Before you begin
Make sure you have the following ready before starting:
- A helixXY account — create one at app.helixxy.com if you haven't already
- Your raw DNA data file downloaded from your lab (
.txtor.zipformat) - A stable internet connection
If you haven't downloaded your raw data file yet, see our guide: How to download your raw genetic data.
Step-by-step upload
Sign in to helixXY
Go to app.helixxy.com and sign in with your email and password. If this is your first time, complete the account setup steps first.
Open your Profile
Click your avatar or profile icon in the top-right corner of the navigation bar to open your account menu.
Select the "Genetic Data" tab
Inside your profile, select the Genetic Data tab. This is where you manage your uploaded DNA file and view its current processing status.
Click "Upload DNA file"
Click the Upload DNA file button. A file picker dialog will open, or you can drag and drop your file directly onto the upload area.
Choose your file
Navigate to where you saved your raw data file and select it. Both .zip and .txt files are accepted. You do not need to unzip a .zip file before uploading.
Click "Confirm upload"
Review your selection and click Confirm upload. Your file is immediately transferred over an encrypted connection. A progress bar will show you the upload status.
Processing takes 2–5 minutes for most files. You'll receive an email notification when your first reports are ready. You can safely close the browser tab after you see the upload confirmation message.
File size and format requirements
- Maximum file size: 50 MB
- Accepted formats:
.zipor.txt - Password-protected archives: not supported. If your file is password-protected, contact your lab for an unprotected export.
- One file per account — you can replace your file at any time from the Genetic Data tab
What happens after upload
Once your file is uploaded and confirmed, helixXY begins a multi-step analysis process:
- Your file is stored in encrypted, isolated storage — separate from your account identity
- The file is parsed and your individual SNPs are extracted and validated
- Each SNP is cross-referenced against our curated database of peer-reviewed GWAS studies
- Your personalized reports are generated across all five categories: Fitness, Health, Nutrition, Diet, and Cancer Screening
- Completed reports appear in the Reports section of your dashboard
Do not close the browser tab while your file is actively uploading. Wait for the confirmation message that says your upload was successful before navigating away. Processing (after the upload) can happen in the background, but the upload itself must complete first.
Troubleshooting upload errors
File too large
Files over 50 MB are not accepted. This is uncommon for consumer microarray files, which are typically 5–30 MB. If your file exceeds this limit, it may have been bundled with additional data by the lab. Contact support at support@helixxy.com with your lab name and we'll help you extract the correct file.
Unsupported format
Only .txt and .zip files are accepted. If you have a .pdf, .csv, .vcf, or other format, you've likely downloaded a report summary rather than your raw data. Return to your lab's account settings, specifically the raw data export section, and download again.
Upload stuck at 0%
This is usually a network issue. Try these steps in order: (1) Check your internet connection, (2) Try a different browser, (3) Disable any VPN or proxy that might be intercepting the connection, (4) Try from a different network. If the problem persists, contact support.