How to Export Character.AI Data — and Save Characters as Importable Cards

On October 12, 2026, Character.AI published An Update on Character.ai: the company started a voluntary Chapter 11 process to run a court-supervised sale. The same post says the platform remains up and running, that the sale is expected to finish by the end of November or perhaps early December 2026, and that if no actionable bid keeps the platform going, it will be wound down.

That combination is why people are suddenly searching for “export Character.AI,” “is Character.AI shutting down,” and “how do I save my characters.” This guide answers those questions with two tracks: official account/chat export, and saving character definitions as portable cards. It is not a panic countdown and not a claim that Character.AI is already closed.

We build AIME and the AIME Character Atlas. We disclose that up front. Where we mention importing into AIME, we mean a Tavern V2/V3 PNG with embedded character data — not Character.AI’s official data zip. Facts below were checked on 2026-10-26 (Asia/Shanghai) against Character.AI’s blog and Help Center; if those pages change, trust the live official copy over this article.

What Character.AI has said (sale timeline)

From the official blog post dated October 12, 2026:

• Character.AI initiated a voluntary Chapter 11 case to facilitate a court-supervised sale of the company.
• The company hopes the sale yields a proposal that allows continued operations.
• If such a bid is unavailable, the platform will be wound down.
• You can continue to access services at this time — the platform is not described as shut down.
• The sale process is currently expected to complete by end of November or early December 2026.
• Paid subscriptions remain active for now; billing is unchanged until Character.AI says otherwise.
• Users can delete an account or export data through the app or website, under the existing Privacy Policy.

Is Character.AI shutting down?

Not today, according to Character.AI. “Shutting down” is a possible outcome if the sale does not produce a bid that keeps the service running — not a confirmed close date. Read updates on their blog and Help Center rather than rumor threads.

Track A — Request the official data export

Character.AI’s Help article How do I download my data? (updated October 8, 2026) describes how to request a copy of your account data.

On the web

1. Open your Profile.
2. Open Profile Settings.
3. Open Account.
4. Open Manage Account & Data.
5. Choose Export Data.

A pop-up should confirm that you will receive an email with a download link.

In the mobile app

1. Open your Profile.
2. Tap the Settings icon.
3. Open Legal & Privacy.
4. Tap Export Data.

You should see a success banner once the request is submitted.

Timing — plan for weeks, not hours

Per the same Help article (checked 2026-10-26):

• Processing may take 3–4 weeks.
• When ready, Character.AI emails a download link to the address on the account.
• The link is valid for 7 days from when the email is sent — download promptly and check spam.

That lag is why waiting until mid-November to click Export is risky relative to the expected sale window. Request the export now, even if you are not sure you will leave.

What the official export is — and is not

Character.AI frames this as exporting your data / chats (privacy / account-access style), not as a “migrate my bots to another app” product. Third-party migration write-ups (for example charactermigration.com/export, updated October 20, 2026) note that Character.AI has not said the package includes import-ready character cards for SillyTavern-style tools.

When your zip arrives, open it and check what you actually received. Do not assume every field you care about is inside. Treat character definitions as a separate backup job (Track B).

We are not inventing a fixed file-name list here. Older community reports describe JSON bundles; layouts can change. Your download is the source of truth.

Track B — Save characters separately

A character card (often a PNG with embedded JSON, sometimes a JSON file) is how many roleplay front-ends — including SillyTavern and AIME’s Character Atlas — move a character’s definition. That is a different object from an account data export. For a discovery overview of where cards live in the wild, see Where to Find SillyTavern Character Cards.

Characters you created

Open each character’s edit page and copy the fields you can see into a plain text or notes file while the site is still available. Migration guides commonly list Name, Tagline, Description, Greeting, and Definition as the useful set — use whatever Character.AI’s editor shows you that day. Keep an untouched copy before you rewrite anything for another app.

If you later build or convert a Tavern V2/V3 PNG (chara / ccv3 style), you can import that file into tools that accept the format.

Characters made by others

Some fields — especially Definition — may be private or unavailable. Do not try to bypass those restrictions. Only copy or move a character if you created it or clearly have permission from the creator or rights holder. Public visibility alone is not permission.

