How to download your personal data from Apple

Apple’s data and privacy initiatives are expanding.

The ability to obtain the data Apple has about you now extends to customers in the U.S and Canada. It follows updates that brought its privacy pages into compliance with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (aka GDPR), which went into effect earlier this year.

Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal was a turning point for digital privacy. Consumers are now much more savvy about the data companies collect about them. Even though Apple’s business model doesn’t revolve around user data in the same way a free social network’s does, it still needs to collect some data in order for its services to work and compete with those of Google, Amazon, and others.

In addition to giving you access to that data, Apple’s privacy page will let you opt out of advertising targeting on its platforms, or even fully delete your account.

Here’s how to see what Apple knows about you.

First, head to www.privacy.apple.com. You should have your Apple ID and password ready to go. Plus, have a device logged into your Apple account nearby to confirm access via two-factor authentication. 

2. Request a copy of your data

Click “get started” and the data-request process begins. Apple will let you choose which data you’d like to download, allowing you to obtain as little or as much as you want. 

The information available ranges from purchase history to logs of iCloud data. Chances are the more you use Apple’s ecosystem, the more data you’ll have available to choose from. You can even download your history of AppleCare calls and service requests.

3. Choose a file size

Unlike other data downloads from Google or Facebook, Apple is conscious of file sizes — rightfully so, as much of the data you can request can come as larger files. Apple will let you split up your data package across multiple downloads, if you prefer. 

4. Wait

After hitting “complete request,” you’ll need to wait for your download link to arrive via email. It can take up to seven days for Apple to get the requested data to you. Phishing and hacks are a reality these days, so while this extra step is an inconvenience, it also has a benefit: Even if a hacker tries to impersonate you to get this data, they can’t get it right away, giving you a chance to shut down the process early.

When you receive your download link, you’ll have 14 days to save your data. After that, the link will expire, and you’ll need to request it again.

For me, the entire process took only four days.