How do I download Facebook reels for free?

Facebook reels are short, fun videos that can be created and shared on Facebook and Instagram. They allow users to get creative and make entertaining short videos set to music or with creative effects. As reels gain popularity, many users want to save or download reels they like to share with friends or just have a copy on their device. However, unlike normal videos, downloading Facebook or Instagram reels isn’t as straightforward.

In this article, we’ll look at why you may want to download Facebook reels and the options available to save reels on your device for free. We’ll also look at some reasons why Facebook/Instagram doesn’t make it easy to download reels and some workarounds people have found to save reels.

Why Do People Want to Download Facebook Reels?

There are several reasons why people may want to download reels from Facebook or Instagram:

To save a reel they like and want to keep – Just like saving photos or videos, people want to build collections of fun reels to look back on later.

To share a reel with friends – It’s easier to share a reel via messaging apps if you have it saved on your device.

To reuse or remix content – Downloading gives you access to the video/audio content to reuse or remix into your own new reels.

Offline viewing – If you don’t have an internet connection, you can still watch reels you have downloaded.

Avoid losing access – If the original reel gets deleted or you get banned, you still have copies of your favorite reels.

Why Facebook/Instagram Doesn’t Allow Direct Downloads

Unlike normal social media posts and videos, Facebook and Instagram intentionally make it difficult to download reels. There are a few reasons behind this:

Protect copyrighted material – Lots of reels use music, clips or images that may be copyrighted. Downloads make it easier to reuse material without permission.

Encourage sharing on platform – Downloads allow off-platform sharing, while Instagram/Facebook wants sharing to happen in apps.

Data collection – Apps can collect data on how users interact with reels. Downloads removes ability to track viewing data.

Ad revenue – Most reels monetize with ads. Downloaded reels remove the ads and related revenue opportunities.

So in summary, the platforms want to protect content creators, maintain control over sharing, collect viewing data, and enable monetization. Direct downloads disrupt all of these goals.

Can I Actually Download Facebook Reels?

Despite Facebook/Instagram’s efforts to prevent downloads, people have found workarounds to save reels on devices. Here are some options:

Use Third-Party Apps or Websites

There are various third-party mobile apps and websites that allow downloading Instagram and Facebook reels. Some examples:

Insaver – Android app to download reels from Instagram.

ReelRoulette – Enter reel URL to download reel videos.

FastReels – Website and iOS app for downloading reels.

The download process varies by app but generally involves:

Copying the reel URL from Instagram or Facebook app

Pasting URL in third-party downloader app
Downloading the reel video file to your device storage

Screen Recording

A manual but straightforward way to save reels is to simply screen record yourself playing the reel in the Instagram or Facebook app. For example, on iPhone you can:

Open the reel you want to download in the app
Go to Control Center and start a screen recording
Play the entire reel video within the app

Stop the screen recording
The reel video will be saved to your Photos app

This gives you a video file of the reel that you can share or save offline. The downside is the video quality may not be as high as downloading the original file.

Browser Extensions (Instagram Only)

For Instagram reels, some browser extensions like Reel Downloader for Chrome allow downloading reels. To use:

Install browser extension
Go to Instagram reel page in Chrome

Click extension icon to download reel

However Facebook reels don’t appear to be downloadable via browser extensions.

Are These Download Methods Legal?

The legality of these reel downloading options is questionable in many cases. While not definitively illegal, here are some risks:

Breaching Platform Terms of Service – All workarounds violate TOS policies of Facebook and Instagram.

DMCA Takedowns – Apps/sites hosting downloads may get DMCA notices and have to take down content.

Account Bans – Accounts could potentially be banned for using third-party downloading apps.

So while unlikely to be direct legal consequences, you do breach platform policies. Proceed with caution.

