How do I download reels and short videos from Facebook?

Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms, with billions of users worldwide. A big part of Facebook’s appeal comes from the ability to share photos, videos, and other multimedia content. Over the years, Facebook has introduced new formats for video content, including Reels and short videos. Many users want to know how they can download these videos to view offline or share on other platforms.

Fortunately, downloading Reels and short videos from Facebook is easy and straightforward. There are a few different methods you can use, depending on your preferences. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the various options for downloading Reels and short videos from Facebook.

Why Download Facebook Videos?

Here are some of the main reasons you may want to download Reels or short videos from Facebook:

• To watch when you don’t have an internet connection – Having the videos saved offline allows you to view them anytime, anywhere.
• To share on other platforms -Downloading makes it easy to re-share videos on apps like WhatsApp or Telegram.
• To archive memorable videos – You can create a library of saved videos to look back on.
• To edit or remix -Downloading gives you the original file to edit using video editing apps.

Keep in mind that you should only download videos you have the right to use. Avoid re-sharing others’ content without permission.

Method 1: Using Facebook Video Downloader Tools

The easiest way to download Facebook videos is to use an online Facebook video downloader tool. Here are some of the top options:

SaveFrom.net Video Downloader

SaveFrom.net is a popular free online video downloader that works for Facebook Reels and short videos. Here are the steps:

1. Go to the Facebook video post you want to download.
2. Copy the URL of the video post.
3. Go to SaveFrom.net’s Facebook video downloader site.
4. Paste the video URL into the box.
5. Click “Download” and select the video quality you prefer.
6. After a short processing time, the video will download to your computer.

The benefit of using SaveFrom.net is that it’s fast, easy, and doesn’t require installing any software. However, the site may become overloaded and go down during periods of heavy usage.

FBDown.net Facebook Video Downloader

FBDown.net is another free online tool for downloading Facebook videos. Here is how it works:

1. Go to the Facebook video you want to save.
2. Copy the URL from the address bar.
3. Go to the FBDown.net site and paste the video URL.
4. Click “Download” and pick a video quality.
5. After processing, the video file will download to your device.

FBDown.net offers the ability to select video formats like MP4, AVI, and more. However, the site has download limits and ads.

Other Facebook Video Downloader Tools

Here are a few other downloader tools to consider:

• SaveMedia – Runs fully in your browser with no software downloads needed.
• Video Keeper – Supports downloading multiple Facebook videos at once.
• SnapSave – Simple tool requiring only a video URL to download.

The process is essentially the same across these tools – copy the video URL, paste it into the tool, and download. Just pick the option that works best for your needs.

Method 2: Use a Browser Extension Downloader

Another handy option is using a browser extension video downloader. These add download functionality directly within your browser. Here are top choices:

Nimbus Capture (Chrome)

Nimbus Capture is a powerful Chrome extension for capturing screenshots, recordings, and downloading videos. Here’s how to use it for Facebook:

1. Install the Nimbus Capture extension in Chrome.
2. Go to the Facebook video post.
3. Click the Nimbus Capture extension icon.
4. Select “Video Capture” to record the video.
5. Customize capture options like quality and length.
6. Click “Capture” to download the video file.

Nimbus Capture allows instant downloading without leaving Facebook. However, capturing long videos takes time.

Video DownloadHelper (Firefox)

Video DownloadHelper is a popular Firefox extension for downloading videos. To use it:

1. Install Video DownloadHelper in Firefox.
2. Go to the Facebook video you want to save.
3. The extension will detect the video and show a download icon.
4. Click the icon and select download options.
5. Video DownloadHelper will save the video file to your computer.

Video DownloadHelper makes downloading easy across many sites. But it may not work on some videos due to Facebook restrictions.

Other Browser Extensions

There are a few other good browser extension options, including:

• MaxTube – Downloads videos from Facebook and YouTube.
• FLVto – Supports many sites and video formats.
• EagleGet – Easy-to-use video and music downloader.

The benefit of extensions is convenience, as downloading requires minimal navigation away from Facebook.

Method 3: Download Using a Desktop App

For frequent Facebook video downloads, a desktop app is worth considering. These give you robust download management features. Here are some top choices:

4K Video Downloader

4K Video Downloader is one of the most popular apps for downloading videos. It works great for Facebook. To use it:

1. Download and install 4K Video Downloader.
2. Launch the app and click the “Paste Link” button.
3. Paste the link to the Facebook video post and click “Add Link”.
4. Select the video quality and settings.
5. Click the download icon to save the video.

