checks behind responsible raw DNA interpretation or see why giving the original file directly to ChatGPT is a different workflow, or compare the tools built for different analysis goals.
What this file cannot establish
Consumer genotyping does not read every position in your genome. A missing marker is not proof that a variant is absent, and a raw call is not automatically a clinically confirmed result. Do not use a consumer file alone to start, stop, or change medical treatment. For a clearer comparison, read consumer genotyping versus whole-genome sequencing.
Before sharing any genetic file with a third party, read its data policy. DNA Layer does not retain your original raw file; our DNA data privacy guide explains what is processed and what is kept.
Frequently asked questions
Which 23andMe file do I need?
Choose Raw Data: the zipped text export containing your genotype calls. A Reports Summary PDF, Ancestry Composition CSV, screenshot, or printed report is not the same file.
How long does the 23andMe download take?
23andMe says the ready notification should arrive within 48 hours. The file may be ready sooner, but it is better to plan for that full window.
Do I need to unzip the 23andMe file for DNA Layer?
No. DNA Layer accepts the genome ZIP file directly and reads it locally in your browser. If your computer already unzipped it automatically, the enclosed text file also works.
Is raw 23andMe data a medical diagnosis?
No. 23andMe describes its raw data as informational and notes that only a subset of markers has been individually validated for accuracy. DNA Layer is also informational and educational; important findings may need clinical confirmation and professional review.