What is raw genetic data?
Your raw data is the complete, unprocessed output of your DNA test: a text file containing the results of every SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) measurement the lab performed. This is fundamentally different from the ancestry compositions, trait summaries, or health reports that your lab may also show you in their app. Those are the lab's own interpretations. The raw data file is the underlying measurement data itself.
helixXY reads your raw data file and cross-references your specific genetic variants against thousands of peer-reviewed scientific studies. Without this file, helixXY cannot generate any reports. The raw data file is produced by the lab that ran your DNA test and must be downloaded directly from your lab account.
How to download from each lab
Sign in and go to Settings
Go to 23andme.com, sign in, then click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Settings.
Navigate to 23andMe Data
Scroll to the Account section and click 23andMe Data. This page manages all of your stored genetic information.
Click Download Raw Data
Click the Download Raw Data button. You may be prompted to enter your password to confirm your identity.
Select "All DNA Raw Data"
Choose All DNA Raw Data from the available options. Do not select a subset or a specific chromosome file. Then click Download.
Check your email and confirm
23andMe sends a confirmation email before releasing the file. Click the link in the email to start the download. Check your spam folder if it doesn't arrive within a few minutes.
Sign in and open Meu Perfil
Go to genera.com.br and sign in. Click your profile name in the top-right corner and select Meu Perfil (My Profile).
Open Dados Genéticos
Within your profile, navigate to the Dados Genéticos (Genetic Data) section.
Click Exportar Dados Brutos
Click Exportar Dados Brutos (Export Raw Data) to begin preparing your export file. The system may take a moment to generate it.
Download your file
Click Download once the export is ready. Your file will save as a .zip or .txt file.
Sign in and go to the DNA tab
Go to ancestry.com and sign in. Click DNA in the top navigation bar.
Open your kit settings
Click the Settings icon (gear icon) next to your kit name on the DNA page.
Click Download Raw DNA Data
Scroll to the Test section and click Download Raw DNA Data.
Confirm and download
Enter your password when prompted, then follow the confirmation link sent to your email to complete the download.
Sign in and go to the DNA tab
Go to myheritage.com and sign in. Hover over DNA in the top navigation bar.
Manage DNA Kits
Click Manage DNA Kits from the dropdown that appears.
Open your kit options
Click your kit name or the three-dot menu next to it, then select Download.
Download Raw DNA data
Select Raw DNA data from the download options. Confirm your identity if prompted, and save the .zip file to your device.
Sign in and go to your Profile
Go to meudna.com.br and sign in. Click your profile name and select Perfil from the menu.
Open Meus Dados
Navigate to the Meus Dados (My Data) section within your profile page.
Click Exportar
Click the Exportar (Export) button to begin preparing your raw data file.
Download the archive
Once the file is ready, click to download the Arquivo bruto (.zip) (raw file). The .zip contains your complete SNP data and can be uploaded directly to helixXY without extracting.
The file you download is usually a .zip archive containing a .txt file inside. You don't need to unzip it. Upload the .zip directly to helixXY — the platform handles decompression automatically.
Download links are found in your lab's account settings, not in the main results or reports area. If you can't find it, try searching for "[lab name] download raw data" in your browser for direct instructions.
Keep your raw data file in a safe place. It contains sensitive genetic information unique to you. Store it on an encrypted drive or in a secure cloud folder, and never share it publicly or via unsecured email.
What if my lab isn't listed?
helixXY currently supports 23andMe, Genera, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, and meuDNA. If your test was performed by another lab, you may still be able to upload if the file uses a standard tab-separated format with an rsid column. See our compatible labs article for the full list of supported formats and what to do if your lab isn't listed. You can also contact our support team directly at support@helixxy.com — we evaluate new labs regularly.
Common issues
Can't find the download option
Most labs only expose the raw data export when you're using a desktop web browser, not a mobile app or phone browser. If you're on a phone, try again on a laptop or desktop computer. The option is almost always inside Settings or Account preferences, not in the main results view.
Download button is greyed out
This usually means your DNA results haven't finished processing yet, or you haven't completed an identity verification step the lab requires before releasing genetic data. Log in to your lab account and check for any pending confirmation steps or notifications on the main dashboard.
File is very small (under 1 MB)
A very small file means you downloaded a summary report, not your raw data. Raw data files are always between 5 MB and 30 MB. Go back to your lab account, navigate specifically to the raw data section (not health reports or ancestry summaries), and try again.