With billions of users across the globe, Facebook has become one of the most popular social media platforms for sharing photos, videos, and life updates. One of the key features that makes Facebook engaging is Stories – short ephemeral updates that disappear after 24 hours. Just like Instagram or Snapchat Stories, Facebook Stories allow you to share moments from your day without them permanently being on your profile.
If you see an interesting Facebook Story that you wish to save or download for later, there are a few different apps you can use. In this article, we will compare the top options for downloading Facebook Stories and help you decide which one is best.
Why Would You Want to Download Facebook Stories?
Here are some of the main reasons people look to download Facebook Stories:
- To save memorable or important Stories before they disappear
- To view Stories offline when you don’t have an internet connection
- To share Stories with friends through messaging apps or email
- To repost Stories on other social media platforms
- To archive funny or interesting Stories to look back on
Downloading gives you the flexibility to hang onto Facebook Stories you want to keep rather than having them automatically deleted after 24 hours. It also makes it easier to share Stories with friends or across platforms.
Can You Download Facebook Stories Directly on Mobile?
Unfortunately, there is no built-in option on the Facebook mobile app to download Stories. Facebook intentionally does not allow downloading as Stories are meant to be ephemeral. The only way to save Facebook Stories on your phone is by using third-party apps.
App Option 1: Story Saver for Facebook
Key Features
- Download Facebook Stories to your camera roll
- Save Stories as videos or images
- Private mode lets you hide saved Stories
- Free app with no ads
Story Saver is one of the most popular apps for downloading Facebook Stories with over 10 million downloads on Android. It’s simple to use – just search for a Facebook profile and you can see all their public Stories from the past 24 hours. Tap on any Story to download it as a video or photo.
The advantage of Story Saver is it stores the Stories directly in your camera roll rather than a separate app library. You can then easily share the Stories via text, email or other apps. Private mode lets you password protect the app and hide specific stories you download.
Downsides
- Only works for public Facebook profiles
- Requires you to log into Facebook each time
- Does not allow bulk downloading multiple Stories
Story Saver only lets you view and download Stories from public profiles, so you can’t access friends-only Stories. It also lacks the ability to select and download multiple Stories at once – you have to save each one individually.
App Option 2: FBDown
Key Features
- Save full resolution videos without compression
- Download Stories in the background
- Auto-detects private and public profiles
- Works for Facebook Pages too
FBDown markets itself as the “best Facebook video downloader” and provides a slick interface optimized for saving Stories. When you search for a profile, FBDown automatically detects if the Stories are public or private and only shows you what is accessible.
One advantage over competitors is the ability to download HD quality videos without compression. FBDown runs downloads in the background so you can multitask. The app is free but certain advanced features require a $2.99 weekly subscription.
Downsides
- Requires subscription for some features
- Contains ads
- Has user privacy concerns
The biggest drawback of FBDown is needing a subscription to unlock features like private account access and downloading longer videos. There are also occasional ads within the app interface. Some users have expressed concerns over FBDown’s handling of user data privacy and permissions.
App Option 3: Facebook Story Download
Key Features
- Completely free with no ads
- Access private and public Stories
- Save Stories anonymously
- Simple one-tap download
Facebook Story Download stands out for providing completely free access to all features with no ads or subscriptions. You can anonymously search for any profile and download both public and friends-only Stories with one tap. An incognito browser allows discreet saving without linking accounts.
Everything saves directly to your device storage rather than a separate library. The app is basic but efficient at bulk downloading multiple Stories at once both online and offline.
Downsides
- Requires entering Facebook credentials manually
- No video compression options
- User interface is a bit dated
Facebook Story Download requires you to manually enter your Facebook login each time instead of integrating seamlessly. It also lacks options for compressing or optimizing video downloads. The app design looks a bit dated compared to more modern interfaces.
Comparing the Main Differences
To summarize the key strengths of each Facebook Story downloader app:
| App | Key Pros | Key Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Story Saver | Saves directly to camera roll, private mode | Public profiles only, no bulk downloads |
| FBDown | HD quality videos, background downloading | Contains ads, privacy concerns |
| Facebook Story Download | Free access to all features, bulk downloads | Dated interface, requires manual login |
Conclusion: Best App for Downloading Facebook Stories
After comparing the top options, Facebook Story Download stands out as the best app for most users to download Facebook Stories.
The key advantages it offers are:
- Completely free access to private and public Stories
- Anonymous downloading without linking accounts
- Ability to bulk save multiple Stories easily
While the interface is a bit dated, the app delivers on the core functionality of letting you discretely save any Facebook Story you want for free. Advanced features some competitors offer like HD downloads or private libraries may appeal to certain users.
But for most people looking for a straightforward way to download Facebook Stories to view offline or share with friends, Facebook Story Download has the right balance of price, privacy and ease of use.
It avoids disruptive ads or subscriptions while providing reliable bulk downloading. As Facebook continues to boost its Stories feature, being able to save any Story to your device storage will only become more useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is downloading Facebook Stories illegal or against policy?
There is no law or Facebook policy prohibiting the downloading of Stories. Facebook intends Stories to be ephemeral, but does not explicitly ban saving them. Using third-party apps to download Stories for personal offline viewing is generally considered okay and allowed.
Do you need the profile owner’s permission to download their Story?
You do not need any special permission to download a public Story that is visible to everyone. However, it is good etiquette to ask the profile owner before saving friends-only Stories they have shared within a limited group.
How long do the downloaded Stories stay on your phone?
The downloaded Stories will remain saved in your phone’s storage until you choose to delete them. They will not automatically disappear after 24 hours like Stories still on Facebook. You have complete control over keeping or removing the Stories.
Can you download Facebook Stories anonymously?
Yes, most downloader apps allow you to browse and save Stories anonymously without linking or logging into a Facebook account. Facebook Story Download has a dedicated incognito mode that keeps your activity private while downloading.
Is there a limit on how many Stories you can download?
There is no technical limit on the number of Stories you can download. You are only limited by your device’s storage capacity. Apps like Facebook Story Download make it easy to bulk save as many Stories as you want in just a few taps.
Closing Thoughts on Downloading Facebook Stories
Facebook Stories offer an engaging way to share ephemeral life updates with your friends and followers. But there may be some you want to download to keep forever or share outside the app. A third-party downloader app provides the easiest way to save Facebook Stories to your smartphone.
Consider which features are most important to you – some apps optimize for privacy, others for bulk sharing. Facebook Story Download strikes the right balance for most users with its free and unlimited downloading. Saving Stories may require some extra steps compared to native Facebook viewing, but gives you more control and flexibility.
As Facebook continues to challenge Snapchat with its own Stories feature, downloading becomes more useful to manage all that temporary content. With billions of users globally getting accustomed to sharing casual Stories, the ability to save what matters has become vital.