How long does the DNA download take per provider?
You do not need to wait weeks — but every provider has its own process and pitfalls. Here is what to expect.
Overview: wait time and pitfall per provider
| Provider | Wait time | Pitfall |
|---|---|---|
| MyHeritage | Minutes (email with link) | The link is only valid 24 hours — download immediately. Does not work on iPhone/iPad. |
| 23andMe | Minutes to days | The request is not sent instantly; you get an email when the file is ready. The zip is usually named genome_…. |
| AncestryDNA | Up to ~24 hours | The email link can only be used once and expires within ~7 days. |
| FamilyTreeDNA | Nearly instant | Requires 2FA enabled. The file is .csv.gz — DNAHelper reads .gz directly in modern browsers, or unpack it first. |
Why the wait times differ
MyHeritage and Ancestry generate the export on request and send an email link — hence minutes to a day. 23andMe generates the export on request and emails you when it is ready — the wait varies from minutes to days. FamilyTreeDNA gives nearly instant access but requires two-factor authentication on the account first.
Tips that save time
- Request the export on a computer, not your phone — MyHeritage does not allow it on iOS at all.
- Watch for the email — links expire (MyHeritage 24 h, Ancestry ~7 days, single use).
- Do it all in one session: request → download → drop into DNAHelper. The MyHeritage zip goes straight in; zips from 23andMe/Ancestry unpack to
.txtfirst, and.gzis read directly (or unpacked to.csv). - Enable FTDNA 2FA in advance if you plan to use them — otherwise you stall.
Once the file is down
Drop the file on app.dnahelper.com — the entire analysis runs locally in the browser and the file is not uploaded (the optional DNA Chat feature is a separate, consent-gated exception). Your full 24-hour trial only starts when the analysis completes.
Also: File formats by provider · What happens to your DNA file? · Check your file — free tool · English overview