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How to Download a Video from Facebook – A Simple Guide

We’ve all been there. You find a video you can’t stop watching, but it’s on Facebook, which also hosts the most extensive collection of exciting and unique videos online. The fact that it’s on Facebook also means you can only save it in your Facebook account.

While the social media giant doesn’t support video downloads, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it. It’s also not as complicated as it sounds or seems. With a bit of determination, easy-to-follow instructions like what you’re about to read, and the right tool, you’ll soon download your favorite Facebook videos easily.

Learn how to download a video from Facebook and export all those videos you’ve been dying to have on your device.

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How to Download a Video From Facebook to Your PC

If you use a PC a lot, you’re in luck. Not only are there numerous ways to download a video from Facebook on PC, but it’s relatively more straightforward than on Android or iOS devices.

Here’s a look at the various methods for downloading a video from Facebook to your PC:

From a Post

Here’s how to go about it:

  1. The first step is to settle on a third-party Facebook video downloader tool. Go with web-based tools for the best results and more convenience.
  2. Enter your Facebook account and go to the video you want to download.
  3. As shown below, open the video and tap on the three dots button under the video.
  4. Hit Copy Link and paste it on your preferred Facebook video downloader tool, then click Download.
  5. Choose an appropriate video resolution and click Download once again.
  6. You can now find the Facebook video in your device’s download folder.

From the Messenger

Downloading videos from Facebook Messenger is by far the simplest, and you even don’t need third-party tools. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open Facebook Messenger on your computer and navigate to the video you want to download.
  2. Click once on the video.
  3. Click the Download button next to the forward icon, as shown below.
  4. You can now find the Facebook video in your device’s download folder.

How to Download a Facebook Video on Your iPhone

Before getting to it, you must settle on a third-party video downloader app or mobile browser tool (we go with the browser option).

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open Facebook on your iPhone; the app or web version should do.
  2. Navigate to the video you want to download and open it. Tap the Share button below it.
  3. Copy the video’s link by selecting the option from the dropdown menu.
  4. Open any video downloader app or a video downloader website.
  5. Paste the link you had copied to the empty search bar on the website (not browser) or video downloader app, then tap Download.
  6. Choose an appropriate quality and tap the download button once again.

How to Download a Facebook Video on Your Android Phone

Here’s how to go about it on Android devices:

  1. The first step is to decide on a third-party app to download the Facebook video. Install a video downloader app (ex.: Snaptube or Videomate) or choose a browser version of a downloader.
  2. Next, open Facebook on your device and navigate to the video you want to download.
  3. Tap on the three dots above the video and select Copy link from the menu.
  4. Switch to the video downloader, paste the link on the empty search bar, and then hit the Download button.
  5. Choose the quality (720p, 360p, 1080p, etc.) and tap Download once again.

FAQs

How can I download a private Facebook video?

This is a bit tricky. Private videos are not easily accessible, so you should use a third-party application or website to access and download the video.

Several options are available online, but it’s vital to ensure you select a reliable one.

One option is to use a private video downloader such as Snaptube. This tool allows you to copy and paste the private Facebook video link into their platform and download it directly onto your device. All downloads are free and secure, with no registration required.

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Another option is to use a browser extension. These include video downloader plus for Chrome, allowing you to download private Facebook videos easily. These extensions are generally easy to use and provide fast, secure downloads.

Several websites like FDownloader provide access to private Facebook videos. These offer a range of features, including downloading the video in different formats and resolutions and other features such as video trimming and editing. However, check reviews of these sites before using them to ensure they are reliable and secure.

Whichever you decide to use, ensure you follow all instructions carefully and read any terms and conditions before downloading the video to avoid any criminal liability.

Can I save a Facebook video without any third-party tools?

The short answer is yes, you can, but with incredible difficulty. Saving the video won’t be easy unless someone sends you the media via messenger. First, Facebook doesn’t support media downloads natively, and its reasons surrounding the same are pretty reasonable.

Facebook is only interested in having more active users on the platform. One way of encouraging creators to keep up their work is to guarantee and uphold the creator’s copyrights.

Can I download a live Facebook video?

Yes, it is possible to download a live Facebook video. To do so, you need to have the permission of the video’s owner and use third-party tools. Ideally, you’re probably trying to download your Facebook live video, in which case you shouldn’t face any difficulties. Also, here’s a guide to help you repurpose Facebook Live videos.

Depending on the type of video and platform you are using, the process for downloading a live video from Facebook will vary.

For instance, if you are using Facebook on a desktop computer, you can download a live video by going to the video’s page, clicking the edit button in the top right corner, and selecting Download HD or SD.

If you use an iOS or Android device, you can try using a third-party app like Video Downloader for Facebook or Snaptube. You may need to enter your account credentials to use this app.

If the video is private and you do not have permission from its owner to download it, then you cannot do so without their permission. If you cannot get permission from the owner, you should consider recording the live video using a screen recorder.

Still, remember that Facebook’s Terms of Service prohibit any attempts to record or download content from their platform.

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Final Thoughts

Social platforms like Facebook host a great collection of videos. Learning how to download a video from Facebook can be highly beneficial if you save the videos offline on your device. Whether it’s to repurpose content for other platforms or refine it further. Speaking of which, if you’re a beginner or an established Facebook creator, this Facebook video strategy should come in handy.

While the social media platform doesn’t support media downloads natively, there are simple workarounds. Private videos can be tricky since they require special permission from the original poster. It is also possible to download live videos from Facebook, although this may require additional tools. While still on the subject, check out this curated list of YouTube to MP4 converters.

With the right tools and a few clicks, you can easily save and download any video from Facebook for future viewing.

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