Top 5 Safe Reel Downloaders

If you do choose to download Instagram or Facebook reels, here are 5 recommended safe options:

1. Insaver (Android)

Leading Android app for Instagram reel downloads
Straightforward download process from link
Supports downloading photos and videos too

No watermarks on downloaded reels

2. ReelDown (Web)

Web app requiring just a reel URL
Fast high-quality reel download

Useful bulk download and playlist features
Supports both Instagram and Facebook

3. FastReels (iOS)

Top reel downloader for iPhone

Features options for resolution and format
Allows downloading entire public reel accounts
Clean intuitive interface

4. FBRX (Browser Extension)

Downloader specifically for Facebook Reels
Simple add-on for Chrome and Firefox
One-click download from any reel page

Free tool with no limits

5. 4K Stogram (Windows/Mac)

A desktop app supporting various social media
Well-established downloader with 4+ rating

Download entire sets of reels easily
Great for managing bulk downloads

Risks and Precautions When Downloading Reels

If you do decide to download Facebook or Instagram reels, take these precautions:

Avoid anything that needs login credentials – Don’t enter your social media passwords in third-party apps.

Use a secondary “burner” social media account – Don’t risk your main account getting banned.

Check reviews and ratings – Use established, well-rated apps and services.

Beware of ads/spam – Be careful of ads, spam popups on download sites.

Don’t re-upload pirated content – Avoid re-posting downloaded reels publicly.

Download responsibly – Avoid bulk downloading or selling downloaded reels.

Steps to Download Facebook Reels on Mobile

Here is a step-by-step guide to download Facebook reels on your iPhone or Android phone:

On iPhone

Install the FastReels app from the App Store
Open the Facebook app and find the reel you want to download

Tap the three dots above the reel and select Copy Link
Open FastReels and tap the + button
Paste the reel URL into FastReels and tap Download

The reel will begin downloading. Tap Save when complete.
The reel will be saved to your camera roll.

On Android Phone

Get the Insaver app from the Play Store

In the Facebook app, tap the three dots on a reel and choose Copy Link
In Insaver tap the + button and paste the link
Tap Download – the reel will be saved to your phone

You can access downloaded reels in the Insaver app

And that’s it! You now have the reel video downloaded on your phone.

How to Download Facebook Reels on PC

To save Facebook reels on your Windows or Mac computer:

On Windows

Install 4K Stogram desktop app
Copy link to the Facebook reel you want to download
Paste link in 4K Stogram and click Add Media

Select the resolution and location to save
Click Download – reel will download to your chosen folder

On Mac

Install the Mac version of 4K Stogram

Launch the app and click Add Media
Paste the link to the Facebook reel
Pick resolution, file format, destination to save

Click Download and the reel will save

The steps are very similar for Windows and Mac. The 4K Stogram app makes downloading reels to your computer easy.

Troubleshooting Facebook Reel Downloads

If you have issues downloading Facebook reels, try these troubleshooting tips:

Link Not Working

Make sure you are copying the link from the three dots menu above the reel, not just pasting the URL.
Double check the full link is copying correctly with no breaks.
Try deleting and re-copying the link before pasting to download.

Can’t Find Download Button

The downloader app may need to be updated to the latest version for compatibility.
Check the FAQ for the app – newer versions may have moved the downloads section.
Make sure the app supports Facebook (some only work for Instagram).

Downloaded Reel Not Working

Corrupted files can occur if the download gets interrupted.
Try deleting and redownloading the file.
Check your internet connection is stable during download.

The app you’re using could be buggy – try an alternative.

App Requests Login/Suspicious

Don’t ever enter your social media login credentials in third-party apps – this is unsafe.
Delete the app and find a more trustworthy downloader that doesn’t require login.

Use burner accounts instead of your personal account when possible.

Legal Alternatives to Downloading Facebook Reels

While downloading reels from Facebook or Instagram breaches their policies, here are some legal ways to save reels:

Screen record reels in the app to create a copy.

Ask the creator directly if they can send or share the original reel file with you.

Download reels from creators offering files on other platforms like YouTube.

Use features like Facebook Watch Party to screen record a private viewing session.

If you own rights to content, upload natively to Instagram/Facebook which gives you the backends.

Screen grab or use virtual camera apps to record playback on computer.

So while not as straightforward, these methods avoid breaching usage terms or copyright issues.

Conclusion

While reels are designed not to allow downloads, with the right third-party apps you can save Facebook and Instagram reels to view offline or share outside the apps. However, it’s important to be cautious of shady apps, protect your account, and avoid pirating content. Screen recording reels directly or asking creators for copies provides safer legal alternatives.