The simplest way to download a Facebook live video
Facebook does not offer a built-in download button for live videos, but you can save them using a free online tool or your browser's developer tools. The easiest method is to use a video download website: paste the Facebook video link into a site like fbdown.net, getfbstuff.com, or savefrom.net, select your quality preference, and download the file to your device. The whole process takes about two minutes.
Live videos that have ended and remain on a person's timeline can be downloaded this way. Videos that are still broadcasting live cannot be captured until the broadcast ends and Facebook converts it to a regular video post. If the video owner deletes it or changes privacy settings to private after the broadcast, the download link will no longer work.
Before downloading any video, check whether you have permission from the person who posted it. Downloading and sharing someone else's video without consent may violate their privacy or copyright, depending on your location and how you use it.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook live videos can be downloaded using free online tools like fbdown.net or getfbstuff.com once the broadcast ends and becomes a regular post.
- You need the direct link to the Facebook video, which you can copy from your browser's address bar when viewing the video.
- Downloaded videos are saved as MP4 files that play on most devices, though quality depends on what the original broadcast resolution was.
- Always confirm you have permission to download and use someone else's video before saving it to your device.
Getting the video link from Facebook
To download a live video, you first need its direct link. Open the video on Facebook, right-click on the video itself, and select "Copy video URL" from the menu. If that option does not appear, click the three dots in the top right corner of the post and choose "Copy link to post." Either method gives you the full Facebook link you need.
Make sure you are copying the link to the specific video post, not just the person's profile page. The link should contain "facebook.com" and a long string of numbers. Paste it into a text editor or directly into the download tool to verify it is correct before proceeding.
Using an online download tool
Open fbdown.net or getfbstuff.com in your browser. Paste the Facebook video link into the text box on the homepage and click the download button. The site will process the link for a few seconds, then show you download options with different quality levels — usually 360p, 720p, or 1080p if the original video was that quality.
Click the quality you want, and your browser will download the video file to your computer's Downloads folder. The file will be named something like "video.mp4" and will play in any media player that supports MP4 files, including Windows Media Player, VLC, or QuickTime.
These sites do not require you to create an account or install software. If one site is slow or not working, try another — they all work the same way and are free to use.
Downloading on a phone or tablet
On an iPhone, open the Facebook app, find the live video you want to save, and tap the three dots in the top right corner of the post. Select "Save Video" if that option appears — Facebook sometimes offers this for videos you own or have permission to save. If it does not appear, you will need to use a download tool instead.
On Android, the process is similar: tap the three dots and look for "Save Video." If Facebook does not offer that option, open a web browser, go to fbdown.net or getfbstuff.com, and follow the same steps as on a computer. Downloaded videos save to your phone's file manager or Photos app depending on your device settings.
Some download tools have mobile apps you can install, but the website version works just as well and does not take up storage space on your phone.
What to do if the download fails
If a download tool says the link is invalid or broken, the video may have been deleted, made private, or removed by Facebook. Check that the video still appears when you visit the link in Facebook — if it does not load for you, the download tool will not be able to access it either.
If the video is still visible but the download fails, try a different download site. Sometimes one tool works when another does not, especially if Facebook has changed how it hosts videos. Clear your browser cache and try again, or wait a few hours — occasionally the video needs time to fully process after the broadcast ends.
If you own the video and want to keep a copy, you can also download it directly from Facebook's download tool. Go to your video post, click the three dots, and select "Download" if available. This is the most reliable method for your own videos.
Understanding video quality and file size
The quality of your downloaded video depends on what quality the original broadcast was streamed at. A live video broadcast at 720p will download at 720p maximum, even if the download tool offers a 1080p option. Facebook typically streams live videos at 720p or lower depending on the broadcaster's internet connection.
Higher quality files are larger and take longer to download. A 10-minute video at 360p might be 50 MB, while the same video at 720p could be 200 MB or more. Check your device's available storage before downloading, especially on a phone or tablet with limited space.
Privacy and permission considerations
Downloading someone else's video without permission can create legal or personal problems. In some places, downloading copyrighted content is illegal even for personal use. Even if it is legal where you live, the video creator may have shared it only with specific people and may not want it copied elsewhere.
If you want to share a Facebook video with someone, send them the link instead of the downloaded file. If you need to download it for your own use — such as keeping a recording of a family event — ask the person who posted it first. Most people will agree if you explain why you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download a Facebook live video while it is still broadcasting?
No. Facebook live videos can only be downloaded after the broadcast ends and the video becomes a regular post on the timeline. While the stream is live, download tools cannot access it. Wait for the broadcast to finish, then use the download method described above.
Will the person who posted the video know I downloaded it?
No. Facebook does not notify users when someone downloads a video. The download happens between you and the download tool, not through Facebook's servers, so there is no record of it on the platform.
What if the video is private or only visible to friends?
If you can see the video in your Facebook feed, you can download it using the methods above. If the video is private and you do not have permission to view it, the download tool will not be able to access it either. You must be able to see the video yourself before you can download it.
Do I need to install software or create an account to download videos?
No. The online download tools mentioned here are free, require no account, and do not need any software installed. You simply paste the link, choose your quality, and download. Be cautious of sites that ask you to install programs or sign up — they are not necessary.
Can I download videos from Facebook pages or groups?
Yes, as long as the video is visible to you. If a video is posted on a public page or a group you are a member of, you can copy its link and download it the same way as any other Facebook video.