Skype Help

    How do I export my Skype files and chat history?

    Back to search results
    1. Use this link to sign into your Skype account.
    2. Select the option to download your Conversations, Files or both, and then select Submit request.
    3. When your request is complete, you'll receive a notification in Skype with a link to view or download your file. If you don't receive a notification in Skype, check the export page. A link to download your files will also appear there once they are available to download.
    4. Click the Download button to download your files. 
     
    How do I open the files and chat history I downloaded from Skype?
     

    The downloaded messages and files are delivered in a .tar file. You may need an additional application to open the .tar export file and extract your messages and files.

    To extract the .tar file on Windows 10:

    1. Press the Windows + r keys on your keyboard to open the Run window. 
    2. In the Open: field, type cmd and then click OK.
    3. Use the "change directory" (CD) command to navigate to your file:
      • Files saved to your Downloads folder: Type CD Downloads and then presh Enter. 
      • Files saved to a location other than your downloads folder: Type CD DIRECTORY, replacing DIRECTORY with the folder name where your exported file was saved. (IE: CD Desktop),  and then press Enter. 
    4. Type tar -xvfYOURFILENAME_export.tar, replacing YOURFILENAME with the name of your exported file which usually follows the pattern 8_skypename_export.tar or 8_live_skypename_export.tar and then press Enter. 
    5. After the command completes, you will see your extracted messages file named messages.json file in the directory. We recommend downloading the file  viewer to make is easier to read your conversation history. 
    6. After downloading the viewer, open it by selecting the index.html file from the skype-parser folder. 
    7. Browse to the messages.json file and then click the Load button. 


    To extract the .tar file on Mac
    Browse to the .tar file you downloaded and open the file. Mac has built-in .tar support. 

    To extract the Tar file on older Windows operating systems
    You may need a third party application to open the .tar file. 
    Note: This link is provided for your convenience and is not an endorsement of any particular third party tool. Ensure that any software you choose to download is from a trusted source. 
     

    Learn more about how long files and data are available in Skype.

    Additional Resources

    Ask the Community

    Join the conversation with other customers.
    Try our virtual agent

    In training to help with Skype.
    Help improve Skype Support

    Share your ideas with a quick survey.
    Skype Status

    Check if there are any issues currently affecting Skype.