About browser extensions (Chatbot Manager / “CAI Tools”)

Some SillyTavern and third-party import guides point Character.AI users at a browser extension historically called CAI Tools, now often discussed as Chatbot Manager. Migration sites that mention it usually say they have not audited the extension and do not endorse its security or privacy practices.

We have not audited it either, and we do not endorse it. If you consider any third-party extension:

• Read the store publisher, requested permissions, and privacy policy yourself.
• Prefer official Export Data + manual copies of your own characters as the default path.
• Remember: if a Definition is private, tools that respect the site cannot invent it for you.

Official export ≠ an importable Tavern card

AIME’s import path is documented here: How to Import a SillyTavern / Tavern Character Card into AIME. Card studio is at characters.365aime.com/studio. Today that path expects a PNG with embedded character metadata — not Character.AI’s account zip, and not a promise that every C.AI field maps one-to-one.

Where you can take a card next

Once you have a compatible card file (or rebuilt fields into one):

1. SillyTavern on desktop — the community front-end many people already use. We do not maintain SillyTavern; follow its docs.
2. AIME on phone — import via Character Atlas, then continue in the AIME app (iOS 15+ / Android per 365aime.com). Step-by-step: the import guide. Product map: What Is AIME Character Atlas?.
3. Other apps that claim Tavern import — check each product’s own docs the day you migrate. We are not listing unverified importers here.

AIME is free to download; AIME Premium is optional. Prices appear in the App Store / Play Store at purchase — we do not hard-code amounts. AIME’s public catalog is still small compared with Character.AI’s community library; we say that plainly in our Character.AI alternatives guide.

Switching apps after you have backups

• Finish Track A (official export) and Track B (definitions / cards) before you delete anything.
• If you are comparing apps for memory, voice, or group chat, start with Best Character.AI Alternatives in 2026 and our explainer on AI chat long-term memory.
• Give a memory-focused app a few days of real use before judging it.
• Start on free tiers; read age ratings and content policies.
• Characters and replies on AIME are fictional AI and do not replace professional advice.

FAQ

Is Character.AI shutting down?

As of Character.AI’s October 12, 2026 update, no — the platform remains up. The company is running a court-supervised sale expected around end of November / early December 2026. If no bid keeps the service running, Character.AI says the platform will be wound down. Watch their official blog for changes.

How long does a Character.AI export take?

The Help Center (updated October 8, 2026) says exports may take 3–4 weeks. The download link is emailed and stays valid for 7 days. Request early.

Does Export Data include character cards?

Character.AI describes an account data export, including chats in its help framing. It has not marketed the feature as producing Tavern-style cards other apps import. Save character definitions separately, and inspect whatever file you eventually receive.

How do I save my characters as cards?

For characters you created: copy visible edit fields into a backup file now; later convert or rebuild into a Tavern PNG if your destination needs that format. For others’ characters: only with permission; do not bypass private Definitions. See Track B above.

Can I import Character.AI characters into AIME?

AIME imports Tavern Character Cards (V2/V3) via Character Atlas — typically a PNG with embedded chara / ccv3 data. We do not claim Character.AI’s official export zip drops straight into Card studio. Follow the import guide once you have a compatible PNG.

Is Chatbot Manager / CAI Tools safe?

We have not audited that extension and do not endorse it. Treat it as optional third-party software: review permissions yourself, or stick to official Export Data plus manual copies of your own characters.

Will exporting delete my chats?

Character.AI lists export and account deletion as separate actions in the materials we cite. The Help pages we opened do not clearly say that exporting wipes chats. If you need certainty, check Character.AI’s current Help wording or support before you delete anything.

Next step

1. Today: request Export Data in Character.AI (web or app).
2. Today: copy or otherwise back up the characters you created (and only those you have rights to).
3. When you have a Tavern PNG, import it at Card studio using our import guide.
4. Still choosing an app? Read Character.AI alternatives or browse Character Atlas.
5. Ready to chat on your phone: download AIME from 365aime.com (prices in the store).

Still hunting for example card files (not C.AI scrapes)? See where to find SillyTavern character cards and using cards on iPhone / Android.