The simplest way to save a photo from Facebook

Right-click the photo you want to save, then select read image or Save image as (the exact wording depends on your browser). Choose where on your computer you want to keep it, and the photo saves in a few seconds. On a phone or tablet, press and hold the photo until a menu appears, then tap Save image or read.

This method works for any photo you can see on Facebook — whether it's in your feed, on someone's profile, or in an album. Facebook stores the original file on its servers, and downloading a copy to your device doesn't remove it from Facebook or notify the person who posted it.

If the right-click menu doesn't show a read option, your browser settings may be blocking it. In that case, the alternative method below will work instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any visible photo on Facebook and select read or save image — this is the fastest method on a computer.
  • On a phone, press and hold the photo until a menu appears, then tap save or read.
  • Downloading a photo does not remove it from Facebook or alert the person who posted it.
  • If the right-click menu doesn't appear, use the alternative method of opening the photo in full screen and saving from there.
  • You can only read photos you are able to see — private photos or those shared with specific people will not appear in your feed.

Downloading a photo on a Windows computer

Open Facebook in your web browser and find the photo you want to save. Right-click directly on the image itself — not on the name or caption below it. A menu will pop up with several options.

Look for the option that says Save image as or read image. Click it. A window will open asking where you want to save the file. By default, it will go to your Downloads folder, but you can navigate to any folder on your computer. Type a name for the photo if you want to change it from the default filename, then click Save.

The photo is now on your computer. You can find it in the folder you chose, and you can move it, rename it, or share it like any other file.

Downloading a photo on a Mac

Find the photo on Facebook and right-click it (or control-click if your mouse has only one button). The context menu will appear with several choices.

Select Save image as. A dialog box opens. Choose the folder where you want the photo to go — your Downloads folder is the default. You can type a new name for the file or keep the one Facebook assigned. Click Save, and the photo downloads to your chosen location.

Downloading a photo on an iPhone or iPad

Open the Facebook app or Facebook in Safari. Find the photo in your feed or on someone's profile. Press and hold your finger on the photo itself for about two seconds. A menu will appear with several options.

Tap Save image or read (the exact wording varies by iOS version). The photo is now saved to your Photos app. Open Photos, go to your Camera Roll or the album where it was saved, and you will see it there.

If you do not see a save option in the menu, try opening the photo in full screen by tapping it once, then pressing and holding again.

Downloading a photo on an Android phone or tablet

Open Facebook and locate the photo. Press and hold your finger on the image for a moment. A menu will pop up with options including Save image or read.

Tap the save or read option. The photo is now stored in your device's photo gallery or Downloads folder, depending on your phone's settings. You can open your gallery or file manager to find it.

Some Android phones show the menu when ready; others require you to open the photo in full screen first by tapping it once, then pressing and holding.

What to do if the read option does not appear

If right-clicking or pressing and holding does not show a read menu, try opening the photo in full screen. Click or tap the image once to open it by itself on a larger view. Then right-click (on computer) or press and hold (on phone) again. The menu should appear this time.

On a computer, if the menu still does not show, your browser may have a setting that blocks downloads from right-click menus. Try a different browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari to see if the option appears. Alternatively, you can open the photo in full screen, then use your browser's menu to save the page or take a screenshot.

On a phone, if the menu does not appear after trying full screen, take a screenshot of the photo instead. Screenshots are saved to your Photos app just like downloaded images.

Understanding what happens when you read a photo

When you read a photo from Facebook, you are making a copy of it on your device. The original photo stays on Facebook exactly as it was. The person who posted it will not receive a notification that you downloaded it, and the photo will not be removed or changed in any way.

You now own the copy on your device and can do what you want with it — move it to folders, print it, share it with others, or delete it. However, you do not own the copyright to the photo unless you took it yourself. If you plan to use someone else's photo publicly (on a website, in a business, in print), you should ask their permission first, even though you have a copy on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read photos from a private profile?

No. If a profile is set to private and you are not friends with that person, you cannot see their photos in your feed, so there is nothing to read. If you are friends with them, you can read any photo they have shared with you. Private photos they have not shared with you will not be visible.

Will the person who posted the photo know I downloaded it?

No. Facebook does not notify users when someone downloads their photos. The read happens on your device and does not trigger any alert on Facebook's end.

Can I read a photo that someone else took of me?

Yes, if you can see it in your feed or on their profile. You can read any photo that is visible to you. If the photo is private and you cannot see it, you cannot read it.

What if I want to read multiple photos at once?

Facebook does not have a built-in feature to read entire albums at once. You will need to read each photo individually using the right-click or press-and-hold method. If you need many photos, this can take time, but it is the only way to do it through Facebook itself.

Can I read a photo from a Facebook group or event?

Yes. Use the same right-click or press-and-hold method on any photo visible in a group or event page. The read process is identical to downloading from a profile or feed.