---
title: Download debug trace
description: Instructions how to retrieve a session debug trace to aid in troubleshooting.
---

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1. [Knowledge Base](https://support.cobrowse.io/?hsLang=en)
2. [Session data & recordings](https://support.cobrowse.io/session-data-recordings?hsLang=en)

# Download debug trace

## Download the raw session data behind a recording so Cobrowse support can investigate playback or session issues.

The trace is a diagnostic file, not something you can play back. Use it when Cobrowse support asks for one, for example when you're reporting a problem with a session and support needs to see exactly what the device sent.

### Downloading a debug trace

1. Open the **Sessions** page in the dashboard ([https://cobrowse.io/dashboard/history](https://cobrowse.io/dashboard/history), or `/dashboard/history` on your self-hosted instance) and click **Recording** on the session you want.
2. The recording page opens with the video on the left and the session details and audit trail on the right. Click the arrow to the right of **Download recording**.

![](https://support.cobrowse.io/hs-fs/hubfs/03-download-options-menu-png.png?width=591&height=380&name=03-download-options-menu-png.png)

        3.   Select **Download debug trace**.

![](https://support.cobrowse.io/hs-fs/hubfs/04-download-debug-trace-closeup-png.png?width=447&height=261&name=04-download-debug-trace-closeup-png.png)

Your browser downloads a file named `session-trace.bson`. Clicking **Download recording** itself still downloads the video only, as before.

 

![](https://support.cobrowse.io/../../../assets/knowledge-base/download-debug-trace/03-download-options-menu.png)

 

### What the trace contains

- The data the device sent during the session, in time order and in BSON format (`application/bson`).
- Content you've [redacted](https://docs.cobrowse.io/sdk-features/redact-sensitive-data) is masked on the device before it's sent, so it isn't in the trace either.
- Any unredacted content that was on screen during the session, which may include sensitive data, is in the trace. Share it only with Cobrowse support, as you would a session recording.

The trace is available for as long as the session recording is. If you can't open the recording, you won't be able to download the trace either. See User privileges (roles) for who can see which recordings.

### Sending a trace to support

Email the `session-trace.bson` file to [hello@cobrowse.io](mailto:hello@cobrowse.io) along with:

- the session ID (the part of the recording page URL after `/session/`),
- what you expected to see and what happened instead,
- the SDK platform and version on the device.

If you have any questions, then send us an email at [hello@cobrowse.io](mailto:hello@cobrowse.io)!

 

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