How to Save Videos From Facebook

If you’ve ever watched a hilarious cat video, a moving wedding livestream, or that one recipe clip you swore you’d try “this weekend” (three months ago), you’ve probably wondered how to save videos from Facebook before they disappear in the algorithm void. The good news: there are legit ways to bookmark, back up, and download certain Facebook videos. The not-so-good news: you still have to play by Facebook’s rules and copyright law if you don’t want trouble.

This guide walks you through how to save Facebook videos the right way: using Facebook’s built-in “Save” feature, downloading your own uploads (including Live videos), exporting your data, and making smart, legal choices when you’re tempted to grab someone else’s content.

Before You Start: “Save” vs. “Download” on Facebook

First, a quick vocabulary check. On Facebook, “saving” a video can mean two different things:

• Saving in Facebook: You click Save video and Facebook bookmarks it in your Saved section so you can watch it later, but the file stays on Facebook’s servers.
• Downloading from Facebook: You get an actual video file onto your device (phone, tablet, or computer) that you can watch offline or back up somewhere else.

Facebook totally expects you to use the in-app Save feature. But when it comes to downloading, things are stricter. You’re generally allowed to download your own videos (posts, Reels, Live streams) and other content when the creator gives you explicit permission. Downloading other people’s videos without permission can violate both copyright law and Facebook’s terms.

How to Save Videos on Facebook to Watch Later

If you just want to bookmark something to watch again, Facebook’s Save feature is simple and safe.

On the Facebook mobile app (iOS or Android)

1. Find the video you want to keep track of in your Feed, a group, or a Page.
2. Tap the three dots (⋯) in the upper-right corner of the post.
3. Choose Save video.

The video is now filed under your Saved items. It hasn’t left Facebook, but it’s easy to get back to.

On Facebook in a web browser

1. Hover over the post with the video.
2. Click the three dots (⋯) in the top-right corner.
3. Select Save video.

To find your saved Facebook videos later, use the Saved menu (usually in the left sidebar on desktop or in the menu tab on mobile). You can even organize them into collections, which is handy if you’re hoarding recipes in one folder and workout challenges in another.

How to Download Your Own Facebook Videos

If you’ve posted videos you care aboutvacations, events, marketing contentyou’ll probably want a copy outside Facebook. Here’s how to download videos that you uploaded.

Option 1: Download a single video you posted

For many Page and profile videos (especially ones you uploaded directly), Facebook gives you a download option.

1. Go to your profile or Page.
2. Open the Videos or Reels section.
3. Find the video you want, click to open it.
4. Look for a three-dot menu (⋯) on or near the video.
5. If available, choose Download or Download video.

Not every video shows a download button, but many of your own uploads doespecially if they’re not heavily restricted by settings or music licensing.

Option 2: Download your Facebook Live videos (within the new 30-day window)

Meta has changed how long Live videos stick around. Most Facebook Live broadcasts now stay available for about 30 days before they’re automatically removed, so if you want to keep them, you have to act within that window.

To download a Live video from a Page or profile you manage:

1. Go to Settings & privacy, then open your Activity log.
2. Choose Live videos.
3. Find the broadcast you want to save.
4. Click Options (or ⋯), then choose Download.

Because of the new retention policy, it’s smart to download your important Live streamslike weddings, concerts, webinars, or big product launchesas soon as possible, then back them up to cloud storage.

Option 3: Use Facebook’s “Download Your Information” tool

If you want a bigger safety net, you can export your Facebook data, including videos you’ve posted.

1. Open Settings & privacy in Facebook.
2. Go to Accounts Center > Your information and permissions.
3. Select Export your information or Download your information.
4. Choose the profile or Page, date range, and format (often HTML or JSON).
5. Make sure to include posts and videos in the data types.
6. Submit the request and wait for Facebook to prepare the file; you’ll get a notification when it’s ready to download.

This option can take a while, but you get a full archive of your content. It’s especially useful if you’re closing an old Page, starting a new brand, or just want everything backed up in one place.

Is It Legal to Download Other People’s Facebook Videos?

Here’s the part most people skipthen regret later. Just because a video is public or “shareable” does not mean you’re free to download and reuse it however you want.

When someone uploads a video to Facebook, they still own the copyright. Facebook gets a license to host and display it, but everyday users don’t automatically get the right to copy, edit, or repost that video off-platform.

Downloading and re-posting another person’s video without permission can be a copyright violation, even if you’re not making money from it. Lawyers and copyright experts consistently warn that this can lead to takedowns, legal complaints, or worse.

Safe rules of thumb

• Downloading your own videos is fine, especially using Facebook’s built-in tools.
• Downloading someone else’s video for private, personal viewing is still a gray areacheck your local laws and Facebook’s terms.
• Downloading and then re-uploading someone’s video to another platform (or even back to Facebook as your own) without permission is usually not okay.
• If in doubt, ask the creator for permission or the original file.

What About Third-Party Facebook Video Downloaders?

Search for “download Facebook video” and you’ll see a long list of websites, browser extensions, and apps promising to save any video in HD in two clicks and a wink. They usually work the same way: you paste a link, they generate a downloadable file.

Tempting? Sure. Risk-free? Not exactly.

Risks of third-party tools

• Terms of service issues: Using unofficial download tools can break Facebook’s terms, which could put your account at risk.
• Copyright problems: If you use those tools to grab videos you don’t own or have permission for, you may be violating copyright law, no matter how easy the tool makes it.
• Security and privacy: Some downloaders are fine; others bombard you with deceptive ads, trackers, or worsemalware and phishing attempts.

