Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms, with billions of users sharing photos every day. When you upload photos to Facebook, they are compressed to save space. The default resolution for photos on Facebook is low – usually around 720×720 pixels. This compression makes the photos look pixelated, blurry, and low quality when viewed full screen or printed.
The good news is that Facebook stores a high resolution version of every photo you upload. So it is possible to download the original, high resolution photos from Facebook. You just need to know the right method.
In this guide, I will show you multiple ways to save high resolution photos from Facebook. We will cover how to download single photos, albums, and Facebook covers in their original size. With the right technique, you can download crisp, clear photos from Facebook either on desktop or mobile.
Why Download High Resolution Photos from Facebook?
Here are some common reasons you may want to download full resolution photos from Facebook:
Print Photos
Pixelated, low-quality photos do not print well. To print Facebook photos for canvas prints, photo books, or as individual prints, you need the high resolution originals.
Edit and Enhance Photos
With high resolution photos, you can zoom in and edit small details. You can crop, enhance colors, apply filters, add text, remove blemishes, and more. With compressed photos, your editing options are limited.
Share and Reuse Photos
You may want to reuse photos shared by others on Facebook. Or share high resolution versions of your own photos on other platforms. For that, you need to first download the high resolution files.
Backup and Archive
Downloading your Facebook photos allows you to create backups. That way you have the original files even if they are deleted from Facebook. It serves as a long term archive.
Higher Quality Previews
Viewing compressed Facebook photos on a large screen can be unpleasant. Downloading the high resolution photos allows you to view them properly in full screen.
Ways to Download High Resolution Photos from Facebook
Let’s look at the various methods to download full resolution photos from Facebook, step-by-step:
Method 1: Use the Facebook Photo Download Tool (Desktop)
Facebook has its own photo download tool available on the desktop website. Here are the steps to use it:
1. Go to facebook.com and log in to your account.
2. Click on the downward arrow at the top right and select Settings & Privacy.
3. From the left sidebar, choose Settings.
4. Scroll down and click on Your Facebook Information in the menu.
5. Under the Download Your Information section, click on the View button.
6. In the Facebook Information section, click on the large blue button saying Create File.
7. Deselect all categories and check only Photos and Videos.
8. Set the date range if you only need photos from a specific period.
9. Click on the blue Create File button to start processing your download request.
10. Facebook will take some time to compile all your photos in high resolution. When ready, you will get a notification by email.
11. Go back to the Your Facebook Information page and click on Available Copies. Download the .zip file containing your photos.
This method is a little tedious, but ensures you get all your Facebook photos in their original resolution. The download tool is the official way to export your photos from Facebook in high quality.
Method 2: Use the Facebook Album Download Tool
If you only need to download a single photo album from Facebook, there is an even easier option:
1. Go to the photo album on Facebook that you want to download.
2. Click on the Options button (three dots icon) at the top right.
3. Choose Download Album.
4. A zip file containing all the photos will automatically get downloaded to your computer.
This lets you quickly batch download an entire album in high resolution instead of having to save each photo one by one.
Method 3: Use the Save Photo Option on Facebook
When viewing a single photo on Facebook, you can directly save it to your computer in high resolution using the Save Photo option:
1. Go to the photo post on Facebook and click on the photo to open it at full size view.
2. Click on the Options button (three dots icon) at the bottom right corner.
3. Choose Save Photo from the menu.
4. The photo will get downloaded to the default Photos folder on your computer.
This method works for single photos. While it’s a few extra clicks compared to just right-click saving, it ensures you get the high resolution file instead of the compressed web version.
Method 4: Use Browser Extensions
Several third party browser extensions and add-ons allow saving high resolution photos from Facebook with a right click. Some popular options:
– **Facebook Image Downloader** – Chrome extension to download full resolution photos.
– **Image Downloader** – Firefox and Chrome extension to save high res images.
– **DownAlbum** – Download full albums from Facebook and Instagram.
– **Owl Extension** – All-in-one tool with options to download Facebook photos.
