Many people who liked Twitter’s previous experience have switched to Bluesky, which is the closest substitute in terms of how the social networking app feels, looks, and works, following Twitter‘s rebranding as X. Decentralization also has benefits, such as less censorship and more control over your own data. Before switching, there’s a lot to learn about this relatively new social networking platform, particularly how Bluesky stacks up to X/Twitter.
If you’ve already signed up for an account out of sheer excitement or curiosity, we don’t blame you. Many users created Bluesky accounts as soon as the site started gaining popular — but never ended up utilizing it. Building an algorithm that works for you requires daily use and interactions with other users, just like with any other social media network. You can follow these steps to keep your current data if you haven’t had time to move to Bluesky.
Creating a CAR file from your Bluesky data
Bluesky exports your data as a CAR (Content Addressable Archives) file that simplifies data extraction. This file accomplishes its goal of compiling your publicly available data into a small package, but its contents aren’t comparable to or as easily accessible as those of a standard JSON export. Note that no media or private information, such as your direct messages, will be included in this CAR file. The following are the procedures to export your Bluesky data, which may be done using an iOS or Android app or online in a browser:
On your device, log into your Bluesky account.
Navigate to Settings. This option should be visible in the sidebar on the web version. Swiping through the hamburger menu on the mobile app will take you to the settings page.
The “Account” option can be tapped or clicked.
Then select “Export my data.”
Choose “Download CAR file” as the last option.
After that, a file with your Bluesky data will soon be downloaded to your device. Once you have the CAR file, you can host your own on Bluesky or switch to another server. The contents of this file can be parsed into a more familiar JSON format, although doing so calls for some technical expertise. You can follow the instructions at Bluesky’s documentation if you’re interested.
Deleting your account on Bluesky
You can permanently remove your Bluesky account after exporting your data. Your profile will be erased along with all of your shared photos and posts. It merely takes a few simple steps to delete your Bluesky account:
Go into your Bluesky account on your computer or phone.
Go to Account > Settings. To access these choices on the mobile app, you must hit the hamburger menu.
Press “Delete account.”
Bluesky will request confirmation by email. The “Send Email” button should be tapped.
An email with a confirmation number should be sent to you temporarily. Verify your entry of this code and your profile password by selecting “Delete my account.”
If you haven’t gotten an email, go to Settings > Account to see which email address is linked to your Bluesky account. By selecting “Change email” and inputting a new email address, you can modify your current one.
You can also choose to temporarily deactivate your account with Bluesky. If you’re taking a break or don’t want to fully ruin your Bluesky profile, this can be helpful. Additionally, it makes it appear as though your account has been destroyed by hiding your posts and profile from other users. Tap the “Deactivate account” option after selecting Settings > Account. There is no time restriction on how long your Bluesky account can be deleted, in contrast to several other social media sites. Just enter your login and password to access the site again at any time.