4K Video Downloader makes it easy to customize quality, subtitles, filenames, and more. But the free version lacks some features.

WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe

WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe is a versatile paid app for video downloading and conversion. To download from Facebook:

1. Download and install WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe.
2. Launch the app and click the + “Download” button.
3. Paste the Facebook video URL and click “OK”.
4. Select the video format and quality to download.
5. Click “Download” to save the video file.

WinX makes it easy to convert to optimized file formats after downloading. But it’s not free.

Other Desktop Apps

Some other apps that enable Facebook video downloads:

• Free Studio – Supports 500+ sites with conversion tools.
• aTube Catcher – Downloads videos and music from many platforms.
• Digiarty WinXDVD – Paid app with advanced video editing features.

Desktop apps provide robust functionality for frequent Facebook video download needs.

Method 4: Use the Facebook Mobile App

The Facebook mobile app also offers built-in tools for saving videos. Here’s how to use them:

iOS App

To download videos within the Facebook iOS app:

1. Launch the Facebook app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Navigate to the video post you want to download.
3. Tap the three-dot menu button in the upper right corner.
4. Select “Save Video”.
5. The video will now save to your Photos app.

This provides easy access on iOS, but only saves to your local device storage.

Android App

On Android devices, you can download Facebook videos by:

1. Opening the Facebook app on your Android phone or tablet.
2. Going to the video post.
3. Tapping the three-dot menu button.
4. Choosing “Save video”.
5. The video will download locally to your device files.

Again, this only saves videos to internal device storage. But it avoids installing extra apps.

Things to Know

When using the mobile apps:

• Video quality may be lower than HD.
• Length is limited to 1-2 minutes for Reels.
• Saving videos is restricted on some accounts.
• Videos get saved to device-only, not the cloud.

Overall though, the first-party apps provide a quick and easy way to grab videos on mobile devices.

Method 5: Download from a Computer Web Browser

Modern web browsers also have tools to save content like videos from Facebook. Here are some options:

Google Chrome

On Google Chrome desktop browser, you can download Facebook videos by:

1. Going to the video post in Chrome.
2. Right clicking the video.
3. Selecting “Save video as…”.
4. Choosing a save location on your computer.
5. Clicking save to download the video file.

This leverages Chrome’s built-in functionality without installing extensions. But video formats are limited.

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox also allows downloading videos by:

1. Visiting the Facebook video post.
2. Right clicking on the playing video.
3. Choosing “Save Video As”.
4. Selecting a folder location.
5. Clicking “Save” to download the video.

Like Chrome, Firefox provides simple video downloading from Facebook without addons. But quality options are restricted.

Microsoft Edge

On Microsoft Edge, you can save Facebook videos by:

1. Going to the video post in Edge.
2. Clicking the three-dot menu button.
3. Selecting “Save video as”.
4. Choosing a destination folder.
5. Clicking save to download the video file.

Edge also makes it straightforward to grab videos through the built-in browser options. File format support varies.

Choosing the Best Download Method

All of the methods above can successfully download Facebook videos. Which option you choose depends on your specific needs:

• Downloader tools – Best for quick, easy downloads without software installs.
• Browser extensions – Ideal for convenience within your browser.
• Desktop apps – Allow advanced download management and controls.
• Mobile apps – Great for on-the-go access on smartphones/tablets.
• Browser saving – Simple but limited in quality and format options.

Evaluate each approach and decide what works best for your requirements.

Tips for Downloading Facebook Videos

Here are some handy tips to get the most out of downloading Facebook Reels and short videos:

• Copy video URLs directly from posts for reliable downloads.
• Test tools before committing to an option to ensure they work.
• Download the highest available quality for best results.
• Restart failed or stalled downloads to retry retrieving the full video.
• Avoid re-sharing other users’ content without permission.

Following these tips will help optimize the process and quality of saving Facebook videos.

Conclusion

Downloading Reels, short videos, and other videos from Facebook is simple with the range of options available today. From dedicated downloader tools to built-in browser and app capabilities, there are many straightforward methods to save videos. Consider factors like convenience, quality, file formats, and more when deciding the best approach for your needs. With the right technique, you can easily archive memorable videos and enjoy Facebook content offline.