If you still consider third-party options, use them only for content you have clear rights to download, and stick to tools you trust from reputable developers. And again: the safest path is to rely on Facebook’s own download options and explicit permission from creators.

Tips for Organizing and Backing Up Your Saved Videos

Saving videos is one thing; finding them later is another story. Here’s how to stay organized so you’re not scrolling forever.

Use Facebook collections

In the Saved section, you can group videos into themed collections. For example:

• “Weeknight Recipes”
• “Home Workout Ideas”
• “Marketing Inspiration”
• “Travel Destinations”

This is great for content you want to revisit regularly but don’t necessarily need offline.

Back up downloaded videos

When you download your own Facebook videos, treat them like any important digital file:

• Store copies in at least two places (for example, local drive + cloud storage).
• Use clear filenames with dates and short descriptions.
• Consider a folder structure like Facebook > Page Name > 2025 Campaigns.

That extra organization pays off when you’re re-editing content for a new platform or hunting down that one Live Q&A replay everyone suddenly wants again.

Common Problems When Saving Facebook Videos (and How to Handle Them)

“I can’t see a download button on my video.”

Not every video supports direct downloading. Reasons might include rights-managed music, certain privacy settings, or older content types where Facebook never added a download option. Try using the Download Your Information tool instead to get a copy.

“My old Facebook Live videos are gone.”

Due to Meta’s updated storage policy, many Live videos are now removed after a certain period (often 30 days). If you didn’t download them or convert them to Reels during the grace period, they may no longer be recoverable. Going forward, build a habit: download important Live streams soon after you finish broadcasting.

“Can I save someone else’s video for a presentation or marketing campaign?”

Usually not without explicit permission. Reach out to the creator, explain how you plan to use it, and get their okay in writing (even a message screenshot helps). Some brands and creators offer licensed footage or UGC rights via formal agreementsuse that route when possible.

Real-World Experiences: What People Learn When Saving Facebook Videos

After you’ve wrestled with Facebook video saving a few times, you start to pick up some patterns. Here are a few “lessons learned” that many users, creators, and social media managers discover the hard way.

1. Relying on Facebook as your only archive is risky

Ask any small business that lost years of Live streams when older archives were deleted. Many assumed Facebook would store their content foreverlike a giant free cloud driveuntil Meta changed its policy and suddenly their long-form videos vanished after 30 days.

The takeaway: think of Facebook as a distribution platform, not your permanent storage solution. As soon as a video matters to youmaybe it’s a wedding ceremony, a charity livestream, or a brand’s product launchdownload it or keep the original files backed up elsewhere.

2. “I’ll download it later” often means “I’ll lose it forever”

Most of us are pros at procrastination. It’s easy to finish a Live, say “I’ll grab that tomorrow,” and then forget. Weeks pass, policies change, reminders get missed, and by the time you remember, the video is gone.

A better habit is to bake downloading into your workflow. For example:

• Right after a Live stream, block out 10–15 minutes to download the video and save it to a “Raw Assets” folder.
• Assign someone on your team to be the “content archivist” who checks Live videos and ensures they’re safely backed up.
• Set calendar reminders for recurring events or monthly content backups.

3. Creators usually appreciate being asked first

Many people are surprised at how willing creators are to share their contentas long as you ask. If you message someone saying, “Hey, I loved your tutorial, can I download it to show my students? I’ll credit you,” a lot of creators are happy to say yes, send you a higher-quality file, or even collaborate on something new.

On the flip side, silently ripping someone’s video and reposting it can damage your reputation fast. Online communities talk, and you don’t want to be known as the person or brand that steals content.

4. Third-party tools are a mixed bag

People who’ve experimented with random download websites report a wide range of experiences. Some tools work fine; others bombard users with pop-ups, misleading buttons, and potential security risks. It only takes one bad click to land on a phishing page or accidentally download malware.

The more privacy-conscious and security-savvy users become, the more they gravitate toward official, built-in tools like Facebook’s export feature or direct download options. It’s simply less stressful than wondering whether that “Download in 1080p Now!” button is actually trying to install something nasty.

5. Good file hygiene pays off later

When people start taking saving and downloading seriously, they also tend to level up their file-management game. Social media managers especially discover how much easier life gets when all their videos are named well and organized logically:

• Bad: video_final_final_reallyfinal.mp4
• Better: 2025-03-15_FacebookLive_QA_NewProductLaunch.mp4

With clear names and folders, re-using a clip for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or a future ad takes minutes instead of hours of digging through mystery files.

6. Saving videos supports mindful scrolling

On a more personal note, using the Save feature strategically can make your time on Facebook less chaotic. Instead of falling into a two-hour scroll trying to relocate that one useful explainer, you can simply save videos that genuinely help youwhether that’s mental health advice, educational content, or DIY tutorialsand actually come back to them later.

In a world where attention is constantly being pulled in every direction, having a curated “Saved” list on Facebook is a small but real way to be more intentional about what you consume.

Bottom Line: Save Smart, Download Responsibly

Learning how to save videos from Facebook is a mix of tech know-how and basic digital citizenship. Use the Save feature to bookmark videos you love. Use Facebook’s official tools to download your own content, especially now that Live videos don’t stick around forever. And whenever you’re tempted to grab someone else’s video, pause, think about copyright and terms of service, and get permission when you need it.

If you treat Facebook as one channel in your broader content ecosystemnot your only backupyour favorite videos will be a lot safer, and your future self will thank you.