How to download and backup Tumblr blogs (before the adult content ban)

Log in page for Tumblr with illustration saying how to back up your content

Backup Tumblr blogs and download your Tumblr videos and pictures. Since Tumblr announced that it will ban adult content on December 17, people are wondering how they can backup their content.

Don’t worry, we have you covered as we explain exactly how you can backup Tumblr.

The new policy banning adult content will prohibit “photos, videos, or GIFs that show real-life human genitals or female-presenting nipples.”

So, if you have adult content on your own Tumblr, you will need to backup before December 17 or you might lose them forever.

How to backup tumblr. download Tumblr videos and pictures

It’s really easy to back up your Tumblr. To download the pictures and videos from your blog, simply follow these steps:

  • Click the Account button in the upper right hand of the dashboard
  • Press Settings
  • Choose the blog account you want to save
  • Click the Export icon at the bottom of the new screen
  • Wait while it processes
  • Once done, a Download backup button will appear
  • Download the ZIP file to your device

You must repeat the process for each of your Tumblr blogs that you wish to save.

But these steps will not only save your videos and picture in a media file, but it will also save your conversations, HTML files of your posts.

If you have adult content on your Tumblr that you wish to save, we recommend downloading a backup of your blog as soon as possible. You have until December 17.

How to turn off Tumblr safe mode

If you’re also wondering how to turn off Tumblr safe mode, we’ve got you covered as well. Here is how you can turn off the safe mode when using Tumblr.

From the web: Click on the profile icon and then Settings. Under your Account, it will then say Filtering and Safe Mode. You will have the option to swipe it on and off.

Exceptions to the Tumblr adult content ban

The ban was decided after Apple’s iOS App Store decided to drop Tumblr over the discovery of child abuse being shared. It will be a huge change for the website with some estimates that 20 percent of Tumblr is pornographic.

In light of this, the new guidelines state that the same rules apply to all users, “regardless of how old you are.”

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However, the Tumblr adult content ban will not include images of “health-related situations, such as post-mastectomy or gender confirmation surgery,” “exposed female-presenting nipples in connection with breastfeeding” or “birth or after-birth moments.”

“Written content such as erotica, nudity related to political or newsworthy speech, and nudity found in art, such as sculptures and illustrations, are also stuff that can be freely posted on Tumblr,” the guidelines explain. For this reason, it’s likely the safe mode will still exist.

“Bottom line: There are no shortage of sites on the internet that feature adult content. We will leave it to them.”

— Jeff D’Onofrio

The company’s CEO Jeff D’Onofrio said that this ban will create “a safe place for creative expression, self-discovery, and a deep sense of community.”

“Bottom line: There are no shortage of sites on the internet that feature adult content. We will leave it to them and focus our efforts on creating the most welcoming environment possible for our community.”

LGBT community reacts to the ban

There is a big presence of the LGBT+ community on Tumblr. On Twitter, many users showed their disappointment for the ban.

One person tweeted: “tumblr is literally the only place where its easy to find nsfw lgbt content for and by actual lgbt people. its soooo hard to find s**t that isnt harmful or fetishy when it comes to nsfw for gay and trans people.”

A tweet about Tumblr's decision to ban adult content from its platform

Tweet reacting to the adult content ban (sasugayuchiha/twitter)

Another Twitter user suggested they were finished with the blog site, writing: “thank u @tumblr for introducing me to the gay culture and my first gay porno. you will be missed xo.”

Similar, a different user said: “Legit though I only used Tumblr for porn anymore and I haven’t even logged into the sfw one in like a year and a half so I guess it’s time to tidy up and take my gay ass elsewhere bye bitch.”

Indeed, it’s a huge change for the platform, and we’ll soon see how many users they lose in the process. In the meantime, backup, download and save your content as soon as possible.

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