OnlyFans to Fansly Migration Content Lost: Recovery Guide 2026
Moving from OnlyFans to Fansly is one of the most high-stakes technical operations a creator can attempt. There is no automated migration tool, no content handoff between platforms, and no second chance if you delete your OnlyFans account before securing every file. Creators lose content during migration in three distinct ways: the OnlyFans data export misses entire categories of media, local source files get deleted to free up disk space, or external drives storing backups fail at the worst moment. This guide covers every loss scenario, what you can and cannot recover from the platform, and how to recover locally deleted files using data recovery software before your migration is complete.
Part 1. Why Content Gets Lost During OnlyFans-to-Fansly Migration
Content loss during platform migration typically happens through one of three vectors — and understanding which one applies to your situation determines what recovery options remain available.
Loss vector 1 — Account banned or suspended mid-migration. If OnlyFans suspends your account before you complete the data export, you lose access to the export tool entirely. Reinstatement is not guaranteed, and the timeline is unpredictable.
Loss vector 2 — Export completed but media is missing. The OnlyFans data export does not capture all content categories. DM media attachments and certain PPV vault items are frequently absent or incomplete, leaving creators with gaps they only discover after account deletion.
Loss vector 3 — Local source files deleted. Many creators delete their local copies to free disk space, assuming the OnlyFans export or their upload history is a complete backup. It is not.
🗣️ r/onlyfansadvice user: "I deleted my OnlyFans account thinking I had downloaded everything, but I missed my DM vault — all those exclusive custom clips I sent subscribers were just gone."
Understanding which vector caused your loss is the first step before attempting any recovery.
Table 1: What OnlyFans Data Export Includes vs. Excludes
| Content Type | Included in Export? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public post photos and videos | Yes | Downloaded as media files |
| Paid / PPV posts | Yes, if still on account | Expired PPV may not appear |
| DM media sent to subscribers | Partial / often missing | Frequently absent from export |
| Message and chat text | Yes | Exported as JSON or CSV |
| Subscriber email list | Yes | If emails were collected at sign-up |
| Unlocked / purchased content history | No | Revenue data only |
| OnlyFans Vault media | Yes, if exported properly | Verify completeness after download |
| Account analytics and stats | No | Screenshot before migrating |
Part 2. Step 1 — Audit Your Content BEFORE Requesting the Export
Many creators skip the audit step and only discover what is missing after they have deleted their account. A content inventory takes less than an hour and may prevent irreversible loss.
Create a spreadsheet with four columns: Post type | Estimated file count | Confirmed in local backup (Y/N) | Confirmed in OnlyFans export (Y/N). Work through each content category — public posts, PPV posts, DM threads, vault media — and fill in each row before proceeding.
💡 Tip: Your DM vault is the most at-risk category. Before requesting an OnlyFans export, manually download all media from your most important subscriber DM threads using your browser's Save As function or a media downloader browser extension.
⚠️ Important: Do NOT delete your OnlyFans account until every item in your content inventory is confirmed backed up locally. Account deletion on OnlyFans is immediate and irreversible — the platform cannot restore a deleted account under any circumstances, regardless of the reason for deletion.
Keep the inventory spreadsheet as a living document. Update it each time you confirm a new category has been secured to an external drive.
Part 3. Step 2 — Request and Complete the OnlyFans Data Export
Once your content inventory is ready, you can request the export with a clear checklist to verify against.
Step-by-step export process:
- Log into OnlyFans → Settings → Privacy → Request data download
- OnlyFans sends a download link by email — the process typically takes 1–7 days for standard accounts
- Download the ZIP archive to an external drive (not the same drive as your primary backup)
- Extract the ZIP and verify contents against your content inventory spreadsheet
- If the export is split into multiple parts, download all parts before verifying
💡 Tip: Request your OnlyFans data export at least 2 weeks before your planned migration date. The download link expires after a set period, and you may need to request a second export if the first is incomplete — adding further delay to your timeline.
