The short answer
As far as widely available information shows, you cannot upload your AncestryDNA raw data to 23andMe. 23andMe has generally relied on samples processed in its own lab and has not offered an upload tool for results from other companies. If you want to appear in 23andMe’s matching database, the usual route has been to take a 23andMe test.
Company policies and even company ownership can change, so check 23andMe’s current website before you buy anything. 23andMe went through significant business changes in 2025, and details of its services may have shifted since.
Why transfers to 23andMe are not offered
Each company uses its own testing chips and processing. Matching works best when data comes from the company’s own pipeline, which is part of why some companies accept uploads and others do not. Ancestry and 23andMe both keep their matching databases to their own customers, so your Ancestry matches stay at Ancestry, and your 23andMe matches stay at 23andMe.
What you can do with your AncestryDNA raw data
Ancestry lets you download a copy of your raw DNA data. Several other services accept uploads from Ancestry. Policies, prices and features change, so confirm details on each site. One common use is estimating a haplogroup from your raw file; see What Is My Haplogroup?.
| Site | What it is generally used for |
|---|---|
| MyHeritage | Matching against its own database, which has strong coverage in parts of Europe |
| FamilyTreeDNA | Matching and some tools, with some advanced features at extra cost |
| GEDmatch | Comparing data across companies, with some tools free and others by subscription |
| Living DNA | Ethnicity reports and matching from uploaded data |
Prices quoted in older articles may be out of date, so treat any figure you see as a starting point only.
How to download your raw data from Ancestry
The steps usually look like this:
- Sign in to Ancestry and open your DNA results summary.
- Open the settings for the test.
- Find the option to download raw DNA data.
- Confirm with your password. Ancestry typically emails you a link to download the file.
- Download promptly, because the link may expire after a short time.
The file is generally a compressed text file. Do not edit it. Upload it as it is, in the form the receiving site asks for.
Before you upload anywhere
- Read the privacy policy and terms of each site.
- Think about relatives. Your DNA is partly shared with them, and some may not want their genetic information used this way.
- Consider whether you are comfortable with law-enforcement access policies, which differ between sites.
- Use strong, unique passwords, and delete data from a site if you decide not to use it, following that site’s process.
Should you take a 23andMe test as well?
Some people test with more than one company to reach different matching databases. It can help, since each company’s database contains different people. The best choice depends on your goals:
- If you want to build a family tree and find relatives, a database with many tested members and linked trees is generally most helpful. Ancestry has historically been known for its large database and tree tools, and our guide on how ThruLines work explains one of them.
- If you want health-related or other features, check what 23andMe currently offers and under what ownership, since this has changed.
Because the ethnicity estimates from different companies use different reference data and methods, results from two companies can differ. Neither is simply right or wrong, and the question of which is more accurate does not have a single answer. Estimates are best treated as approximate, particularly for small percentages.
Does AncestryDNA work with 23andMe?
They do not share a database or accounts. You can compare your results by looking at each company’s report side by side, but your matches will not cross over. If you want to compare DNA across companies directly, a cross-company tool such as GEDmatch can help for those who upload data from each company.
Related account questions
If you manage multiple accounts or kits, learn how sharing works in linking AncestryDNA results to another account. To make the most of your Ancestry test, make sure it is attached to your tree by following how to link your DNA results to your tree.
Summary
- Transferring AncestryDNA raw data to 23andMe has generally not been possible.
- You can download your Ancestry raw data and upload it to other services that accept it.
- To appear in 23andMe’s database, you would need a 23andMe test, subject to the company’s current offerings.
- Always review privacy terms before uploading genetic data, and consider the wishes of your relatives.