Facebook doesn't let you download live videos directly, but you can save them after the broadcast ends
When a Facebook live stream finishes, it becomes a regular video on that person's or page's timeline. At that point, you can use a video download tool to save it to your device — Facebook itself has no built-in download button for any video. The video must be public or shared with you, and the person who posted it must not have deleted it.
If you want to record a live stream while it's happening, you'll need screen recording software on your phone or computer instead. This guide covers both: how to get a video after the live broadcast ends, and how to capture one while it's still streaming.
Key Takeaways
- Live videos become regular posted videos after the broadcast ends, and only then can download tools work on them.
- You need the video's direct Facebook link, which you can copy from the video's page or from the person's timeline.
- Free online download tools like y2mate or fbdown work in your web browser and require no software installation.
- To record a live stream as it happens, use your device's built-in screen recording feature instead of a download tool.
- Downloaded videos are for your personal use only — sharing or reposting them without permission violates Facebook's terms.
Wait for the live broadcast to end and become a regular video
Facebook live streams exist only while the person is broadcasting. Once they stop streaming, the video stays on their timeline as a regular posted video. This is the moment when download tools can work — they cannot capture a live stream in progress.
Go to the timeline or page where the live video was broadcast. Look for the video in the feed. It will no longer say "Live" — it will show the length of the video instead, like "12 minutes." If you cannot find it, the person may have deleted it, or it may be set to private so only certain people can see it.
Copy the video's direct link from Facebook
Right-click on the video itself (not the person's name or the caption). Select "Copy video URL" or "Copy link to video" — the exact wording depends on your browser. This copies the direct link to that specific video.
If you're on a phone, tap and hold the video, then select "Copy link." If that option doesn't appear, tap the three dots above the video, then look for "Copy link to post" or similar.
Paste the link somewhere you can see it — a notes app, a text message to yourself, or just keep it in your clipboard. You'll need this link in the next step.
Use a free online download tool to save the video
Open a new browser tab and go to a video download website. Common ones include y2mate.com, fbdown.net, or getfbstuff.com. These sites work in your browser with no software to install.
Paste the Facebook video link into the text box on the site. Click the button that says "Download," "Get Video," or similar. The site will process the link and show you download options.
You'll usually see choices for video quality — HD, 720p, 480p, or lower. Pick the quality you want. Click the download button next to it. Your browser will download the video file to your device's default download folder, usually called "Downloads."
The download may take a few minutes depending on the video length and your internet speed. Do not close the browser tab until it finishes.
Record a live stream while it's happening using screen recording
If you want to capture a live video as the person is broadcasting, download tools won't work because the video doesn't have a permanent link yet. Instead, use your device's built-in screen recording feature.
On iPhone: Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. Press and hold the screen recording icon (a circle inside a circle). Tap "Microphone Audio" to include sound, then tap "Start Recording." Open the Facebook live video and let it record. When done, swipe down again and tap the red recording indicator to stop.
On Android: Swipe down twice from the top to open Quick Settings. Look for "Screen Recorder" or "Screen Record." Tap it, choose whether to include audio, then tap "Start." Open the Facebook live video. When done, swipe down and tap the recording notification to stop.
On Windows: Press Windows key + G to open the Game Bar. Click the record button (red circle), or press Windows key + Alt + R. Open the Facebook live video in your browser. When done, press Windows key + Alt + R again to stop.
On Mac: Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the screenshot menu. Click "Record," then select the area of your screen that shows the video. Click "Record." When done, click the stop button in the menu bar.
Find videos that have already been saved to a page's archive
Many Facebook pages and profiles save their live videos in a dedicated section. Go to the page or profile, then look for a "Videos" tab or section. Click it to see all posted videos, including past live streams that have been saved.
From there, you can copy the link and use a download tool the same way as described above. Not every page keeps an archive, and some creators delete old videos, so this method doesn't always work.
Understand what you can and cannot do with a downloaded video
Downloaded videos are for your personal use — watching on your own device, sharing with friends in a private message, or keeping a copy for yourself. You cannot repost the video to your own timeline, upload it to another platform, or share it publicly without the original creator's permission.
If you want to share a Facebook video with others, the proper way is to send them the Facebook link itself, not a copy of the video file. This respects the creator's rights and keeps the view count accurate on their original post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download a live video while it's still streaming?
No. Download tools only work after the live broadcast ends and the video becomes a regular posted video. While it's live, use your device's screen recording feature instead to capture it in real time.
What if the video says "This content isn't available"?
The video has been deleted, or it's set to private and you don't have permission to see it. If it's a friend's video, ask them to check their privacy settings or re-upload it. If it's a public page's video, it may be gone permanently.
Do I need to install software to download a Facebook video?
No. Free online download tools like y2mate work in your web browser. Avoid sites that ask you to download an app or software — they're often unreliable or contain unwanted programs. Stick to browser-based tools.
Why does the download tool say the link is invalid?
Make sure you copied the full video link, not just the person's profile link. The link should include the video ID and look something like facebook.com/watch/?v=123456789. If the video is private, the tool won't be able to access it either.
Can I download videos from a private Facebook group?
Only if you're a member of the group and the video is visible to you. Copy the video link the same way, paste it into a download tool, and proceed. If the tool says the link is invalid, the video may be restricted to group members only.