How to download a copy of everything Google knows about you

If you use Google services, there’s a really easy way to download everything you have stored on the company’s servers.

This is particularly important if you ever decide to quit Google and delete your account entirely, but still want a record of your Google Calendar, an archive of the pictures in Google Photos or a copy of everything in Gmail. It’s also useful if you want a reminder of everything Google knows about you.

We already showed you how to download a copy of everything Facebook knows about you. Now here’s how to download an archive of your footprint on Google.

A reminder: downloading your data doesn’t delete it. Think of it as a backup.

We’ve already published a pretty extensive guide on how to find out everything Google knows about you.

It knows a lot, particularly if you use its services such as Google Maps or search. I discovered late last year that it knows my name, gender, birthday, personal cell phone numbers, where I work, where I’ve been over the past several years, the types of hobbies I enjoy and more.

In the archive you’re about to download, you’ll get a copy of nearly everything Google has stored on its servers, including Gmail contacts, Chrome bookmarks, transactions from various Google services, locations stored in Google Maps, and more.

You’ll find all sorts of data, including (in my case, dating back to Nov. 8, 2013):

• Every single place I’ve searched in Google Maps.
• The apps I’ve opened on Android down to the exact second I opened it.
• Rewards cards I once used in Google Pay.
• Everything I’ve asked Google Assistant.
• Every comment I’ve left on YouTube and every video I’ve watched.
• Every Android app I’ve searched for or downloaded.
• Every news article I’ve read on Google News.
• Ads I viewed or visited in any of Google’s products.
• All of my Gmail files including Spam and Trash.

… and more.