These extensions integrate with your browser and provide quick shortcuts to download the high resolution versions of Facebook photos instead of the low quality compressed versions.
Method 5: Use Online Downloaders
There are many online tools and apps you can use to download high resolution Facebook photos:
– **Social Video Downloader** – Insert a Facebook photo URL to download the high res version.
– **GetHighRes** – Download single photos and full albums in high resolution.
– **SaveFromNet** – Web app to download Facebook photos in original quality.
– **Photolift** – Bulk download entire Facebook profiles and pages.
– **ReGrammer** – Download high res Instagram and Facebook photos.
These online downloaders are easy to use. Just copy and paste the photo URL and click Download. Some apps may ask you to sign in to your Facebook account to verify access.
Method 6: Use Facebook Desktop Apps
Facebook offers two desktop apps to download your photos:
**Facebook Moments**
Moments is Facebook’s own photo management app. After installing:
– Open Moments and sign in to your Facebook account.
– The app will import all your Facebook photos.
– You can bulk select and download the high resolution originals to your computer.
**Hootsuite**
The social media management platform Hootsuite has a Facebook photo downloader tool.
– Install the Hootsuite desktop app and add your Facebook account.
– Go to the Photos module and click Download Photos.
– Select the photos you want and download in high resolution.
Both of these desktop apps give you access to your Facebook photos so you can export high res copies to your computer.
Method 7: Use the Facebook Mobile App
You can also download high resolution photos using the Facebook mobile app for Android and iOS:
**Android**
– Open the Facebook app and go to a photo.
– Tap on the photo to open it full screen.
– Tap on the three dots at the top.
– Choose Download Photo.
– The high resolution file will get saved to your device.
**iOS**
– Go to the photo on the Facebook app and tap on it.
– Tap on the arrow icon at the bottom left.
– Select Original or Download.
– The high quality photo will get saved to your Camera Roll.
This provides an easy way to download Facebook photos on your phone or tablet. While the mobile app lacks some of the power user features of the desktop tools, it works well for quickly saving high resolution photos.
Method 8: Use the Facebook Cover Photo Tool
Facebook Cover Photos have specific high resolution sizes. Here is how to download cover photos:
Desktop Website:
– Go to your Profile and click on the Update Cover Photo button.
– Click on Choose from Photos to select an existing cover photo.
– Hover over the cover photo and click on the three dots icon.
– Select Download to download the high resolution original.
Mobile App:
– Go to your Profile on the Facebook app and tap on your Cover Photo.
– Tap on Change Cover from the options.
– Tap on the three dots icon at the top right corner.
– Choose Download to get the high res cover photo.
This will give you the full quality 851×315 pixels Facebook cover photo for printing or reuse.
Tips for Downloading High Resolution Facebook Photos
To ensure you always get the maximum version of photos on Facebook, keep these tips in mind:
Upload High Res Photos
Uploading photos that are already high resolution means that Facebook will store the maximum quality version. Avoid uploading small compressed photos from your phone’s camera roll.
Share Photos, Don’t Copy Links
When sharing your own photos on Facebook, use the upload photo option. Don’t simply copy and paste a URL to the photo from another site, as this will cause quality loss.
Save Photos ASAP
Download or save photos immediately after posting them or getting shared access. This prevents generation loss in case others screenshot and re-share your photos.
Keep Photos Private
Photos shared only with friends or as private retain higher resolution than public photos. So keeping albums private improves quality.
Avoid Editing on Facebook
Facebook’s built-in image editor compresses photos. Editing them before uploading avoids this compression.
Use Tools Repeatedly
The more familiar you become with the download techniques, the faster you can save high resolution copies of any Facebook photos.
Conclusion
It is possible to download high resolution photos from Facebook by using the platform’s built-in tools, browser extensions, online apps, or mobile apps. To get photos in their original size for printing, editing, sharing, and archiving, use the direct Facebook download options on desktop and mobile. This will ensure you get maximum image quality. Whenever you need to reuse a Facebook photo, go through these high resolution download methods rather than just saving the compressed version displayed on the site.