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How to Download a Video from Facebook

by Suzanne Kantra on June 15, 2021

Facebook likes to keep your content on its service and doesn't offer any way to natively download videos. So, while you can share Facebook video posts within Facebook or provide a link to the video, there is no to share that video via email or other social platforms.

We tested out various tools that claim to let you download Facebook videos, and found one that, Getvid, that consistently worked the best across multiple browsers and was the easiest to use. For videos that are "Public" on Facebook, you can use the Getvid app or just copy and paste the video link to the getvid website. For videos shared by your friends or in a Facebook Group which has stricter privacy settings, you will need to use the Getvid app. 

Here are the step-by-step instructions for each method.

How to download public Facebook videos

If friends and family or a page shares a video publicly (there will be a globe icon instead of a people icon next to the date on the post), you can use the Getfvid site to easily download a copy.

1. On your computer, browse to the Facebook video that you want to download.

2. In the upper right corner of the video post, click on the triple dots to reveal the menu.

Screenshot of Facebook video post showing the globe indicating the video is public, the triple dots for the menu in the upper right, and the Copy Link menu option.

3. Click on Copy Link.

4. Browse to https://www.getfvid.com/

5. Use the Ctrl+V keyboard shortcut to paste the link into the green box to the left of the green button entitled Download.

screenshot of Getfvid website showing the green box where you paste the Facebook video URL and the Download button.

6. You'll see a thumbnail image of the video and to the right the options to "Download in HD quality," "Download in Normal Quality," and "Audio Only." Select the video quality you want.

thumbnail image of the video and to the right the options to Download in HD quality, Download in Normal Quality, and Audio Only.

7. A new tab will open and play the video that you want to download. In the lower right corner of the video click on the triple dots.

Screenshot of video with triple dot menu pointed out.

8. Select Download. The video will download to your default downloads folder for your browser.

How to download Facebook videos shared by friends or private groups

If your Facebook friend’s video is not shared publicly (you see the people icon instead of the globe), you’ll need to download the Getfvid browser plugin for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

1. On your computer, use your Chrome or Edge browser to download and install the Chrome Social Video Downloader or use your Firefox browser to download and install the Firefox Video Downloader for Facebook.

2. Browse to the Facebook video that you want to download.

3. You’ll now see a green Download button in the upper right corner of the video. Click the Download button.

Screenshot of Facebook video post with the Download button pointed out.

If you don’t see the Download button, you’ll need to open the video post by clicking on the Enlarge icon (the two arrows). 

Screenshot of Facebook page with a video post and the enlarge icon pointed out on the video.

4. Choose HD (high-definition) or SD (standard-definition) video.

Screenshot of Facebook video post with HD and SD download options in green box.

5. A new tab will open. You’ll see a light gray rectangle with a video icon showing the length of the video and, to the right, a big green DOWNLOAD button. Click on the DOWNLOAD button (watch out for the ads that have similar download buttons). The video will download to your default downloads folder for your browser.

thumbnail image of the video and to the right the Download button.

[Image credit: Techlicious]

For the past 20+ years, Techlicious founder Suzanne Kantra has been exploring and writing about the world’s most exciting and important science and technology issues. Prior to Techlicious, Suzanne was the Technology Editor for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and the Senior Technology Editor for Popular Science. Suzanne has been featured on CNN, CBS, and NBC.


Topics

Tips & How-Tos, Computers and Software, Software & Games, Photo / Video Sharing, Tech 101


Discussion loading

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From Doug Rebertus on December 08, 2021 :: 6:50 pm


Why is it necessary to enter the URL twice when copying a video? I paste the URL and hit Download. The URL disappears. I paste the URL again, hit Download, THEN it allows me to “Save video As.”

Reply

gravatar

From Aji Ibrahim Grema on March 25, 2022 :: 4:41 pm


Facebook is my friend and friend to everyone.
It connects me to the rest of the world ๐ŸŒŽ๐ŸŒ๐ŸŒŽ๐ŸŒ๐ŸŒŽ.

Reply

gravatar

From Prince Rai on August 17, 2023 :: 10:39 am


Hello sir.               
My Facebook account has been hacked,
When I try to login it’s showing me that the password is incorrect and changed. Then I also tried forget password. But the hacker has also changed the phone number and email form account. That’s why I totally lost my access. That’s why I am sending my identify to proof that I am real owner of this account. Please do something about !

My account link :. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091582988903

Yours Faithfully
Prince Rai

Reply

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