MyHeritage file guide
How to download your MyHeritage raw DNA data
In MyHeritage, go to DNA → Manage DNA kits, open the three-dot menu beside the kit, and choose Download. The email link lasts 24 hours, and only the kit manager can request it.
Steps checked against MyHeritage on 26 August 2026Download it step by step
- 1
Open Manage DNA kits
Sign in to MyHeritage, open the DNA menu, and choose Manage DNA kits.
- 2
Choose Download
Find the kit you manage, open the three-dot menu on its right, and select Download.
- 3
Review the download notice
Read the information in the first dialog and choose Continue.
- 4
Accept the terms
Review and accept the MyHeritage Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, then choose Continue again.
- 5
Open the email
MyHeritage sends instructions to the email address registered to the account. Open that email and use its download link within 24 hours.
- 6
Confirm your account
The link returns you to MyHeritage. Enter your password and choose Download.
- 7
Keep the original file
Save the standard raw DNA export without editing or converting it. If it downloads as an archive, DNA Layer can accept the archive directly.
Use the standard raw DNA export
MyHeritage is moving newer kits toward whole-genome sequencing, but its current support documentation says users will still receive a standard CSV or text raw-data file for third-party tools. MyHeritage is working separately on CRAM downloads. DNA Layer needs the standard raw export, not a CRAM file.
Keep the download unchanged. Editing columns, resaving it through spreadsheet software, or converting genome coordinates can make format detection less reliable. DNA Layer checks the markers actually present and reports what the file can and cannot support.
Review privacy before reusing a genetic file
MyHeritage itself recommends checking the security measures of any third-party platform before uploading raw DNA. DNA Layer reads the original file locally in your browser and does not retain it. Read the MyHeritage and DNA Layer privacy comparison for the two services’ stated approaches.
Know what the export can establish
A consumer raw-data file is not a diagnosis. It covers the positions included in the export and may omit variants relevant to a condition. Important findings may require clinical confirmation and professional review. The raw DNA interpretation guide explains the checks between a row in the file and a responsible conclusion.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the MyHeritage download option missing?
MyHeritage says only the manager of a DNA kit can download its raw file; an assignee cannot. Ask the kit manager if someone else manages the kit.
Why did the email link stop working?
MyHeritage says the download link is valid for 24 hours. If it has expired, return to Manage DNA kits and start the request again.
Can I download MyHeritage DNA data on an iPhone or iPad?
MyHeritage says raw files can be downloaded to a computer or Android device, but not through an iPhone or iPad.
Which MyHeritage file should I use with DNA Layer?
Use the standard raw DNA data export from Manage DNA kits. Do not substitute a PDF, ethnicity screenshot, or a future whole-genome CRAM file. Coverage depends on the markers present in the standard export.