Facebook Stories allow users to post photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. While Stories on Facebook function similarly to Stories on other platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, there are some key differences when it comes to downloading and saving Facebook Stories.
In the opening paragraphs, it’s important to clearly state that while it is not possible to directly download videos from Facebook Stories, there are some workarounds that allow users to record or save Facebook Stories before they expire.
Is there a download button on Facebook Stories?
No, there is no download button or option to save videos directly from Facebook Stories. The ephemeral nature of Stories is part of their appeal, as content is meant to be consumed in the moment and then disappear. For this reason, Facebook does not provide users with the ability to download or save videos from Stories.
Can you save or record Facebook Stories?
Even though you cannot download videos directly from Facebook Stories, there are some workarounds that allow you to record or save Facebook Stories:
- Screen recording – You can use the screen recording feature built into iOS or Android devices to record videos from Facebook Stories.
- Third party apps – There are various third party apps and tools that allow you to download or record Facebook videos, including Stories.
- Facebook Story downloader tools – Some websites provide tools or services for entering a Facebook Story URL and downloading the video file.
The most straightforward option is to use your device’s built-in screen recording capabilities. Both iOS and Android phones allow you to record your screen, including audio and video. Here’s how:
Recording Facebook Stories on iPhone
- Open the Facebook Story you want to record.
- Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen to open Control Center.
- Tap the Screen Recording icon which looks like a circle inside a circle.
- Tap ‘Start Recording’ and your screen will begin recording.
- Once you’ve finished recording the video, tap the red banner at the top of the screen to stop recording.
- Your screen recording will be saved to your Photos app where you can access it.
Recording Facebook Stories on Android
- Open the Facebook Story you want to record.
- Open your notification shade and tap the Screen Recorder quick action tile which looks like a circle.
- Tap ‘Start Recording’ and your screen will begin recording.
- Once you’ve finished recording the video, tap the notification banner at the top and tap ‘Stop’.
- The recording will be saved to your phone’s Photos/Gallery app.
Using your device’s built-in screen recorder is the simplest option if you want to quickly save a Facebook video. However, there are also various third party apps and tools that provide added functionality:
| App/Tool | Platform | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| AZ Screen Recorder | Android | – Record internal audio – No time limits on recordings – Trim recordings after |
| DU Recorder | Android, iOS | – Front camera recording – Livestream support – Draw on screen |
| Apowersoft Screen Recorder | Android, iOS | – No watermarks – Cloud syncing – Video editor |
These apps provide added functionality like custom overlays, no time limits, cloud syncing, and video editing options. However, you need to download the app and some features require a paid subscription.
Can you download Facebook Stories using third party tools?
In addition to mobile apps, there are also web-based tools and services that allow you to download Facebook Stories.
Most of these tools require you to copy and paste the link to the Facebook Story you want to save:
- Open the Facebook Story you want to download.
- Tap on the user name at the top to open their Facebook profile in a browser.
- Copy the URL of this page.
- Go to the Facebook Story downloader tool website and paste the URL.
- The website will analyze the URL and provide options to download the video.
Some popular Facebook Story downloader tools include:
These tools scrape the Facebook page to try and extract the original video file so you can download it. However, Facebook is continuously working to block these scraper sites, so results can be inconsistent.
Are there any risks to downloading Facebook Stories?
While it is possible to download Facebook Stories using the methods described above, there are some risks and downsides to keep in mind:
- Quality loss – Recording a video off your screen or re-compressing a downloaded file can reduce video and audio quality.
- Permission issues – Downloading stories without the original poster’s consent could be an invasion of privacy in some cases.
- Copyright violations – Sharing or reposting downloaded Stories could potentially violate copyright law.
- Third party risks – Downloader tools and apps may install malware or spam you with ads.
Overall, you should carefully consider why you need to download a Facebook Story and weigh the potential risks. For casual saving, using your device’s built-in screen recorder is likely the safest option.
How can you repost a Facebook Story legally?
If you want to legally repost content from a Facebook Story, here are some tips:
- Ask permission – Contact the original poster directly and get consent first.
- Credit the creator – Always credit the original creator prominently.
- Check their preferences – Some creators do not allow sharing of their content.
- Review copyright laws – Generally non-commercial reposting in context is allowed under fair use.
- Avoid full reuploads – Consider using short clips or screenshots with commentary instead.
- Disable downloads – Use third party apps or website settings to disable downloading.
Getting express consent from the original creator and clearly crediting them is the best practice. Also keep in mind that even with permission, the copyright holder can request takedowns or revoke their consent at any time.
What types of videos can you post as Facebook Stories?
Facebook Stories support photos and videos up to 15 seconds long. Some types of videos commonly posted as Facebook Stories include:
- Personal updates – Short clips showing what you’re up to throughout the day.
- Travel highlights – Quick snippets from vacations and trips.
- Behind-the-scenes footage – Clips giving a peek into your daily life or work.
- HOW-TOs and tutorials – Short instructional videos.
- Product promotions – Teasers and samples showing off an item.
- Memes and jokes – Funny reaction videos or short comedy skits.
Facebook Stories are designed for casual, in-the-moment content rather than highly produced video projects. The 15 second limit requires getting creative to convey your full message quickly!
Can you recover expired Facebook Stories?
Once Facebook Stories expire after 24 hours, they cannot be recovered or reposted directly to Facebook. However, if you saved the Story using one of the recording methods above, you can re-upload the video as a post or new Story.
Some ways you can recover and re-share expired Facebook Stories include:
- Screen recordings – Upload the video file you recorded to Facebook as a native video post.
- Third party downloads – Re-upload the video file you downloaded using a website tool.
- Restoring from backup – Some Android tools backup all Stories which can be restored.
However, these re-uploads will not retain the text, stickers, drawings or other overlays from the original Story. The video itself can be recovered but not necessarily the original Story with all edits and elements.
Can you share a Facebook Story on other platforms?
Yes, it is possible to share Facebook Stories on other platforms like Instagram, Twitter, YouTube etc. You have two main options:
- Cross-post while publishing – When creating a Story, tap the “Share to” link and select any connected platforms you want to share to simultaneously.
- Download and re-upload – Use a screen recording or downloader tool to save the video file and then manually upload it to other platforms.
The advantage of cross-posting is that the Story will be uploaded natively in the other apps. But this is only possible when first publishing, not for already expired Stories. For those, you need to download and manually re-upload the video file.
Conclusion
While downloading videos directly from Facebook Stories is not possible, users do have several workarounds at their disposal. Using built-in screen recording or third party apps allows saving Stories temporarily before they expire after 24 hours. There are some risks in terms of quality, permissions and copyrights that should be kept in mind. But for personal archiving or sharing with proper consent, downloading Facebook Stories can be a useful option.