For accounts with large media libraries, the export process may take longer and may arrive in multiple compressed archives. Note which categories are present and which are absent before closing any browser sessions.
🗣️ r/fansly user: "I moved to Fansly after OnlyFans suspended my account without warning. I had 3 years of content on there. My local backup drive only had the last 6 months."
If the export arrives and DM media or vault items are missing, do not delete your account. Attempt a second export request or manually save missing media while your account remains active.
Part 4. Step 3 — Recover Locally Deleted Source Files
If you deleted local source files to free disk space — believing your OnlyFans uploads or export were sufficient backups — file recovery is often possible as long as the disk space has not been overwritten by new data. Stop writing new files to the affected drive immediately and follow the scenario that matches your situation.
Scenario A — Files deleted from a Windows PC: Stop saving new files to the drive. Run Ritridata on Windows, select the drive where the deleted files were stored, run a deep scan, filter results for MP4, MOV, JPG, and PNG file types, preview the recoverable files, and restore them to a separate external drive.
Scenario B — Files deleted from a Mac: Check the Trash folder first — files may still be there. If the Trash has been emptied, run Ritridata on your Mac, select the affected drive, and perform a deep scan to surface deleted media files.
Scenario C — External hard drive with backup content: If an external drive that held your backup was accidentally formatted or files were deleted from it, run Ritridata and select the external drive as the scan target. Formatted drives frequently retain recoverable data until that space is written over.
Scenario D — SD card used as a transfer medium: If an SD card was formatted during or after the transfer process, run Ritridata, select the SD card, and perform a deep scan. SD card recovery is supported on both Windows and Mac.
💡 Tip: The sooner you run a recovery scan after deletion, the better. Every new file written to the affected drive reduces the chance that deleted files can be recovered. Disconnect the drive from any active system until the scan is complete.
Table 2: Recovery Tool by Storage Type
| Storage Type | Ritridata Supported? | Recoverable File Types |
|---|---|---|
| Windows HDD / SSD | Yes | MP4, MOV, JPG, PNG, and more |
| Mac HDD / SSD | Yes | MP4, MOV, JPG, PNG, and more |
| External hard drive (USB, portable) | Yes | MP4, MOV, JPG, PNG, and more |
| SD card (any brand, any size) | Yes | MP4, MOV, JPG, PNG, and more |
| OnlyFans servers / deleted account | No | Platform cannot restore deleted accounts |
| Phone internal NAND storage | No | Use Dr.Fone or UltData for mobile |
Part 5. Step 4 — Upload Recovered Content to Fansly
Once your recovered files are secured on an external drive, you can begin re-uploading to Fansly.
Fansly accepted formats: MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV (video); JPG, PNG, GIF (photo). MP4 is the most reliable format for cross-device playback and is recommended when you have format options.
Fansly upload process: Create Post → Upload media → Set price or tier access → Publish. Fansly does not currently have a bulk upload or batch import tool, so organizing your recovered files into folders by original OnlyFans category before you begin will significantly reduce re-upload time.
💡 Tip: Re-upload your best-performing OnlyFans content first on Fansly. Review your OnlyFans analytics — screenshot the data before migrating — to identify your top 20 most liked or purchased posts and prioritize those for early upload to maximize new subscriber engagement.
Work through categories systematically: public posts first, then PPV content, then any DM exclusives you plan to repost as vault content. Label each folder clearly so you can track what has been uploaded and what remains.
Part 6. Step 5 — Migration Safety Timeline
A structured timeline prevents the most common migration mistakes: deleting your OnlyFans account too early, missing the export window, and skipping the recovery scan. The table below is a practical starting point — adjust dates based on your account size and upload volume.
