Can you export Character.AI chats?

Yes. Character.AI's data export covers your account data, and its help center describes it as the way to export your chats. Chatbot Manager can also download individual chats.

What does "Export Data" include?

Character.AI describes it as an export of all your data and chats. It has not said the export includes import-ready character cards, so check your files when they arrive.

Does exporting delete my characters or chats?

The Character.AI materials we cite list exporting your data and deleting your account as separate actions, but they do not explicitly say what exporting does to your characters or chats.

CAI Tools is the former name of Chatbot Manager, a third-party browser extension for Character.AI. We have not audited it and don't make safety claims about it; check its store listing for the publisher and requested permissions before installing.

Should I check my files before uploading them elsewhere?

Yes. Chats and character cards can contain personal or sensitive text. Review them, and read the destination platform's privacy policy before uploading.

Last updated: October 20, 2026

Export Your Character.AI Data — Then Save Your Characters

Character.AI's data export lets you request a copy of your account data, but Character.AI says exports may take 3–4 weeks to process. It has not said the export includes character cards that other apps can import, so save your characters separately.

On October 12, 2026, Character.AI started a court-supervised sale through Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Its official update (opens in a new tab) says the platform “remains up and running,” but if the sale doesn't produce a bid to keep it going, “the platform will be wound down.” Because an export can take weeks, request yours today.

New to migrating? Start with our Character.AI migration guide.

Request your export on Character.AI

It can take 3–4 weeks — start today. This opens Character.AI's official help center; we are not affiliated with Character.AI.

How to Request Your Character.AI Data Export

On the website: your account name → Settings → Account → Manage Account & Data → Export Data

The download link is emailed to the email address linked to your account. Character.AI's own step-by-step instructions: How do I export all my data? (opens in a new tab)

Three things to plan around:

It may take 3–4 weeks. Request now, not when you need the file.
The link is valid for 7 days. Watch your inbox (and spam folder) and download it as soon as it arrives.
It's an account data export. Character.AI describes it as an export of all your data, so save the characters you care about separately (below).

How Long Does a Character.AI Export Take?

According to Character.AI's help center (opens in a new tab), exports may take 3–4 weeks to process. When the export is ready, the download link is valid for 7 days from the time the email is sent. Older guides quote shorter waits. For planning, use Character.AI's current 3–4-week guidance.

If You Request Today: Your Timeline

Character.AI currently expects its court-supervised sale process to be complete “by the end of November or perhaps early December 2026.” The later you request, the less buffer you have.

Export Not Working? Common Fixes

No email yet: if you are still within the 3–4-week processing period, check your spam folder and the email address linked to your account before taking further action.
Missed the download link: the link is valid for 7 days from the time the email is sent. If it has expired, check Character.AI's help center for the current way to get a new one.

What's in the Export — and What Isn't

The official export is your account data, including chats. Character cards come from a separate step, covered below.

Character.AI describes this feature as a way to export all your data and your chats. Character.AI documents it as a data export, not as a character-migration tool, and has not said it includes character cards you can import elsewhere.

Apps such as SillyTavern import characters as character cards—a PNG or JSON file with the character's details embedded. A data export and a character card are two different things; see what a character card is.

When your export arrives, check whether it includes the character details you need before relying on it.

How to Save Your Characters as Character Cards (CAI Tools, Now Chatbot Manager)

One documented option is Chatbot Manager (formerly CAI Tools), a third-party browser extension for Chrome and Firefox. SillyTavern's (opens in a new tab) and SpicyChat's (opens in a new tab) import guides both point Character.AI users to it under its former name, CAI Tools. We have not audited this extension and do not endorse its security or privacy practices. Review the publisher, requested permissions, and privacy policy before installing it.

What it saves: its documentation describes the character download as a “v1 spec character card.” It can also download chats in several formats.
Our test: on October 19, 2026, a character we created was exported as a JSON file with Chatbot Manager v1.14.3 and imported successfully into SillyTavern 1.19.0, where its name, first message, and description fields were present.
Limits: if a character's Definition is private, it can't be downloaded. Retrieving character data depends on the Character.AI website being accessible—another reason to do this now.
Already have CAI Tools installed? The CAI Tools v3.0.0 update notes say it is “Not compatible with Chatbot Manager, choose one, disable other.”

Its site: chatbotmanager.net (opens in a new tab)

Downloading Character Data as JSON

In our test, Chatbot Manager's character download produced a JSON file named after the character. Our test character had no avatar and still downloaded as JSON, and SillyTavern imported that file directly. Keep an untouched copy of the JSON file before you edit or convert it.

Your Own Characters vs. Characters Made by Others

Your own characters: open each character's edit page and copy the Name, Tagline, Description, Greeting, and Definition into a text file as a backup.
Characters made by others: some fields—including the Definition—may be private or unavailable. Do not attempt to bypass those restrictions.

Only copy or upload a character if you created it or have permission from its creator or rights holder to copy it to another service. Public visibility alone does not grant that permission.

Where to Move Your Characters

Not every platform can import a character card. See which platforms can import your characters.

Character.AI Export FAQ

Can you export Character.AI chats?: Yes. Character.AI's data export covers your account data, and its help center describes it as the way to export your chats. Chatbot Manager can also download individual chats.
How long does a Character.AI export take?: Character.AI says exports may take 3–4 weeks to process. The download link is valid for 7 days from the time the email is sent.
What does "Export Data" include?: Character.AI describes it as an export of all your data and chats. It has not said the export includes import-ready character cards, so check your files when they arrive.
Does exporting delete my characters or chats?: The Character.AI materials we cite list exporting your data and deleting your account as separate actions, but they do not explicitly say what exporting does to your characters or chats.
What is CAI Tools?: CAI Tools is the former name of Chatbot Manager, a third-party browser extension for Character.AI. We have not audited it and don't make safety claims about it; check its store listing for the publisher and requested permissions before installing.
Should I check my files before uploading them elsewhere?: Yes. Chats and character cards can contain personal or sensitive text. Review them, and read the destination platform's privacy policy before uploading.