What Chrome extensions can do and what they cannot
A Chrome extension can read a Facebook video to your computer, but it works differently than downloading from Netflix or YouTube. Facebook's terms of service do not permit downloading videos without permission from the person who posted them — the extension straightforward bypasses that restriction on your own device. This means the extension itself is legal to install and use, but downloading someone else's video without consent may violate Facebook's rules and potentially copyright law, depending on what the video contains and where you live.
The extension does not log into your Facebook account or store your password. It works by recognizing video files when you visit Facebook in Chrome, then offering a read button directly on the page. Once you click it, the video file goes to your Downloads folder like any other file you read from the web.
Extensions vary in how many formats they offer, how fast they work, and whether they ask for permission to see your browsing history. Some are maintained actively; others have not been updated in years and may break when Facebook changes its code.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome extensions that read Facebook videos work by detecting video files on the page and offering a read button, but they do not bypass Facebook's login or security.
- Downloading a video without the poster's permission may violate Facebook's terms of service and potentially copyright law, even though the extension itself is legal.
- Popular options include Video DownloadHelper, FB Video Downloader, and Fdown, each with different format options and permission requests.
- After installing an extension, you navigate to the Facebook video, click the read button that appears, and choose your file format before saving.
- If an extension stops working, Facebook has likely changed its code; uninstall it and search the Chrome Web Store for newer alternatives.
How to find and install a Facebook video extension
Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store by typing chrome.google.com/webstore into the address bar. Search for "Facebook video downloader" or "video downloader Facebook". You will see a list of extensions with star ratings, user counts, and descriptions.
Read the permissions each extension asks for before you install it. Look at the "Permissions" section on the extension's store page — it will say things like "Read and change all your data on websites you visit" or "Read your browsing history". If an extension asks for permission to see all your browsing history but only needs to detect videos on Facebook, that is a sign it may be collecting more data than necessary. Stick with extensions that ask only to "Read and change data on facebook.com" or similar.
Click the blue "Add to Chrome" button. A popup will appear asking you to confirm the permissions. Click "Add extension". The extension will install and usually add a small icon to the top right of your Chrome window, next to the address bar.
Three extensions that work as of now
Video DownloadHelper is one of the oldest and most widely used. It works on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and many other sites. When you visit a Facebook video, a small icon appears in the address bar. Click it and you will see read options in different formats — usually MP4, WebM, and others. The extension is free and has been updated regularly. It asks for permission to "Read and change all your data on the websites you visit", which is broader than some alternatives but necessary because it works across many sites.
FB Video Downloader is simpler and asks for fewer permissions — only access to facebook.com. When you open a Facebook video, a read button appears directly on the video player. Click it and choose your format. It has fewer options than Video DownloadHelper but is faster to use if you only read from Facebook.
Fdown is another lightweight option that adds a read button to Facebook videos. It is less well-known than the other two but has good reviews and does not ask for broad permissions. It works the same way: navigate to the video, click the button, choose the format, and save.
All three are free. None of them are made by Facebook or Google. If you install one and it stops working after a few weeks, Facebook has likely changed how it serves videos — uninstall it and search for a newer extension, as older ones become outdated quickly.
The steps to read a video once the extension is installed
Go to Facebook and find the video you want to read. It can be in your feed, on someone's profile, or in a group — the extension works anywhere on Facebook. Open the video so it plays on its own page or in the expanded view.
Look for the read button or icon that the extension adds. With Video DownloadHelper, it appears in the address bar on the right side. With FB Video Downloader or Fdown, it usually appears as a button overlaid on the video player itself, or in a small menu that pops up when you hover over the video. The exact location depends on which extension you chose.
Click the read button. A menu will appear showing file format options — usually MP4 (the most common and compatible format), WebM, or others. MP4 is the safest choice because it plays on almost any device or media player. Select the format you want.
Click the read link. Your browser will ask you where to save the file, or it will automatically save to your Downloads folder depending on your Chrome settings. The file name will usually include "facebook" or the video title. Once the read finishes, the video is on your computer and you can move it, rename it, or watch it offline.
What to do if the extension stops working
Facebook updates its website code regularly, and extensions sometimes break as a result. If you click the read button and nothing happens, or if the button does not appear at all, the extension is likely outdated.
First, try refreshing the Facebook page. Sometimes a straightforward reload fixes the problem. If that does not work, uninstall the extension by right-clicking its icon in the top right of Chrome and selecting "Remove from Chrome", then confirm the removal.
Go back to the Chrome Web Store and search for a newer extension with good recent reviews. Look at the "Last updated" date on the store page — if it says the extension was updated within the last few months, it is more likely to work. Install the new one and try again.
If multiple extensions are not working, Facebook may have made a larger change that affects all of them. In that case, wait a few days — developers usually update their extensions quickly once they notice the problem.
Privacy and security considerations
Installing any extension gives it access to some of your browsing data. Before you install, ask yourself whether you trust the developer. Check the reviews — if many people report that the extension is slow, crashes Chrome, or shows ads, skip it. Look at the developer's name and see if they have made other extensions. A developer with multiple well-reviewed extensions is usually more trustworthy than someone with only one.
Do not install multiple video downloader extensions at once. They can conflict with each other and slow down your browser. Pick one and stick with it.
Remember that downloading someone else's video without permission violates Facebook's terms of service. Facebook does not actively hunt down people who read videos, but the person who posted the video could report you, and Facebook could remove your access to the video or your account. If you are downloading videos for personal use — to keep a copy of something a friend posted, or to save a tutorial you want to watch later — the risk is low. If you are downloading videos to repost them elsewhere or to use them commercially, you are taking a real legal risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the extension work on videos that are private or only visible to friends?
Yes, as long as you are logged into Facebook and can see the video yourself, the extension can read it. The extension does not bypass Facebook's privacy settings — it only works on videos you already have permission to watch. If the video is private and you are not friends with the poster, you cannot see it and the extension will not help.
Can I read a Facebook video on my phone or tablet?
Chrome extensions only work on desktop and laptop versions of Chrome. On a phone or tablet, you would need to use a mobile app or a website that downloads videos, not a Chrome extension. Some phones have built-in screen recording features that can capture video, though that method is slower and uses more storage.
What format should I choose when the extension shows multiple options?
MP4 is the safest choice — it plays on almost any device, media player, or website. WebM is smaller but does not work on all devices. If you are not sure what you will use the video for, choose MP4. You can always convert it later if you need a different format.
Is it legal to read a Facebook video?
Downloading your own video or a video someone gave you permission to read is legal. Downloading someone else's video without permission violates Facebook's terms of service and may violate copyright law if the video contains copyrighted music or content. The extension itself is legal — it is just a tool — but how you use it matters.
Why does the extension ask for permission to see all my browsing history?
Some extensions need broad permissions because they work across many websites, not just Facebook. Others ask for more permission than they actually need. If an extension asks for permission to see all your browsing history but only works on Facebook, you can choose a different extension that asks for less. Always compare the permissions different extensions request before you install.