Mastodon has a settings import and export feature as part of its procedure for transferring your account to another server.
However, you can also use this import and export feature to share some of your settings with other people. These include:
- Account blocks
- Account mutes
- Server blocks
- Lists
- Filters
- Follows (Accounts you follow, but NOT accounts following you. Accounts following you are transferred by a different method to prevent abuse and spam.)
- Bookmarks
These settings can be exported and imported as special kinds of files called CSV and JSON. Don’t panic though, you don’t need to know anything technical about these! All that matters is that you can download these files from your Mastodon account, share them with people whichever way you think is appropriate, and they can upload them to their accounts.
To download a settings file from your account:
- Sign into your server’s website or web app
- If you’re on a computer click ⚙️ Preferences on the right. If you’re on mobile click ☰ in the bottom right corner and then ⚙️ Preferences.
- If you’re on a computer click Import and export on the left. If you’re on mobile click ☰ in the top right corner, then scroll down and click on Import and export.
- This should take you to the “Export” page, where you can download the setting you want to share or transfer by clicking on the “CSV” or “JSON” links beside it. For example if you wanted to download your Lists you would click on the CSV link next to “Lists”. If you wanted to download your Filters you would click on the JSON link next to “Filters”. When you click on the link, it will download the file to your computer or phone.
- Do this for all the settings you want to share.
How do I share the settings file I’ve downloaded?
If the settings file contains stuff that you’re comfortable sharing with the entire world, you can put it on a website or offer to email it to people who request it.
If the settings file contains stuff you want to keep restricted to a certain circle of people, you should use whatever methods you normally use to send or share sensitive info.
(Either way, you cannot share them through Mastodon posts or DMs as the attachment system does not accept CSV or JSON files.)
To upload a settings file to your account:
- Sign into your server’s website or web app
- If you’re on a computer click ⚙️ Preferences on the right. If you’re on mobile click ☰ in the bottom right corner and then ⚙️ Preferences.
- If you’re on a computer click Import and export on the left. If you’re on mobile click ☰ in the top right corner, then scroll down and click on Import and export.
- If you’re on a computer click Import on the left. If you’re on mobile click ☰ in the top right corner, then scroll down and click on Import.
- Click on the Import type menu and select the kind of setting file you want to upload
- Click on the “Browse” button in the Data section and select the CSV or JSON file that you want to upload
- Select Merge if you want to add the settings to your existing ones, or Overwrite if you want to delete your own settings and replace them with just what’s in the file
- Click Upload
⚠️ SAFETY ISSUES
- Be really careful about the source of any files you import. Only upload files from people or organisations you trust.
- Once you alter settings using a file upload, you can only undo them by manually adjusting your account’s settings or by using any backups you’ve taken (but backups will not restore broken follows). There is no simple “undo” button for imports, so be sure the file is trustworthy and what you really want before you import it.
- This method can be used to share blocklists. However, be sure that you trust the source of a blocklist before you import it to your account. Some abusers/trolls/spammers add innocent accounts or innocent servers to blocklists maliciously as a form of revenge or censorship. Well-run blocklists will have a clear method for contacting the maintainers to report errors or malicious submissions.
- There is a potential for sharing of follows files to be misused. If you’re running a personal account on Mastodon it’s a good idea to switch on the follow request system, which means no one can follow you without your approval. With the request system switched on, any attempt to follow you will show up as a request that you can accept or reject or ignore. If you notice malicious follow requests, or if you have any other problems related to moderation, contact your server admin for assistance as they have more powerful tools at their disposal.
- If you want to be extra careful and are willing to do a bit of extra effort, download your own settings as backup files before you upload someone else’s file. If the uploaded file doesn’t do what you wanted, you can then upload your backup file and select “overwrite” to put things back the way they were as far as possible (although backups will not restore broken follows, you will have to refollow manually).
Do the settings get automatically updated for other people when the original person who made the settings file changes it?
No. The downloaded file contains that person’s settings at that point in time, and does not change after it is downloaded. To share updated settings you need to export your file again, and other people need to upload the updated file for it to take effect.
Is Mastodon’s “Lists” feature anything to do with blocklists?
No. Lists is a totally different feature that lets people create customised mini-timelines. It has nothing to do with blocking or muting people.
Can I share settings files in Mastodon posts or DMs?
There is no way to attach CSV or JSON files to Mastodon posts, but you could post a link to a website where you have hosted the files you want to share.
There’s an option on the Export page that says “Request your archive”. Should I use this?
No. It is a totally different feature which has nothing to do with sharing settings.