Explore the Full Telegram Export Directory – What’s Inside Your Telegram Backup

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If you've ever used the Telegram Desktop app to export your data, you've likely noticed that the process creates a neatly organized folder packed with everything from chat histories to media and metadata. But what exactly is inside this export directory? Whether you’re backing up personal messages, archiving business communications, or analyzing data, understanding the Telegram export directory structure is essential. This post provides a complete walkthrough of the Telegram export folder, so you can navigate it with confidence and make the most of your data.

1. Exporting Your Telegram Data: A Quick Primer
To generate your Telegram export folder, you’ll need to colombia telemarketing data use Telegram Desktop (not mobile or web versions):

Go to Settings > Advanced > Export Telegram Data

Choose what you want to export: chats, groups, media, account info, etc.

Pick your preferred format (HTML for viewing, JSON for programming)

Telegram will create a local folder on your computer with all selected content

The resulting export is saved to your local drive, typically under:


Inside this folder is a structured archive of your Telegram data.

2. Telegram Export Folder Structure: What You’ll Find
Let’s take a deep dive into the key components of the Telegram export directory:

Root Folder – The Export Container
The main folder is usually named something like:

This root folder includes everything exported in one organized location.


Depending on your export format:



messages.json: Contains raw data in structured JSON, perfect for analysis, automation, or machine learning applications.

chats/
This folder contains individual HTML or JSON files for each exported conversation. Each file is named using either:

The chat’s title or group name (for HTML exports), or

A unique ID (for JSON exports)

Example:


Each media type gets its own folder:

photos/ – All images from chats

videos/ – Shared videos, video notes, etc.

audio/ – Audio files (music, voice messages, recordings)

documents/ – PDFs, Office files, archives, and other attachments

Media files are usually named based on timestamp or message ID and are referenced in HTML/JSON content with relative paths.

If you’ve shared or received stickers or GIFs:

stickers/ includes Telegram’s static or animated sticker images (WEBP or PNG)

animations/ includes GIFs or short animated clips

profile_photos/ and avatars/
These folders store:

Your profile pictures over time

Group or channel avatars if they were included in the export

css/ and js/ (for HTML Exports)
If you exported your data in HTML format:

css/ contains stylesheets that make your exported chats visually clean and readable

js/ provides basic browser interactivity (e.g., message filtering or navigation)

data/ or attachments/
In JSON exports, data/ or attachments/ may appear. These are where referenced media files are stored, particularly in more advanced or custom exports.

3. How to Use the Directory Efficiently
Now that you know what’s inside, here’s how to work with the export:

Browse Offline: Open index.html in any browser to navigate chats and media without internet.

Analyze Programmatically: Use the JSON files in tools like Python or Excel for data analysis, sentiment tracking, or visualization.

Archive Securely: Move the full folder to external drives or cloud backups. Be sure not to separate the media folders from the main directory—they rely on relative paths.

Search & Filter: Use your browser’s Ctrl + F or tools like Visual Studio Code to search through large chat histories.