Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms globally, with billions of videos being shared and viewed every day. Whether you want to save a funny video, an inspirational clip, or a tutorial to watch offline, downloading videos from Facebook can be incredibly handy. While Facebook itself doesn’t offer a built-in download button, there are still several methods to save videos for offline use. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to download a video from Facebook in 2025.
Table of Contents
- Why Download Facebook Videos?
- Is It Legal to Download Videos from Facebook?
- How to Download a Facebook Video on Desktop (PC/Mac)
- Method 1: Using a Facebook Video Downloader Website
- Method 2: Using Browser Extensions
- Method 3: Using Developer Tools (For Advanced Users)
- How to Download a Facebook Video on Mobile (iPhone/Android)
- Method 1: Using a Third-Party App (Android)
- Method 2: Using a Mobile Website (Android and iPhone)
- Method 3: Using the Facebook App (iPhone Only)
- How to Download Private Facebook Videos
- How to Save Facebook Videos to Cloud Storage
- Things to Keep in Mind When Downloading Facebook Videos
- Alternatives to Downloading Facebook Videos
- Conclusion
1. Why Download Facebook Videos?
There are various reasons you might want to download a video from Facebook:
- Offline Viewing: Downloading videos allows you to watch them without an internet connection.
- Save Memorable Content: You might come across a video that’s too good to forget or one that you want to watch multiple times.
- Educational or Work Purposes: Videos for research, learning, or professional use can be kept for reference.
- Archiving: If you’ve uploaded a video to Facebook and want to keep a copy of it, downloading it ensures you won’t lose it due to platform changes or issues.
However, it’s important to remember that downloading content should only be done with the permission of the video creator, especially if the video is copyrighted.
2. Is It Legal to Download Videos from Facebook?
Before you download any content, it’s essential to consider the legal aspects. Facebook’s Terms of Service prohibit users from downloading videos unless a “Download” button or similar functionality is offered directly by Facebook (like in the case of videos you’ve uploaded). This means that while it’s perfectly fine to download your own content, downloading someone else’s video without permission can lead to copyright infringement issues.
For videos you don’t own, always seek permission from the creator or use videos that are explicitly marked as “free to use” or fall under Creative Commons licenses.
3. How to Download a Facebook Video on Desktop (PC/Mac)
There are several ways to download videos from Facebook on a desktop computer, ranging from using online tools to browser extensions. Here are the most popular methods:
Method 1: Using a Facebook Video Downloader Website
One of the easiest ways to download a Facebook video is by using a third-party video downloader website. These sites don’t require you to install any software and work directly in your browser.
Steps:
- Go to Facebook and find the video you want to download.
- Right-click on the video and select Copy Video URL or Copy link.
- Open a new tab and visit a Facebook video downloader website such as FBDown.net, GetfVid, or SaveFrom.net.
- Paste the video URL into the designated field on the website.
- Click Download, and the website will process the video. Once processed, it will offer different video quality options for you to choose from (e.g., HD or SD).
- Click on the desired quality option and then click Download again to save the video to your computer.
Pros:
- No software installation required.
- Fast and easy.
Cons:
- Some websites may have pop-up ads.
- Quality may be limited depending on the video and the site.
Method 2: Using Browser Extensions
If you frequently download Facebook videos, you might want to use a browser extension that can make the process faster and more convenient.
Popular Extensions:
- Video DownloadHelper (available for both Chrome and Firefox)
- Facebook Video Downloader (Chrome Extension)
Steps:
- Install the extension from your browser’s extension store.
- Open Facebook and find the video you want to download.
- The extension icon will usually appear in your browser when a video is available to download. Click on the extension icon.
- Choose the video quality and click the download option.
- The video will begin downloading directly to your computer.
Pros:
- Convenient for frequent use.
- Direct download from the browser.
Cons:
- Some extensions may require a subscription or premium features.
- Potential compatibility issues with certain websites or browsers.
Method 3: Using Developer Tools (For Advanced Users)
If you don’t want to rely on third-party tools, you can use your browser’s developer tools to download a video. This method is more technical but can be effective.
Steps:
- Right-click on the video and select Copy Video URL.
