Can I download my own videos from Facebook?

If you have desktop software in place to download YouTube videos, such as 4K Video Downloader, try that. Most of the tools that work for YouTube, Vimeo, and others also work with Facebook URLs. But there are other methods.

Direct Desktop Downloads

Facebook provides a "Save Video" link in the ellipsis menu next to almost every video. But that's not for saving the video to your local storage—it only "saves" it on Facebook to a section of your account called "Saved Videos," where you can create collections to watch later. If the owner deletes the video, you won't have access to it anymore.

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About Eric Griffith

Features Editor

I've been writing about computers, the internet, and technology professionally for 30 years, more than half of that time with PCMag. I run several special projects including the Readers' Choice and Business Choice surveys, and yearly coverage of the Fastest ISPs and Best Gaming ISPs. I work from my home, and did it long before pandemics made it cool.

Maybe you want to use a clip from it. Or maybe you want to re-edit the video, re-share it, or post it to try to get more Likes on Facebook.

Here are 3 other possible reasons:

1. You uploaded via Instagram

You created a video on Instagram and pushed it to your Facebook Page (excellent way to get big reach, btw!).

Now you want to extract the Facebook video and use the video on YouTube, Vimeo or your own site.

2. You uploaded via a gaming console

My 10 year old son wants to be one of those gamer kids on his YouTube channel.

His PS4 console has the option to record the video game -- but then only allows him to post it to Facebook, not YouTube.

Not good.

3. You created a Live video on a private Facebook Group

If you have a private Facebook Group and you're actively going Live, you might want to share that content in other locations.

Now you can! 

So, how do you download a Facebook video file so you can upload it to other places? I'll show you below.

How to Download Facebook Videos (or Live Video) in 4 Steps

This ninja trick shows you how to extract an MP4 file of your video from Facebook.

No fancy software required!

Below are the steps involved to download any Facebook video from a Page, Profile or Group!

Step 1: Go to the page

Go to the page that posted the video.

Then click the "Video" tab on the left hand side. 

Step 2: Find the video

If you don't have a direct link to the video, search for it in the Video tab. Once you find the video you want to download, click on it to open it.

Once you do that, you'll see the date/time stamp.

Step 3: Copy the video link

Right click on the date/time stamp and copy the link.

Choose "Copy Link Address".

Step 4: Download the video

You have several options when you're ready to download any video from Facebook. Which version you choose is dependent on a couple of things:

• Is it on a Page, Profile or Group?
• Is it Public or Private?

For example, let's say you manage a Private Facebook Group and want to download your latest Facebook Live video.

You might think you wouldn't be able to download from a private group, right? WRONG!

You can. 😀

Below are a few options to download the full (high resolution) Facebook video file.

A. Use a free website

There are many online websites that allow you to download a Facebook video without adding unnecessary software to your computer.

ByClick Downloader

Just head to the site and click "Download" and follow instructions.

Takes seconds.

fbdownloader

1. Copy the URL to the Facebook video.
2. Paste the URL next to the "Go" video.
3. Exit out of any ads that pop up.
4. Download your desired quality of the video.

KeepVid

KeepVid is another simple option. Same instructions as above!

GetFVid

GetFVid is for those times when you need to save a Facebook video that's shared on a private Group. And it's simple to do!

1. Go to the Facebook video you'd like to download

2. Press 'CTRL + U' or right click anywhere on the video and choose "View Page Source," "to view page source in a new window

3. Copy and Paste the page source into GetFVid

If you're like me and you love any option that simplifies your process, use an extension instead of navigating to the website.

B. Use a browser extension

If you don't want to use an internet site to extract Facebook videos, you can use a browser extension.

Video Downloader For FB

The most stable Chrome extension out there is Video Downloader For FB.

Add the Chrome extension and download Facebook videos while on the social network!

Final thoughts on how to download Facebook live video

Yep, it's really that simple! That's how you download Facebook videos.

And yes, this works for Facebook live video too!

You just need to wait for the live video to finish. Then you can follow the same steps above.

Again, once you download the video file, you can reuse the video on other platforms -- like your website, YouTube or any other video channel you would like.

Why can't I download my own videos from Facebook?