23andMe Is in Trouble: How to Save Your DNA Data and Get Better Indian Ancestry Results

If you are one of the millions of people who tested with 23andMe, you may have been following the news with growing concern. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025, and the situation has raised serious questions about data access, privacy, and the long-term future of the platform. For Indians and NRIs who used 23andMe, there is an additional frustration: the South Asian results were already limited, and the chances of improvement are now even slimmer.

The good news is that your raw DNA data is yours, and you can download it right now. This guide walks you through exactly how to do that - and what you can do with your data once you have it.

What's Happening with 23andMe

23andMe has faced a series of significant challenges over the past year. Here is a factual summary of where things stand:

• Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing (March 2025): 23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing declining revenue and mounting costs. Chapter 11 allows a company to restructure while continuing operations, but the outcome is uncertain.
• Board resignations and leadership changes: Several independent board members resigned in 2024, citing governance concerns. CEO Anne Wojcicki's initial proposal to take the company private was rejected by the board's independent directors before their departure.
• Data privacy concerns: Multiple state attorneys general in the US have issued statements urging 23andMe users to consider downloading their data and requesting account deletion, given the uncertainty about how user data might be handled during or after bankruptcy proceedings.
• Staff reductions: The company has reduced its workforce significantly as part of cost-cutting measures.

As of now, 23andMe says existing users can still log in, access their results, and download their raw data. However, the situation is evolving, and there is no guarantee that data access policies will remain the same if the company is acquired, restructured, or wound down.

This is not about panic - it is about taking a sensible precaution. Downloading your data takes five minutes and costs nothing.

How to Download Your 23andMe Raw Data Right Now

Follow these steps to download your raw DNA data file from 23andMe. This works as of the time of writing - if the interface has changed, look for similar options in your account settings.

What to Do With Your Downloaded Data

Once you have your raw DNA data file saved, you have several options. Here are the most useful ones for Indian users:

Option 1: Upload to Helixline for Indian-Specific Ancestry Analysis

If you tested with 23andMe hoping for detailed Indian ancestry results, you were likely disappointed. 23andMe's South Asian analysis typically shows "South Asian 100%" or "Broadly South Asian" with little regional detail. This is because their reference database was built primarily from diaspora samples and does not capture the genetic diversity within India.

Helixline's raw DNA upload service re-analyses your existing data against a South Asian-focused reference database. For ₹2,500, you get:

• 75+ Indian regional population panels - Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Bengali, Rajasthani, Marathi, Kashmiri, and dozens of community-specific panels
• ANI/ASI ratio - your Ancestral North Indian vs Ancestral South Indian proportion
• AASI percentage - Ancient Ancestral South Indian ancestry tracing back 50,000 - 65,000 years
• Steppe and Iranian farmer ancestry components
• Haplogroup confirmation with full subclade resolution
• Results in 24 - 48 hours - no waiting weeks for a new kit

The difference is significant. Where 23andMe might show "South Asian 100%", Helixline can show you the specific regional and community-level composition of your ancestry. Your raw data already contains the information - it just needs the right reference database and algorithm to interpret it.

Option 2: Upload to Genealogy and Matching Platforms

If you are interested in finding genetic relatives or building a family tree, several platforms accept raw DNA uploads:

• GEDmatch - free DNA matching and admixture tools, widely used by genealogy enthusiasts
• DNA Painter - visual chromosome mapping for family tree research
• FamilyTreeDNA - accepts transfers from other platforms for relative matching
• MyHeritage - accepts uploads for DNA matching with their user base

These platforms serve different purposes than Helixline. They are primarily useful for finding genetic cousins and building genealogical connections, rather than detailed ancestry composition analysis.

Option 3: Keep It Safe for Future Use

Even if you do not want to re-analyse your data right now, simply having the file is valuable. DNA analysis technology continues to improve, and new platforms and tools are being developed regularly. Your raw data file does not expire - it will be just as useful in five years as it is today. The important thing is to have it in your possession, not locked inside a platform whose future is uncertain.

Why Indian Users Should Act Now

For Indians and NRIs, the 23andMe situation has a specific dimension that makes acting promptly especially important:

23andMe's South Asian analysis was already the weakest part of their product. Their reference database was never designed to capture the genetic diversity of the Indian subcontinent - a region with more genetic structure than all of Europe combined, thanks to thousands of years of endogamy across hundreds of distinct communities.

With the company now in bankruptcy and focused on restructuring, the likelihood of 23andMe investing in improved South Asian reference panels is essentially zero. Even in the best-case scenario where 23andMe continues operating, Indian users were not going to see meaningfully better results.

Your raw DNA file contains 600,000 - 700,000 genetic markers - the same data regardless of which platform analyses it. The difference between "South Asian 100%" and a detailed state-and-community-level breakdown comes entirely from the reference database and algorithms used for analysis. By downloading your data and uploading it to a platform built for South Asian genetics, you unlock the information that was always there in your DNA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my data safe with 23andMe during bankruptcy?

During Chapter 11 proceedings, 23andMe has stated that existing users can still access their accounts and data. However, bankruptcy proceedings can result in a company's assets - potentially including user data - being sold or transferred to new owners with different privacy policies. Multiple US state attorneys general have publicly recommended that users download their data as a precaution. The safest approach is to download your raw data file now, while access is available, and store it on your own devices. Once you have your own copy, you control it regardless of what happens to the company.

What format is the 23andMe raw data file?

23andMe provides your raw genotype data as a .zip file containing a .txt file. The text file lists each SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) with its rsID, chromosome, position, and your genotype at that location. The file is typically 5 - 15 MB and contains 600,000 - 700,000 markers. This is a standard format accepted by most third-party analysis platforms, including Helixline, GEDmatch, FamilyTreeDNA, and others. You do not need to convert or reformat it.

Can I delete my 23andMe account after downloading my data?

Yes. Once you have downloaded and securely stored your raw DNA data file (in at least two locations), you can request account deletion through 23andMe's Settings page. Account deletion removes your data from 23andMe's servers, which some users prefer given the uncertainty around future data ownership. Before deleting, confirm that your downloaded file opens correctly and is not corrupted. Your raw data file works independently of your 23andMe account - you do not need to keep the account active to use the data elsewhere.