- Open a new tab and paste the URL into the browser’s address bar.
- Press Enter to load the video directly.
- Right-click on the video and select Inspect or Inspect Element (depending on your browser).
- Go to the Network tab in the developer tools and reload the page.
- Find the file with a format such as
.mp4in the list of network files. - Right-click on the file and select Open in a new tab.
- In the new tab, right-click the video and select Save Video As to download it.
Pros:
- No third-party websites or extensions are required.
- Full control over the download.
Cons:
- Requires technical knowledge of developer tools.
- Time-consuming for beginners.
4. How to Download a Facebook Video on Mobile (iPhone/Android)
Downloading Facebook videos on mobile devices is slightly more complicated than on desktop due to mobile app limitations. However, it’s still possible with the right tools.
Method 1: Using a Third-Party App (Android)
For Android users, apps like VidMate or FDownloader are reliable tools for downloading Facebook videos.
Steps:
- Download and install VidMate or FDownloader from their official website or the Google Play Store (if available).
- Open Facebook and find the video you want to download.
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the post and select Copy Link.
- Open the downloader app and paste the link in the designated field.
- Select the video quality and tap Download.
Pros:
- Convenient for Android users.
- No need to use a browser.
Cons:
- These apps are not always available on the Google Play Store.
- May contain ads.
Method 2: Using a Mobile Website (Android and iPhone)
If you don’t want to use an app, you can download a video using mobile-friendly websites.
Steps:
- Open Facebook and find the video you want to download.
- Copy the video’s URL by tapping the three dots in the top-right corner and selecting Copy Link.
- Open a browser and go to a mobile-friendly downloader website like GetfVid or FBDown.net.
- Paste the copied URL into the provided field and hit Download.
- Select the desired quality, and the video will begin downloading to your phone.
Pros:
- No app installation required.
- Works for both Android and iPhone.
Cons:
- Websites may be slower or have limited features on mobile devices.
- Pop-up ads can be an issue.
Method 3: Using the Facebook App (iPhone Only)
For iPhone users, you can download your own videos directly from the Facebook app, but this doesn’t work for videos uploaded by others.
Steps:
- Open the Facebook app and go to your profile.
- Tap on the Videos tab to view your uploaded content.
- Tap on the video you want to download.
- Tap on the three dots (More Options) and select Save Video. The video will be saved to your Facebook account, and you can watch it offline within the app.
Pros:
- Simple and direct for your own videos.
- No third-party tools needed.
Cons:
- Only works for your own videos.
- Cannot download videos from others.
5. How to Download Private Facebook Videos
Downloading private Facebook videos is more complicated, as these videos are protected by privacy settings. You will need to be friends with the user who posted the video or have been granted access to the content. Additionally, you cannot use general third-party tools for private videos.
For your own private videos, follow the same methods outlined above. If you’re trying to download private videos posted by others, ensure you have permission from the video owner and use appropriate download methods for authorized content.
6. How to Save Facebook Videos to Cloud Storage
If you want to store your downloaded Facebook videos on a cloud service for easier access, you can save them to platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud.
Simply download the video as usual and upload it to your cloud storage. This will give you access to the video from any device and keep it safely backed up.
7. Things to Keep in Mind When Downloading Facebook Videos
- Permission: Always ask for permission before downloading content that isn’t yours.
- Copyright: Avoid downloading copyrighted material unless it’s explicitly allowed by the content creator.
- Privacy Settings: Respect others’ privacy settings when downloading their videos.
- Quality: Downloaded videos may not always be available in high quality, depending on the method used.
8. Alternatives to Downloading Facebook Videos
If you just need to save a video for later viewing, you might consider using Facebook’s built-in Save feature to save the video to your profile. This allows you to access the video anytime, but it doesn’t provide offline access.
9. Conclusion
Downloading videos from Facebook can be a useful way to access content offline. While there are several methods to download Facebook videos, it’s crucial to respect the platform’s policies and the content creator’s rights. Whether you’re using a third-party website, an app, or browser extensions, always ensure that you’re following legal and ethical guidelines.
Now that you know how to download Facebook videos in various ways, you can enjoy your favorite content anytime, even without an internet connection!