Table 3: Pre-Migration Safety Checklist Timeline
| Weeks Before Migration | Action |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks before | Create content inventory spreadsheet across all categories |
| 6 weeks before | Set up Fansly account and test upload with sample files |
| 4 weeks before | Request OnlyFans data export |
| 3 weeks before | Verify export completeness against content inventory |
| 2 weeks before | Begin uploading priority content to Fansly |
| 1 week before | Run Ritridata scan on all local drives; recover any missing files |
| Day of migration | Keep OnlyFans account ACTIVE — do not delete yet |
| 60–90 days post-launch | Monitor Fansly subscriber retention; only then consider closing OnlyFans |
Running both platforms simultaneously during the transition period is the recommended approach. Closing your OnlyFans account too early cuts off subscriber re-engagement and eliminates any chance of recovering content you may have missed.
Part 7. Ritridata — Recover Deleted Source Files Before You Close Your Account
Ritridata is the safety net for locally deleted or lost source files during the migration process. If you deleted MP4, MOV, JPG, or PNG files from your Windows or Mac system — or from an external hard drive or SD card — Ritridata can scan the storage device and surface recoverable files before that space is permanently overwritten.
The recommended pre-migration workflow is to run a Ritridata deep scan on all storage devices connected to your computer at least 1 week before closing your OnlyFans account. This surfaces any files that may have been deleted during earlier cleanup sessions and gives you the opportunity to restore them before it is too late.
Step 1 — Install Ritridata and select the drive or storage device where the deleted source files were located (Windows HDD, Mac SSD, external hard drive, or SD card).
Step 2 — Run a deep scan. Ritridata searches the drive for recoverable MP4, MOV, JPG, PNG, and other media file signatures, including files deleted weeks or months earlier.
Step 3 — Preview the recovered files, select the ones you need, and restore them to a separate external drive — never to the same drive being scanned.
Part 8. FAQ
Q1: What does the OnlyFans data export include and exclude?
The export typically includes public posts, PPV posts, chat text, and subscriber email lists. DM media attachments and account analytics are often missing or incomplete. Always review your export against a content inventory before deleting your account — gaps in DM media are the most commonly reported issue.
Q2: Can I recover content from a deleted OnlyFans account?
No. Account deletion on OnlyFans is immediate and irreversible. OnlyFans support cannot restore a deleted account, regardless of the circumstances or how recently it was deleted.
Q3: How long does the OnlyFans data export take?
Typically 1–7 days, depending on account size. Accounts with large media libraries may take longer. Request the export at least 2 weeks before your planned migration date to allow time for a second request if the first is incomplete.
Q4: Does Fansly have a bulk upload or migration import tool?
As of 2026, Fansly does not have an automated migration import tool from OnlyFans. Content must be re-uploaded manually or in organized batches by folder.
Q5: How do I recover deleted video files from my PC before migrating?
Stop saving new files to the affected drive immediately. Run Ritridata, select the drive containing the deleted files, run a deep scan, preview recovered MP4 and MOV files, and restore them to an external drive. The sooner you act, the more files are likely to be recoverable.
Q6: What percentage of subscribers will I lose moving from OnlyFans to Fansly?
Migration retention rates vary widely and depend on how proactively you communicate the move to subscribers and whether you offer transition incentives. Creators who announce the migration early and provide a clear reason for the move typically retain more subscribers, but some attrition during the transition period is common.
Q7: Can I run OnlyFans and Fansly simultaneously?
Yes. Running both platforms simultaneously during the transition is the recommended approach. Do not close your OnlyFans account until you have established a subscriber base and uploaded your key content to Fansly — a parallel run of 60–90 days is a reasonable minimum.
Q8: What file formats does Fansly accept for video uploads?
Fansly accepts MP4, MOV, AVI, and WMV video files. MP4 is generally the most reliable format for cross-device compatibility and is recommended when you have a choice of output format.
Q9: How do I recover files from a failed external hard drive?
If the drive is logically failed — meaning it is recognized by your computer but inaccessible — Ritridata may be able to scan it and recover files. If the drive is making clicking or grinding sounds, this typically indicates physical damage; in that case, contact a professional data recovery service before attempting any software-based scan.