How to back up your X likes

Decide what you need to preserve

A useful backup is a separate copy you can access if your usual reading tool is unavailable. For X likes, that might mean the available post text, the author, the post ID, and a source link you can reconstruct from that ID. It may also mean your own notes about why the post mattered.

Likes Library’s JSON export preserves stored post text and metadata. It does not download the contents of external links or make copies of all images and videos. If an important idea only appears in a picture or linked document, a text export alone will not preserve that material.

Keep the original archive separate

Request an archive using X’s archive instructions. Keep the downloaded file in a private place, and upload only the relevant extracted post files to Likes Library. An account archive can contain sensitive information unrelated to likes.

Retaining the original gives you a source copy you can inspect later. It does not guarantee that X included every historical like. Read the archive import guide for the difference between like records, your own post files, and split file parts.

Export after collecting new posts

After a browser or archive import has saved the posts, open Settings → Account → Export your data and choose Download JSON. The export represents the library at that moment, so another file is useful after a substantial new import or important category corrections.

Keep dated copies instead of immediately replacing your only backup. A folder structure such as private-backups/likes-library/2026-10-08/ makes versions easy to distinguish without changing the JSON itself. Your hosted posts and exports remain available after canceling a paid plan, though larger new imports require paid access.

Verify a few important records

Check that the downloaded file is nonempty and opens as JSON in a trusted local editor. Look for a few posts you consider important and confirm their text is present. If you know a post’s ID, searching for it avoids confusion between similar posts.

Do not use matching counts as your only check. Browser imports and archives can overlap, and Likes Library merges duplicate IDs. A file with many records can still omit one essential post. The export guide explains the fields and why missing timestamps should not be invented.

Keep a private second copy and a realistic routine

Store a second copy in a place separate from the computer holding the first, using storage you trust. Choose an interval based on how much you save: after a major import may be enough for occasional use, while frequent research can justify a regular monthly copy.

Treat the files as personal data. Avoid uploading the entire export to a public repository or an unknown online file converter. An export can reveal your interests and includes post text and topics. Before clearing a library or deleting an account, verify your copies and read the privacy and deletion guide.

A backup protects what you have already collected. It cannot recover a post that was deleted or became inaccessible before collection. For gaps, investigate the import checklist rather than assuming that a different storage location will fill them.