If you are looking for a way to transfer a profile into or out of a 23andMe account, this article will explain what a profile transfer is, how to conduct a profile transfer, and address some frequently asked questions.
- What is a profile transfer?
- How do I complete a profile transfer?
- How do I cancel a profile transfer request?
- How do I transfer a profile that is associated with the 23andMe+ subscription service?
- Why am I getting this error message when I try to confirm a profile transfer?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a profile transfer?
You can create a 23andMe account at any time with a valid email address. You will then be prompted to register a 23andMe kit using the 14-digit barcode found on the side of your 23andMe sample tube. Once you complete the kit registration process, you will see a profile for your kit within your 23andMe account.
If you want to register multiple kits, you can decide whether to register each kit to separate accounts or create one account with multiple profiles.
However, if you do not register a sample kit to your account, then your account will default to an empty Demo Account.
The chart below shows the different types of 23andMe accounts:
| Demo Account | Single Profile Account | Multi-Profile Account |
|---|---|---|
|
Account |
Account |
Account |
| No Registered Kits |
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Occasionally, a customer may decide that they would like to transfer their profile out of one account and into a separate account. Below are some examples of when a profile transfer would be appropriate:
- A customer wishes to transfer their profile to another customer who is authorized to manage their profile on their behalf, such as a spouse or legally authorized representative.
- A customer is no longer a minor and becomes an adult. The minor-turned-adult would like to transfer their profile to their own account and out of their parent or guardian’s account.
Here are some examples of what a profile transfer can look like:
- Transferring profile out of a Multi-Profile Account to an Empty Demo Account
- Transferring a profile from a Single Profile Account to a Multi-Profile Account
| Multi-Profile Account | Empty Demo Account | |
|---|---|---|
|
Initiating Account |
Destination Account |
|
|
Profile A |
||
|
Profile B |
||
|
Profile C |
| Single Profile Account | Multi-Profile Account | |
|---|---|---|
|
Initiating Account |
Destination Account |
|
|
Profile A |
||
|
Profile B |
||
|
Profile C |
How do I complete a profile transfer?
Step 1: Establish a destination account
In order for a profile transfer to be successful, you have to know which account you would like to transfer your profile to. This account is a “Destination Account.” If a new Destination Account does not yet exist, please create one by going to https://auth.23andme.com/ and completing the registration process.
Once you have finished creating the Destination Account, move on to Step 2.
Step 2: Initiate the profile transfer
Navigate to the profile transfer portal: (https://you.23andme.com/user/transfer/) to have the Initiating Account log in and begin the profile transfer process.
After selecting the profile you wish to transfer and typing in the email address of the Destination Account, a confirmation email for the transfer will be sent to the account email address initiating the transfer.
Please go back to Step 1 to create a Destination Account with your desired destination email address if you encounter the following error message,
“Sorry, we couldn’t complete your request. Please try again.”
Step 3: Confirm the profile transfer request
Once you complete Step 2, check the inbox of the Initiating Account for the profile transfer confirmation email. When you receive the confirmation email, confirm the transfer by clicking the “Confirm Transfer” button within the email.
Once the Initiating Account confirms the transfer, an email notification will be sent to the Destination Account to accept the profile transfer.
Step 4: Accept the profile transfer
The Destination Account will receive a notification email titled “Profile Transfer Request” once the Initiating Account has confirmed the transfer request. The Destination Account will need to accept the transfer before it is complete and the profile is available within the Destination Account. Note, the Destination Account must accept the profile transfer from an alternate device than that which initiated the transfer.
After clicking “View pending transfer”, you will be redirected to the profile transfer portal. The Destination Account will then log into their 23andMe account to click “Accept” and accept the profile transfer.
Once the transfer has been accepted, the Destination Account may need to log out and log back in before they are able to access the newly transferred profile.
How do I cancel a profile transfer?
Option 1
During Step 2 (“Initiate the Profile Transfer”), the Initiating Account can click “ Cancel “. The “You’ve requested to transfer” box will update to show that the profile transfer has been canceled.
Option 2
During Step 4 (“Confirm the Profile Transfer”): Even if the Initiating Account confirms the transfer, the Initiating Account may still cancel the transfer by revisiting the profile transfer portal (https://you.23andme.com/user/transfer/) and clicking “ Cancel ”. This option will be available until the Destination Account owner confirms the transfer request.
Option 3
During Step 4 (“Accept the profile transfer”): The Destination Account owner may click “ Reject ” when they are asked to confirm a profile transfer.
Profile Transfers for Profiles Associated with 23andMe+
Note: At this time, profile transfers are not available for customers who have a profile associated with a 23andMe+ subscription. We apologize for any inconvenience and our team is working to release this functionality soon.
Why am I getting an error message when I try to confirm a profile transfer?
If the error message above appears, you may be trying to initiate a profile transfer and accept a profile transfer on the same device. We suggest using different devices to initiate the transfer and accept the transfer.
If the error message above appears, this is because a destination account has not yet been created with the desired email address. Please create a new account using the desired email address and then try again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between a 23andMe account and a 23andMe profile?
A 23andMe account can hold one or more profiles. An account with one profile is called a Single Profile Account and an account with more than one profile is called a Multi-Profile Account. An account with no profiles is called a Demo Account.
Can I use the mobile app to initiate or accept a profile transfer?
Unfortunately, the iOS and Android apps do not support profile transfers at this time.
Am I able to transfer a profile back into an account that the profile was transferred out of?
Yes, as long as you are able to repeat the process outlined above. A profile may still be transferred back into the original account.
What should I do if I don’t receive a confirmation email to my email address?
Please check that you entered the correct email addresses and check your email inbox’s spam folder. If you continue to encounter issues, contact Customer Care for additional assistance.
Will a profile transfer disrupt connections I’ve already established with relatives and loved ones?
When a profile transfer is completed, the profile will lose all Sharing Connections that were previously established or in pending status before the transfer. However, the newly transferred profile can proceed by re-establishing Sharing Connections.
What happens to profile requests to download or delete data?
Any requests to download or delete data will be canceled in the event of a profile transfer. You can make these requests again once the profile transfer is complete or canceled.