The simplest way to download a Facebook video

The fastest way to download a Facebook video is to use a third-party download site. Go to the video on Facebook, copy its URL from the address bar, paste it into a site like fbdown.net, getfbstuff.com, or savefrom.net, and click the download button. The video file saves to your computer's Downloads folder within seconds.

Facebook itself does not offer a built-in download button for videos you do not own. These third-party sites work around that limitation by extracting the video file from Facebook's servers. The process works on desktop browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and on mobile phones through a mobile browser, though the steps differ slightly on each device.

The video quality you get depends on what Facebook originally uploaded. Most videos download in 360p or 480p resolution. Higher-quality versions exist on Facebook but are not always available through download sites — if a video appears blurry after download, the source file itself was low-quality.

Key Takeaways

  • Copy the Facebook video URL, paste it into a download site like fbdown.net, and click download to save the file to your computer in seconds.
  • Downloaded videos land in your Downloads folder as an MP4 file that plays in any video player, including Windows Media Player, VLC, or QuickTime.
  • Video quality depends on what the original uploader posted — most Facebook videos download at 360p or 480p, not HD.
  • On mobile phones, use a mobile browser rather than the Facebook app, because the app does not let you copy video URLs easily.

Step-by-step download on a computer

Open Facebook in your web browser and find the video you want to download. Right-click on the video itself and select "Copy video URL" or "Copy link address" — the exact wording depends on your browser. If that option does not appear, click the three dots in the top right corner of the video post and look for a "Copy link" option there.

Open a new tab and go to fbdown.net (or another download site). Paste the URL into the text box and click the download button. A new page appears showing the video with a green download button next to it. Click that button and the video saves to your Downloads folder as an MP4 file.

If fbdown.net is slow or not working, try getfbstuff.com or savefrom.net instead. All three work the same way and handle most Facebook videos. Some videos may fail to download if they are marked private or if the uploader has restricted downloads — in those cases, the download site will show an error message instead of a download button.

Downloading on a phone or tablet

Open Facebook in a mobile web browser (Safari on iPhone, Chrome on Android) rather than the Facebook app. Find the video, tap the three dots in the corner of the post, and select "Copy link" or "Share link". Do not use "Share to" — you need the actual URL.

Open a new browser tab and go to fbdown.net. Paste the URL into the box and tap download. The video file downloads to your phone's default download location — usually a Downloads app or folder. On iPhone, the video may save to your Files app instead.

Downloading on mobile is slower than on desktop because mobile browsers handle large files differently. If the download stalls, try again or switch to a desktop computer. Some download sites also have mobile apps (search "Facebook video downloader" in your phone's app store), though the web browser method works just as well.

Where your downloaded video goes

On Windows, downloaded videos go to your Downloads folder by default. Open File Explorer, click "Downloads" in the left sidebar, and you will see the video file listed with a name like "video.mp4" or "facebook_video_12345.mp4". You can move it anywhere on your computer — your Desktop, Documents folder, or an external drive.

On Mac, downloaded videos also go to Downloads. Open Finder, click "Downloads" in the sidebar, and the file appears there. On iPhone, videos download to the Files app under "On My iPhone" or to your Photos app depending on which download site you used. On Android, check your Downloads app or the folder named "Downloads" in your file manager.

Once downloaded, the video plays in any media player. Windows includes Movies & TV, Mac includes QuickTime, and both systems support VLC (a free player that handles almost any video format). You can also import the video into editing software like iMovie, Adobe Premiere, or DaVinci Resolve if you want to trim or edit it.

What to do if a download fails

If the download button does not appear or shows an error, the video may be private, deleted, or restricted by the uploader. Try refreshing the page and pasting the URL again — sometimes the download site needs a moment to process the link. If it still fails, the video cannot be downloaded through that method.

If the download starts but stops halfway through, your internet connection may have dropped. Try downloading again, or switch to a different download site. Some sites are faster or more reliable than others depending on your location and internet speed.

If you downloaded the video but it will not play, the file may be corrupted. Try downloading it again from the same site or a different one. If multiple sites fail to download the same video, the file itself may be damaged on Facebook's servers, which is rare but does happen.

Understanding video quality and file size

Facebook videos download in the resolution they were originally uploaded in. A video shot on a phone and posted directly to Facebook usually downloads at 360p or 480p. Videos uploaded from a camera or edited file may be 720p or higher, but Facebook compresses most videos for faster streaming, so even high-quality uploads often download at lower resolution.

File size depends on length and quality. A five-minute 480p video is typically 20 to 50 megabytes. A one-minute 360p video might be 5 to 15 megabytes. Longer videos take up more space and take longer to download. Check your available storage before downloading very long videos, especially on a phone.

If you need a higher-quality version of a video, contact the person who uploaded it and ask them to send you the original file. Download sites cannot improve quality beyond what Facebook has stored — they only extract what is already there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to download a Facebook video?

Downloading a video for personal use is generally legal, but sharing or reposting it without permission is not. If the video is someone else's original work, you can download it to watch offline, but you cannot upload it to another platform or claim it as your own. Always respect the creator's rights.

Can I download a video someone else posted on my timeline?

Yes, if the video is visible to you on Facebook, you can download it using the same method. The download site does not check who posted it or whether you have permission — it only extracts the file. Whether you should download it depends on the uploader's wishes and copyright status.

Why does the download site ask me to complete a survey or click ads?

Most free download sites make money through ads and surveys. You do not have to complete them — close the pop-up or skip the survey and look for a direct download button. If a site requires you to install software or enter personal information, use a different download site instead.

Can I download videos from Facebook on my work computer?

Technically yes, but check your workplace's internet policy first. Many companies block download sites or restrict what you can save to work computers. Using work internet or equipment to download personal videos may violate your employment agreement.

What if the video is from a Facebook page or group I am not a member of?

If the video is public, you can download it. If it is private to the page or group, you will not be able to copy the URL unless you join. Once you join and can see the video, the download process is the same.