How to Save a Video from Facebook: A Comprehensive Guide

through your feed, you may come across an interesting video that you want to save for later viewing or sharing. However, Facebook doesn’t provide a direct download button for videos, which can be frustrating. In this article, we will explore various methods to save videos from Facebook for offline use, ensuring you can access and enjoy your favorite content anytime you want.

1. Why Do You Want to Save Facebook Videos?

Before diving into the methods, it’s important to understand why you might want to save Facebook videos. Here are some common reasons:

• Offline viewing: You may want to watch videos later when you don’t have access to the internet.
• Preservation of content: Some videos may be deleted or removed after a period of time, so saving them ensures you still have access.
• Sharing purposes: You may want to share videos with friends who aren’t on Facebook or via other platforms.

2. Method 1: Saving Facebook Videos Using the Facebook App (Mobile Devices)

The easiest method to save a video on Facebook is through the Facebook app itself, though this only allows you to save videos to Facebook’s “Saved” section rather than directly downloading them. This method doesn’t work for offline use but is ideal for organizing content you wish to return to.

Steps to Save a Video in the Facebook App:

1. Open Facebook App: Launch the Facebook app on your mobile device.
2. Find the Video: Scroll through your newsfeed or go to a specific profile or page where the video is posted.
3. Tap the Three Dots: Under the video, you will find three dots (•••) in the top-right corner.
4. Click on “Save Video”: From the options that appear, select “Save Video.”
5. Access Saved Videos: To view your saved videos, go to your profile and tap on the “Saved” section. Here, you will find all the videos and posts you’ve saved for later.

This method allows you to keep track of videos within Facebook, but it’s not the same as downloading them for offline viewing.

3. Method 2: Using a Facebook Video Downloader Website

There are several websites available that allow you to download Facebook videos for offline use. These sites typically work by extracting the video link and offering you the option to download it directly to your device.

Steps to Download Facebook Videos Using a Video Downloader Website:

1. Find the Video: Open Facebook and navigate to the video you want to save. Tap on the video to expand it.
2. Copy the Video Link: On the video’s page, tap the three dots (•••) and choose “Copy Link.”
3. Visit a Downloader Website: Open your browser and search for a reliable Facebook video downloader. Some popular options include:
   • fbdown.net
   • savefrom.net
   • getfvid.com
4. Paste the Video Link: Once on the downloader website, paste the copied URL in the provided field.
5. Choose the Video Quality: The website will display different quality options. Select the one that suits your needs.
6. Download the Video: Click the “Download” button to begin downloading the video to your device.

Pros and Cons of Video Downloader Websites:

Pros:

• They are free and easy to use.
• They support different video resolutions and formats.
• They work across devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops.

Cons:

• Some websites may have intrusive ads.
• They might not be completely secure or trustworthy, so it’s important to ensure you’re using a reputable site.
• Downloading videos from these sites may be against Facebook’s terms of service in certain cases, especially for copyrighted material.

4. Method 3: Using a Browser Extension

If you frequently download Facebook videos, using a browser extension can save time and effort. Extensions are available for popular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. These tools integrate directly into your browser and allow you to download videos with just one click.

Steps to Save a Facebook Video Using a Browser Extension:

1. Install the Extension: Search for a reliable Facebook video downloader extension for your browser. Some popular choices are:
   • Video DownloadHelper (available for Chrome and Firefox)
   • FBDOWN Video Downloader
   • Flash Video Downloader
2. Open the Video: Once the extension is installed, go to Facebook and find the video you want to download.
3. Download the Video: The extension will appear as an icon in your browser’s toolbar when you’re on a page with a downloadable video. Click on it, and the video will be available for download.
4. Choose Quality: Most extensions let you select the quality and format of the video you wish to download.

Pros and Cons of Browser Extensions:

Pros:

• Quick and easy process once set up.
• Ideal for frequent downloading of videos.
• No need to leave Facebook; the extension works directly within the platform.

Cons:

• Some extensions may be blocked by Facebook or become outdated.
• Not all extensions are safe; only install ones from trusted sources.
• Browser extensions may slow down your browser or cause crashes if not properly maintained.

5. Method 4: Downloading Facebook Videos on Desktop Using a Third-Party Software

For users who prefer downloading videos using a desktop application, there are several software tools available that allow you to download videos from Facebook. These tools typically offer advanced features such as batch downloads and support for multiple platforms.

Popular Software for Downloading Facebook Videos:

• JDownloader: A popular open-source download manager that can download videos from multiple websites, including Facebook.
• 4K Video Downloader: This tool allows users to download Facebook videos in high quality.
• YTD Video Downloader: Another common software for downloading videos from Facebook and other platforms.

Steps to Download a Facebook Video Using JDownloader:

1. Install JDownloader: Download and install the JDownloader software from the official website.
2. Copy the Video Link: Navigate to the video on Facebook and copy the URL from your browser’s address bar.
3. Add the Link to JDownloader: Open JDownloader and paste the copied URL into the program.
4. Download the Video: The program will process the link, and once ready, click “Start” to begin downloading the video.

Pros and Cons of Using Download Software:

Pros:

• These tools often support downloading multiple videos at once.
• They offer more control over video quality and format.
• Advanced features, such as downloading from other platforms, are available.

Cons:

• Requires downloading and installing software, which may take up storage space.
• Some software options might not be free, or they may have a limited free version.
• The software might occasionally malfunction if it’s not updated regularly.

6. Method 5: Using Mobile Apps to Save Facebook Videos

For smartphone users, there are several apps available for downloading Facebook videos. These apps work similarly to browser downloader websites and often come with additional features for editing or organizing your videos.

Popular Apps for Downloading Facebook Videos:

• Video Downloader for Facebook (Android)
• MyMedia (iOS)
• FastVid (Android)

Steps to Save Facebook Videos Using an App:

1. Install the App: Download the Facebook video downloader app from your phone’s app store (Google Play Store for Android or the App Store for iOS).
2. Open the App: Launch the app and sign in if necessary.
3. Find the Video: Open Facebook through the app and find the video you wish to download.
4. Download the Video: Tap the download button, and the app will save the video to your phone’s gallery or a specified folder.

Pros and Cons of Using Mobile Apps:

Pros:

• Convenient for mobile users.
• Apps often offer additional features like video editing or sharing.
• Some apps allow you to download videos from multiple social media platforms.

Cons:

• Not all apps are free; some require a paid subscription for full functionality.
• Some apps may be flagged as untrustworthy, so it’s essential to read reviews and check app permissions.
• Mobile apps may have limitations in terms of video quality or download speed.

7. Legal Considerations

While downloading videos for personal use is generally acceptable, it’s important to understand Facebook’s terms of service, as downloading videos without permission may violate their policies. Always respect the rights of content creators and the terms of use on Facebook. Downloading videos for commercial use or sharing copyrighted content without permission can lead to legal consequences.

Conclusion

Saving Facebook videos can be a helpful way to ensure that you can access content offline or keep it for later viewing. While Facebook does not offer a direct method to download videos, there are plenty of third-party tools, apps, and browser extensions that make the process quick and easy. Choose the method that works best for you, whether it’s using a mobile app, a browser extension, or downloading through a third-party website.