How to quickly download a Facebook video to your phone or computer

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How to download a Facebook video without installing extra apps

Facebook videos don't have a "Save to Device" button, only "Share" and "Save." The "Save" option only adds it to the "Saved" section within Facebook itself. It's easier to download your own content, including Reels: just tap the three dots below the video and select "Download Video."

To save a video from Facebook that someone else posted, there are two working methods that don't require installing anything:

• An online video download service. You copy the link to the desired Facebook video, paste it into the corresponding field of the service, choose the required quality and click "Download." This works in any browser.

• A browser extension. You install the tool once and after that a download button appears right on the platform's page or in a separate window.

Later in this article, we share a curated selection of extensions along with separate instructions for Android and iPhone.

Important: many older guides recommend replacing "www" with "m" in the video's address to open the mobile version of Facebook and save the video via "Save Video As." This method no longer works. On a desktop device, Facebook now automatically redirects you back to the "www" version.

How to download a video from Facebook to your computer

The fastest way to download a video from Facebook to your computer is to use an online service. The whole process takes 2–3 minutes and doesn't require registration.

Here's how:

1. Open the video you want on Facebook in any browser.

2. Tap the three dots below the video and select "Copy Link," or copy the page address from your browser's address bar.

3. Open a service for downloading videos from Facebook, such as SnapSave, FDownloader or GetMyFB.

4. Paste the copied link into the corresponding field on the site and click "Download."

5. Choose the desired quality: SD, HD, and for high-resolution videos, Full HD or 4K is sometimes available.

6. Click the option you want. The video will be saved to your computer's "Downloads" folder in MP4 format.

Important: if a video was posted in a closed group or is only visible to the author's friends, a standard online service won't be able to download it using the link alone. The service won’t be able to open the page, because Facebook only shows that content to people who have access to it.

Some services, like GetMyFB, have a separate mode for this kind of videos: you open it yourself in your own account that has access to it, copy the page's source code (Ctrl + U on Windows, ⌘ + Option + U on Mac or right-click and select "View Page Source") and paste that code into a dedicated field. This method only works if you personally have access to the desired video. The service isn't bypassing privacy settings, it's extracting the link from the page source that Facebook already showed you.

If the download doesn't work on the first try, it's usually because one of three possible reasons:

• the link was copied incorrectly (it needs to point to the specific video, not to the whole profile page or the main feed);

• the download service is temporarily unavailable (Facebook periodically changes the technical structure of its pages and services need time to update);

• access to the video is restricted.

If the download doesn't go through, refresh the page, try again in 10–15 minutes, or use a different service.

Tip: if you can't access a video because your Facebook account has been blocked, check out our guide. It covers the main reasons for blocks on Facebook, how to restore access to your account and how to reduce the risk of repeat blocks by using Octo Browser.

How to download Facebook videos using browser extensions or apps

Browser extensions or standalone apps are convenient if you regularly save Facebook videos, as you don't need to open a site and paste links manually every time you need to download a Facebook video. We checked which solutions currently work and summarized them here:

Important: extensions request access to the content of Facebook pages. Without this permission, the download button won't appear. Before installing one, make sure the extension has an official developer page and active updates.

How to download a Facebook video to your phone

On a phone, the approach to downloading a video from Facebook is the same as on a desktop device: you copy the link and paste it into a video download service. The difference is in a couple of OS-specific steps and where the finished file is saved to.

How to download a Facebook video to Android

1. Open the Facebook app and find the video you want.

2. Tap "Share" and select "Copy Link."

3. Open a browser on your phone and go to a site for downloading a video from Facebook: SnapSave, FDownloader, or a similar service.

4. Paste the link into the field on the site and tap "Download."

5. Choose the video quality.

6. Wait for the download to finish. After that, you'll find the video in your Gallery or "Downloads" folder.

Tip: 4K Video Downloader and iTubeGo also have Android versions. They work the same way, except you paste the link in the app instead of a browser.

How to download a Facebook video to iPhone

Unlike Android phones, iPhones don't give you free access to their file system. So a Facebook video isn't saved directly, it is processed through the "Files" or "Photos" app:

1. In the Facebook app, open the video you want, tap "Share," and select "Copy Link."

2. Open Safari and go to a website for downloading videos from Facebook, e.g., FDOWN.

3. Paste the copied link into the corresponding field on the site and tap "Download."

4. Once the file is downloaded, tap it and select "Share." Then tap "Save Video" to add it to the "Photos" app or "Save to Files" to put it in "Files."

5. Check the result in "Photos" or "Files," depending on where you saved it.

Tip: if Safari doesn't show a save button for a particular service, try opening the same site using "Request Desktop Website" from Safari's menu. If that doesn't help, try a different download service, as not all of them work equally well in mobile Safari.

Conclusion

You can download a video from Facebook even without a built-in download button. For a one-off download, an online service is enough. If you regularly download Facebook videos or Reels, it's more convenient to install a browser extension or a standalone app.

When choosing a solution, pay attention to its reliability. Use only services and extensions with good reviews and recent updates, never enter your Facebook login and password on third-party sites and only download videos you actually have access to.

FAQ

Do I need to install additional apps to download a Facebook video?

No. You can download a video from Facebook right in your browser, through an online service or an extension. A standalone app is only worth it for extra features, like Smart Mode in 4K Video Downloader.

How do I save a video from Facebook to my computer?

Copy the link to the video (tap the three dots below the video and select "Copy Link"). Then paste it into a service for downloading videos from Facebook, choose the quality you want and click "Download." The file will be saved to your "Downloads" folder in MP4 format. Instead of an online service, you can use a browser extension. Once it is installed, a download button will appear right on the page. For content from closed groups or with restricted access, some services, like GetMyFB, support video downloading using the page source code.

Will a Facebook video lose quality when I download it?

Usually not. Many services let you choose the video quality. If you pick the highest available resolution, the video quality is generally the same as on Facebook. That said, some services may additionally compress or re-encode the file, which can lower its quality.

Can I save a video from Facebook in HD?

Yes, if the video was originally uploaded in HD or higher quality. The final quality can't exceed the source quality. Most services and extensions offer SD, HD or Full HD options to download Facebook videos.

Is it safe to download Facebook videos using online services?

Yes, as long as you take basic precautions. Don't enter your Facebook password on third-party sites; downloading only requires the video's link. Check the file extension: a video is usually saved in MP4 format. If you see an .exe file or an unfamiliar archive, don't open it.