Facebook Stories allow users to share photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. While Stories are not downloadable by default, there are a few methods you can use to save someone else’s Facebook Story before it expires.
Why Download Someone’s Facebook Story?
There are a few main reasons you may want to download another user’s Facebook Story:
- To save a memory or special moment you want to keep
- To have a copy of something funny or interesting to share
- To archive something for personal or professional reasons
- To fact check or have a record of something that was posted
Of course, downloading others’ Stories without permission raises privacy concerns. Always get consent before saving someone else’s content. And be mindful of resharing – Stories are intended to be temporary.
Requirements for Downloading Facebook Stories
To download a Facebook Story, you’ll need:
- Access to the original Story – either posted by one of your Facebook friends or a public account you follow.
- A method to screen record or screenshot the Story on your device.
- An app or program to stitch together screenshots into a video (optional).
The Story must still be live – once it expires after 24 hours, it will no longer be available to view or download.
How to Download Facebook Stories on Mobile
The easiest way to download Facebook Stories is using your iPhone or Android phone:
- Open the Facebook app and go to the profile that posted the Story.
- Tap on the user’s Story bubble at the top of the screen.
- As the Story plays, use your phone’s screen recording feature to capture the video. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner to access Control Center, then tap the Screen Record icon. On Android, open Quick Settings and tap Screen Record.
- Let the screen recording run until the Story finishes. You should now have a video file of the full Story on your phone.
You can also download Stories on mobile by taking screenshots. Tap the screenshot button as the Story plays to capture each photo/video individually, then use an app like InShot to stitch the images together.
How to Download Facebook Stories on Desktop
To save a Facebook Story from your computer:
- Go to facebook.com and view the Story on the user’s profile.
- Use a screen recording program like QuickTime Player on Mac or the Game Bar on Windows 10 to capture the Story video.
- You can also take individual screenshots using your computer’s Snipping Tool or keyboard shortcut. For example, Command+Shift+3 on Mac.
- Compile the screenshots into a video using editing software like iMovie or Adobe Premiere Rush.
Third-Party Apps to Download Facebook Stories
Some third-party apps can also be used to save Facebook Stories:
- Story Saver for Facebook – Chrome extension that downloads Stories as videos.
- Story Savebox – Website that rips public and private Facebook Stories.
- FBDown – Website that downloads Facebook videos, including Stories.
However, be cautious when using third-party apps to download others’ content without permission. Stick to screen recording manually if possible.
Tips for Downloading Facebook Stories
Follow these tips for smoothly downloading Facebook Stories:
- Act fast – Stories only last 24 hours, so view and save them quickly.
- Screen record Stories in one take instead of taking individual screenshots.
- Make sure to capture the Story in full – don’t cut off the beginning or end.
- Download over WiFi for better quality videos.
- Try not to interrupt the screen recording until the Story ends.
- Edit and trim the video after downloading if needed.
Is Downloading Facebook Stories Legal?
The legality of downloading Facebook Stories depends on how you use the downloaded content:
| Use Case | Legality |
|---|---|
| Personal archiving | Likely legal for your own private use |
| Fact checking/investigating | Likely protected under fair use |
| Resharing publicly | Illegal without permission |
| Monetizing/selling content | Illegal without permission |
In general, downloading Stories just for yourself is okay. But reposting or profiting from saved Stories requires permission from the original poster.
Ethical Concerns
Even if legally in the clear, there are ethical issues to consider before downloading others’ Facebook content:
- Stories are intended to be temporary – resaving permanently violates expectations.
- Users own their own images and videos – reposting infringes on their copyright.
- Downloading private content is an invasion of privacy.
- Taking content out of context can be unethical.
- Profiting from others’ content is ethically questionable.
Always get consent from friends before downloading their Stories. And avoid resharing or commercial use without permission.
Facebook’s Policy on Downloading Stories
Facebook’s terms prohibit downloading user content without permission:
You cannot copy, modify, distribute, sell, or lease any part of the Services or portions thereof without our permission.
And their terms state:
Stories posted to Facebook disappear after 24 hours but aren’t encrypted or deleted in the same way as chats. Copies may remain on our servers for up to 90 days.
So Facebook officially disallows downloading Stories, though they acknowledge copies may persist temporarily on their servers.
Safe and Ethical Practices
When saving others’ Facebook Stories:
- Always get direct consent from the user.
- Explain why and how you intend to download their Story.
- Agree to not modify or reshare the content.
- Use for your own personal archives, not public posting.
- Delete any downloads immediately per the user’s request.
- Respect privacy and ownership of users’ content.
Following these practices ensures you download Stories safely, legally, and ethically.
Conclusion
Saving Facebook Stories requires screen recording or screenshots on mobile or desktop. Third-party apps provide other downloading options. While archiving Stories for personal use is likely okay, redistributing or monetizing requires permission. Always respect users’ expectations and get consent whenever possible to download responsibly.