Transfer Your DNA to FamilyTreeDNA

Don't let your results sit in one database. Transferring your raw data to FamilyTreeDNA is free, takes a few minutes, and gets you more matches, chromosome level tools, and surname/haplogroup projects, without re-testing. FamilyTreeDNA now handles AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritage files the same way, so the steps below are the same regardless of where you tested.

Download your raw DNA file

Where you get this depends on where you originally tested. Pick your source below.

Open your Ancestry data page, scroll to Your DNA tests, and click the > arrow next to your test name.

Open Ancestry Settings ↗ Ancestry's Download your data page, with an arrow pointing to the test name's expand arrow

Check the consent box, then click Continue.

Ancestry's Download DNA test confirmation page, with the consent checkbox and Continue button highlighted

Ancestry emails you within 5 to 10 minutes. Open it and click Confirm Data Download.

Ancestry's confirmation email with the Confirm Data Download button highlighted

Click Download DNA Data and save the .zip file somewhere you'll find it.

Important: don't unzip the file, leave it exactly as a .zip. FamilyTreeDNA needs it in that form.

Ancestry's download-finished page showing the saved dna-data zip file

Go to MyHeritage's DNA kit management page, open the menu next to your kit, and choose the raw data download option.

Open MyHeritage DNA Settings ↗

We haven't re-verified MyHeritage's exact current button wording for this step, so the link above takes you straight to the real page rather than us guessing at a screenshot.

Go to your 23andMe account settings and look for the raw data download option under your profile or privacy settings.

We haven't built a verified step-by-step for 23andMe yet, so no screenshot here rather than guessing. The file, once downloaded, follows the same upload steps below.

Create a free FamilyTreeDNA account

Go to FamilyTreeDNA's transfer page, fill in your details, and click Create Account (or sign in if you already have a kit for this person).

Open FamilyTreeDNA ↗ FamilyTreeDNA's transfer signup form

Your account is created

Note your new Kit Number (it's your login ID), then click Continue to upload.

FamilyTreeDNA's account-created confirmation page showing the new kit number and a Continue to upload button

Select your DNA test provider

Choose the company that provided the file you're uploading (AncestryDNA, 23andMe, or MyHeritage all work the same way here), then click Next.

Upload your file

Drag your saved file into the box, or browse for it, then click Upload. FamilyTreeDNA accepts .zip or .csv files up to 50MB.

FamilyTreeDNA's Upload Your DNA Data page with a drag-and-drop box and an Upload button

Once it's submitted

Processing typically takes 24 to 48 hours.

Wait for the confirmation email from FamilyTreeDNA.
Log in to view your new matches.
Explore Group Projects relevant to your surname or origins.

Step-by-step for MyHeritage and 23andMeWe'll add verified screenshots for these download steps once we've walked through them directly.

DNA Signpost isn't affiliated with Ancestry, MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA, or 23andMe, this is an independent guide based on their current websites, which can change without notice. Read each company's own terms before uploading, and note that once you download raw DNA data, keeping it secure becomes your responsibility.