You can download two types of DNA files from your MyHeritage DNA kit: your raw DNA data file, which you can download for any MyHeritage DNA kit with ready results, and the Specialized Genomic CRAM File, a much larger genomic data file that is available only for MyHeritage DNA kits processed with Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS).
The steps for the raw DNA data file come first, followed by the steps for the Specialized Genomic CRAM File.
Before you start:
The "Download kit" action only appears once your DNA results are published. You will not see an option to download your raw data if the results are not ready yet.
Only the manager of the DNA kit (not the assignee) can download the raw data file or the Specialized Genomic CRAM File.
Downloads of the raw DNA data file work on a computer or an Android device — not on an iPhone or iPad.
The Specialized Genomic CRAM File can only be downloaded on a computer. You cannot download it on a phone.
Kits that were uploaded to MyHeritage from other services cannot be downloaded. You will need to reach out and download the file directly from the original provider.
How do I download my raw DNA data file from MyHeritage?
To download the raw data file of your MyHeritage DNA test, follow the steps below:
Hover over the "DNA" tab and go to "Manage DNA kits".
On the right-hand side of the MyHeritage kit, click the three dots and choose "Download kit".
A window will pop up with information about what you're about to download. If the window has a list called "Choose what to download", select "DNA data file". Then click "Continue".
Select the box to confirm that you accept responsibility for the downloaded copy. By continuing, you agree to the MyHeritage Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Then click "Continue".
An email titled "Your Specialized genomic CRAM file is ready to download" with instructions will be sent to your registered email address.
Find this email in your inbox and click the download link.
Note: The download link is valid for 24 hours. If it expires before you use it, simply repeat the steps above to generate a new link.
After clicking the download link, you'll be redirected to the MyHeritage site. Enter your password and click "Download". The file will download to your computer.
💡 Don't remember your password? Click "Forgot your password?" below the password field, or see: I forgot my password. What can I do?
Note: For kits that have Y chromosome (chrY) data, the raw data file includes it. To see your Y-DNA results, go to the Y-DNA tab. See: How do I access and use my Y-DNA results on MyHeritage?
We can't guarantee that our raw DNA files are compatible with other DNA or genealogy platforms, as different providers accept varying file formats. We recommend reaching out to the Support team of the platform where you intend to upload your MyHeritage raw DNA file, as our files are available in only one format. If the platform does support uploads of our file, we strongly advise investigating the site's security measures in advance, particularly whether it offers two-factor authentication (2FA), to ensure your genetic data is truly secured.
How do I download the Specialized Genomic CRAM File from MyHeritage?
The Specialized Genomic CRAM File is a genomic data file that holds the sequencing reads from your DNA sample's Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), aligned to a reference genome, in a compressed format. Standard MyHeritage DNA kits use WGS at 2x coverage, which means each position in your genome is read about twice. The file is about 2 GB and is delivered as a CRAM file (.cram).
You can download the Specialized Genomic CRAM File at no extra cost if your MyHeritage DNA kit was processed with WGS. Only the kit manager can download it. If your kit does not support it, the download window does not show it. To check how your kit was processed, see: What does the Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) upgrade mean for my DNA results?
⚠️ Before you download: Once downloaded, the Specialized Genomic CRAM File is your responsibility and is no longer protected by MyHeritage's security and privacy settings. The file is not intended for medical, health, or legal use.
For the standard file that works with other genealogy services, download the raw DNA data file instead, using the steps in the previous section.
To download the Specialized Genomic CRAM File, follow these steps:
Hover over the "DNA" tab and go to "Manage DNA kits".
On the right-hand side of the MyHeritage DNA kit, click the three dots and select "Download kit".
In the "Download your DNA data" window, open the list called "Choose what to download" and select "Specialized Genomic CRAM File". The window then shows a "Before you download" box and says the file is about 2 GB. Click "Continue".
In the confirmation window, select the box to confirm that you accept responsibility for the downloaded copy. Then click "Continue". MyHeritage then starts preparing your Specialized Genomic CRAM File in the background.
An email titled "Your Specialized genomic CRAM file is ready to download" with instructions will be sent to your registered email address. Preparing the Specialized Genomic CRAM File typically takes a few hours, but it can take up to a day. MyHeritage sends the email to your registered email address when the file is ready to download.
Open the email and click the download link.
Note: The download link is valid for 24 hours. If it expires before you use it, simply repeat the steps above to generate a new link.
On the MyHeritage download page, enter your MyHeritage account password and click "Download".
💡 Don't remember your password? Click "Forgot your password?" below the password field, or see: I forgot my password. What can I do?
The Specialized Genomic CRAM File downloads to your computer as a .cram file of about 2 GB.