With over 2 billion monthly active users, Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms for sharing photos, videos, and other multimedia content. Sometimes you may come across a funny or interesting video on Facebook that you want to save and watch later on your phone. Fortunately, while Facebook doesn’t allow users to directly download videos from its platform, there are some workaround methods you can use to save Facebook videos to your smartphone.
Why You Can’t Directly Download Facebook Videos
Before we get into the methods for downloading Facebook videos, it helps to understand why you can’t directly download videos from Facebook in the first place. There are a couple of reasons for this:
- Copyright – Most videos on Facebook are uploaded by individual users. Facebook wants to protect the copyrights of those users by preventing other people from downloading their videos without permission.
- Ad Revenue – Facebook makes money by showing ads before and during videos. Allowing users to download videos could potentially cut into this revenue stream.
- Control – Preventing downloads allows Facebook to control how videos are viewed and shared to align with their terms of service.
So in summary, the download prevention is mainly to protect copyrights, maintain control, and secure ad revenue. While you can’t download directly from Facebook, there are still ways to save Facebook videos to your mobile device as we’ll discuss next.
Method 1: Use a Web Browser on Your Phone
The easiest way to download and save a Facebook video on your iPhone or Android phone is to use your mobile browser (Safari or Chrome):
- Open the Facebook app on your phone and find the video you want to download.
- Copy the URL (web address) of the video from the Facebook app.
- Open your phone’s web browser and paste the video URL into the address bar.
- On the video page, hold down on the video itself and a menu should pop up.
- On iPhone, choose “Download Video” and on Android choose “Download link”.
- The video will now download directly into your phone’s local storage.
This method takes advantage of the fact that mobile browsers like Safari and Chrome allow downloading videos, while the Facebook app does not. Once you copy the video URL into the browser, you can save the video like any normal web video.
Pros:
- Simple and fast process
- Works on both iPhone and Android
- Downloads the full quality video file
Cons:
- Need to switch between Facebook app and browser
- Only downloads one video at a time
Method 2: Use a Third Party Facebook Video Downloader
Another option is to use a dedicated Facebook video downloader tool or website. These services allow you to paste in a video URL from Facebook, then download the video directly to your computer or mobile device.
Some popular Facebook video downloaders include:
- SaveFrom.Net – Web-based tool, easy to use
- FBDown – Specialized for downloading Facebook videos
- 4K Video Downloader -Downloader app for Windows and Mac
- VideoProc – Provides mobile apps and extensions
Here is how these Facebook downloaders work:
- Copy the URL of the Facebook video you want to download
- Open the downloader tool or website and paste in the video URL
- Select download settings like video format and quality
- Download the video to your computer or mobile device
Most of these tools support downloading the video in different file formats and resolutions. Many also allow you to download multiple Facebook videos in a batch.
Pros:
- Easy downloading process
- Ability to select video quality
- Batch downloading capability
Cons:
- Third party websites may seem suspicious
- Some tools have download limits or ads
Method 3: Use a Facebook Video Downloader App
There are also some apps you can install on your iPhone or Android device specifically designed to download videos from Facebook:
- Video Downloader for Facebook – Android app with 4+ rating
- Video Downloader for Facebook Pro – iPhone app with 4+ rating
- KeepVid: Download Facebook Videos – iPhone and Android app
The process of using these apps is straightforward:
- Install app from the App Store or Google Play Store
- Open the app and give permissions to access Facebook
- Paste the link to the Facebook video you want to download
- Tap the download button in the app interface
- The video will download directly to your camera roll or storage
The apps provide an easy way to download videos without having to use your mobile browser. However, quality and features can vary across the different apps.
Pros:
- Dedicated downloader tool for mobile
- Simple app interfaces
- Save videos directly on device storage
Cons:
- Need to install another app on your phone
- Some apps may have ads or in-app purchases
- Features and reliability varies between apps
Method 4: Use the Desktop Facebook Site
If you are having trouble downloading videos directly to your phone, another option is to use the desktop version of Facebook in your mobile browser:
- Copy the Facebook video URL on your phone as usual
- Paste the video URL into your mobile browser
- Tap the three dot menu in the browser and choose “Desktop site”
- The desktop version of Facebook will load, with the video
- Right click the video and choose “Save Video As”
- Select a download location on your phone storage
This takes advantage of the fact that Facebook’s desktop website allows you to right click and save videos – a feature not available on mobile. Switching to desktop mode on your phone’s browser essentially tricks Facebook into thinking you’re on a computer.
Pros:
- Lets you download videos directly
- No third party apps required
- Works on both iPhone and Android
Cons:
- More tedious process
- Need to enable desktop mode on browser
- Right click can be difficult on touchscreens
Choosing the Right Facebook Video Downloader Method
When deciding how to download Facebook videos to your smartphone, there are a few key considerations:
- Convenience – How easy is the method to use? Does it require lots of switching apps and copying links?
- File Format – Do you want MP4, GIF, or another file type?
- Video Quality – Will the method allow you to select SD, HD, or highest res?
- Privacy – Are you comfortable using third party apps or sites?
In general, using your mobile browser is the easiest and most private option. Third party downloader tools provide the most features and format choice. And downloader apps offer a simple dedicated video saving solution.
Consider which factors are most important for your download needs, and choose the method that best fits your priorities.
Other Ways to View Facebook Videos Without Downloading
If you don’t necessarily want to download Facebook videos to keep permanently, there are also some ways to view them offline temporarily:
- Save to Watch Later – Facebook has a built-in Watch Later playlist to bookmark videos.
- Screen Recording – Screen record videos to view later before they expire.
- Facebook Lite – Streamlined mobile app can play videos when offline.
- View Embedded Video Links – Open the direct video file links in browser when offline.
These methods allow you to view Facebook videos without fully downloading the files. While not permanent solutions, they can be useful alternatives in some cases.
Downloading Facebook Videos on PC
We’ve focused this guide on downloading Facebook videos to your smartphone. But you may also want to save Facebook videos to your computer. Here are some ways to do that:
- Use web browser video downloader extensions like Video DownloadHelper.
- Use PC software tools like 4K Video Downloader or WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe.
- Use online Facebook video downloaders, which work on desktop browsers too.
- Screen record videos playing on your computer using software like Quicktime.
The process is very similar to the mobile methods. And you have the advantage of a larger screen and mouse, which makes downloading easier than on a phone.
Legal Considerations for Downloading Facebook Videos
When saving Facebook videos to your devices, keep in mind:
- Downloading videos may violate Facebook’s Terms of Service if done excessively.
- Only download videos uploaded by people you know or that are publicly available.
- Do not share or distribute downloaded videos without permission.
- Videos include intellectual property that may be copyrighted.
Responsible downloading of reasonable quantities for personal use is unlikely to cause issues. But always respect content owners and don’t use downloads in unauthorized ways.
Conclusion
While Facebook doesn’t make it easy, with the right tools and techniques you can successfully save Facebook videos to your smartphone. Using your mobile browser, third party apps, or dedicated downloader tools each provide different benefits. Consider which factors like convenience, speed, and video format are most important to choose the best method.
Just remember to download and share responsibly, and you’ll be able to build up an entertaining FB video collection on your phone.