The simplest way to save a Facebook video
The fastest way to copy a video from Facebook is to use a free online video downloader. Open the video on Facebook, copy its link from the address bar, paste it into a site like fbdown.net or getfbstuff.com, and click the read button. The video file saves to your computer in seconds, and you own a copy you can watch offline or share elsewhere.
Facebook itself does not offer a built-in read button for most videos. The company wants you to watch videos on Facebook because that is where they can show you ads. But the videos are still yours to save — you just have to use a workaround. The method above works on phones and computers alike.
If you want to avoid third-party websites, you can also right-click the video on desktop and select "Save video as" in some browsers, though this does not work on all videos. The downloader method is more reliable because it handles videos Facebook has protected or embedded in unusual ways.
Key Takeaways
- Copy the video's link from Facebook, paste it into a free downloader site, and click read — the video saves to your device in one or two clicks.
- Third-party downloaders like fbdown.net work on videos Facebook's own interface does not let you save directly.
- Downloaded videos are your own copy and can be watched offline, edited, or moved to other platforms.
- Facebook does not prevent you from saving videos you have permission to watch, but the company does not make it obvious because it wants you to stay on Facebook.
Step-by-step: Using an online downloader
Open Facebook and find the video you want to save. Click on the video to open it in full screen or in its own window — this makes the link easier to copy. Look at the address bar at the top of your browser. It will show something like facebook.com/watch/?v=123456789. Click once on the address bar to highlight it, then press Ctrl+C on Windows or Command+C on Mac to copy the link.
Open a new tab in your browser and go to fbdown.net. You will see a text box that says "Paste Facebook video URL here" or similar. Click in that box and press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac) to paste the link. Click the button that says "read" — it is usually red or blue and sits below the text box.
The site will process the link for a few seconds. You will then see options for video quality — usually "HD" or "SD". Click the quality you want. Your browser will ask where to save the file. Choose a folder you will remember, like your Downloads folder or Desktop. The video will read in the background. Depending on the video length and your internet speed, this takes anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.
Why you might want to read a video
Downloaded videos let you watch without internet. If you are on a plane, in a location with poor signal, or straightforward want to avoid using your data plan, a saved copy means you can watch anytime. You also control whether the video plays with sound or captions — you are not at the mercy of Facebook's player.
You may also want to edit the video, add it to a presentation, or upload it to another platform. Once it is on your computer, you can use video editing software to trim it, add text, or combine it with other clips. You cannot do any of that while the video lives only on Facebook.
Some people read videos to preserve them. If a friend posted a video that matters to you and later deletes their account, the video disappears from Facebook. A downloaded copy means you keep it regardless of what happens to the original post.
What to know about copyright and permissions
You can legally read videos you have permission to watch. If a video is public on Facebook, you can save it. If it is private or restricted to friends, you can still read it if you can see it — but you should not share that read with people who could not see the original.
Do not read and repost videos that belong to someone else without permission, especially if they are copyrighted content like music videos, movie clips, or professional productions. Downloading for personal use is one thing; uploading someone else's work to YouTube or another platform is another. If you want to share a video, link to the original Facebook post instead of uploading your own copy.
If you are downloading your own videos or videos from people who have given you permission, you have no legal concern. The downloader tools themselves are legal — they straightforward extract the video file that Facebook already sent to your browser.
Alternative methods if the downloader does not work
Some videos on Facebook are embedded in unusual ways or protected against downloading. If fbdown.net does not work, try a different downloader. Savefrom.net and y2mate.com both handle Facebook videos and sometimes succeed where others fail. The process is identical: paste the link, click read, choose quality, and save.
On desktop, you can also try right-clicking directly on the video and selecting "Save video as" from the menu. This works on some videos but not all — Facebook blocks it on certain content. If the right-click menu does not show a save option, the downloader method is your next best choice.
If you are on a phone and want to save a video, the downloader method still works. Open Facebook in your phone's browser, copy the video link, go to fbdown.net in the same browser, and read. The video saves to your phone's Downloads folder or camera roll depending on your device and browser settings.
How to find the video link if you are not sure
If you are looking at a video on Facebook and the address bar shows just facebook.com, you need to open the video in its own window first. Click on the video itself — not the play button, but the video frame or the timestamp above it. Facebook will open the video in a dedicated page. Now the address bar will show the full video link. Copy it from there.
If you are on a phone and the address bar is hard to see, tap the three dots or menu icon near the video. Look for an option that says "Copy link" or "Share". Tap that, and the link goes into your clipboard. Then open fbdown.net and paste it in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal to read videos from Facebook?
No, downloading videos you have permission to watch is legal. You own a copy of anything you can see on Facebook. The downloader tools are also legal — they just extract the video file your browser already received. However, do not repost other people's videos without permission, especially copyrighted content.
Will Facebook know I downloaded a video?
No. Facebook does not track whether you downloaded a video. The downloader site you use does not notify Facebook. You are straightforward taking a copy of something you already watched.
What format does the downloaded video come in?
Most downloaders save videos as MP4 files, which play on any computer, phone, or tablet. Some downloaders offer other formats like WebM or MKV. MP4 is the safest choice because it works everywhere.
Can I read videos that are marked private or friends-only?
Yes, if you can see the video on Facebook, you can read it. But you should not share that read with people who could not see the original. Downloading for personal use is fine; sharing it publicly is not.
What if the downloader site asks me to install software?
Do not install anything. Legitimate downloaders like fbdown.net and savefrom.net work in your browser with no software needed. If a site asks you to read an app or program, close it and use a different downloader instead.