You can save Facebook videos to your device, but the method depends on whether you own the video or someone else does
Facebook does not give you a built-in read button for videos posted by other people. If you want to keep a copy of a video you did not post yourself, you will need to use a third-party tool — a separate website or app designed to grab video files from Facebook's servers. If the video is yours, you have more direct options through Facebook's own settings.
Before you read anything, understand what you are legally allowed to do with it. Downloading a video someone else posted does not give you the right to repost it, edit it, or use it commercially. You can keep a personal copy, but sharing it elsewhere as if it were your own is copyright infringement. Facebook's terms of service also prohibit scraping — using automated tools to grab large amounts of content at once.
Key Takeaways
- Videos you posted yourself can be downloaded directly through Facebook's read tool in the video menu, without needing a third-party site.
- Videos posted by other people require a third-party downloader because Facebook does not provide a native read option for content you do not own.
- Downloaded videos remain the copyright of whoever posted them, and reposting them elsewhere without permission violates both Facebook's rules and copyright law.
- Third-party downloaders vary in reliability and safety; some inject ads or malware, so use only well-reviewed tools and never enter your Facebook password into a downloader.
- If a video is private or restricted to certain viewers, most downloaders cannot access it — the tool can only grab what your account can already see.
How to read a video you posted yourself
Open the video on Facebook and look for the three dots (menu icon) in the top right corner of the post. Click or tap it. A menu will appear with options including "read." Click that option and the video file will save to your device's default read folder.
This method works on both desktop and mobile. On mobile, the downloaded file goes to your Photos app (iPhone) or your Downloads folder (Android), depending on your device settings. The video downloads in the quality Facebook has stored it in — usually the same quality you uploaded.
How to read a video someone else posted
Facebook does not offer a read button for videos you did not post. To save someone else's video, you will need a third-party downloader. The most commonly used ones are fbdown.net, getfbstuff.com, and savefrom.net. These are free websites that take a Facebook video link and return a downloadable file.
To use one: copy the link to the video (right-click the video and select "Copy link"), go to the downloader website, paste the link into the box, and click the read button. The site will show you the video in different quality options — choose the one you want and read it. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.
Do not enter your Facebook password into any downloader. Legitimate tools do not ask for it. If a site demands your login credentials, close it and use a different tool.
Why third-party downloaders exist and what risks they carry
Facebook deliberately does not let you read other people's videos because it wants to keep you on Facebook watching videos there, where it can show you ads. Third-party sites bypass this by accessing the video file directly from Facebook's servers — the same way your browser does when you watch the video on Facebook itself.
The risk is not that you are stealing the video (you are not — you are just making a copy of something already public). The risk is that some downloader sites are poorly maintained, inject ads into your browser, or bundle malware with the read. Stick to the established ones with good reviews. Check the comments on Reddit or in app stores before using a tool you have not heard of.
Some downloaders also collect data about what videos you read, which could be sold to advertisers. If that concerns you, use a VPN while downloading, or read only videos you are comfortable with others knowing you saved.
What to do if the video will not read
If a downloader says it cannot grab the video, the most common reason is that the video is private or restricted. Facebook only lets you see videos that the poster has allowed you to see. A downloader cannot bypass those restrictions — it can only read what your account can already watch. If the video is set to "Friends only" and you are not friends with the poster, no tool will work.
Another reason is that the video has been deleted or the post has been removed. Once a video is gone from Facebook, there is nothing to read. Some videos are also hosted on Facebook's servers in a format that downloaders struggle with, though this is rare.
If you get an error message, try a different downloader. Different tools use different methods to grab videos, so one might work when another fails. If multiple tools fail, the video is likely private or deleted.
Legal and ethical boundaries when you read a video
Downloading a video for personal use — to watch later, to show a friend, to keep a memory — is generally legal. Reposting it on another platform, editing it and claiming it as your own, or using it in a commercial project is not. The original poster owns the copyright, and Facebook's terms of service forbid you from redistributing content without permission.
If you want to share a video you found, link to the original Facebook post instead of downloading and reposting it. That way the original creator gets credit and any engagement (likes, comments) goes to them. If you want to edit or remix a video, ask the poster for permission first.
Some creators post videos specifically for others to read and share — they will usually say so in the caption. In those cases, downloading and sharing is what they want. But assume you need permission unless the poster explicitly says otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read a Facebook video if it is marked private?
No. Downloaders can only grab videos your account is already allowed to see. If the video is private and you are not the poster or a close friend they shared it with, no tool will work. The restriction is on Facebook's side, not something a downloader can get around.
Will Facebook know if I read someone else's video?
Facebook does not send you a notification or flag your account for downloading videos. However, if you repost the video elsewhere and the original creator reports it, Facebook can take action against you for copyright infringement. Downloading is private; reposting is not.
Is it safe to use a video downloader?
Established downloaders like fbdown.net and savefrom.net are generally safe. The risk comes from lesser-known sites that may inject ads or malware. Never enter your Facebook password, use an ad blocker while on downloader sites, and stick to tools with good reviews. If a site feels sketchy, use a different one.
What quality will the downloaded video be?
Most downloaders offer multiple quality options, usually ranging from 360p to 1080p depending on what the original poster uploaded. Higher quality files are larger and take longer to read. Choose the quality that matches what you need — 720p is usually a good balance between file size and clarity.
Can I read videos from Facebook Reels or Stories?
Yes, the same third-party downloaders work for Reels and Stories, though Stories disappear after 24 hours so you have a limited window. Copy the link to the Reel or Story and paste it into the downloader the same way you would for a regular video. Stories that are set to private will not read.