Facebook does not give everyone a simple "download" button. If you only want to keep a public video, Reel or photo for offline viewing, a browser-based video downloader is the quickest route. This guide shows the exact steps and the fixes for the problems people run into most.
Before you start: what can be saved
A link-based downloader only sees what any visitor can see. That means it works with public videos, Reels and photos. It cannot open private videos, content shared only with friends or inside private groups, or Stories. If you cannot watch the post while logged out, the downloader will not be able to fetch it either.
Step 1: Copy the Facebook video link
- Facebook app (iPhone or Android): tap Share under the video or Reel, then Copy link.
- Facebook on a computer: click the Share button and choose Copy link. If it is missing, right-click the post time stamp and copy the link address.
- Short links:
fb.watchlinks work as well, so you can paste them as they are.
Step 2: Paste it into SaveMedia
Open the Facebook video downloader, paste the link into the box and press Download. SaveMedia looks up the public file, shows a preview and a title, and gives you a download button. Check the preview first so you know it is the video you wanted.
Step 3: Save the file to your device
On iPhone (Safari)
Tap the download button, then tap Download when Safari asks. The file appears in Safari's download list and in the Files app under Downloads. To move it to your camera roll, open it in Files, tap the share icon and choose Save Video.
On Android (Chrome)
Tap the download button. Chrome saves the MP4 to your Downloads folder, and most gallery apps can show it from there.
On Windows or Mac
The browser saves the MP4 into your Downloads folder. Click the download notification in the browser toolbar to open it.
What quality should you expect?
SaveMedia returns the best file Facebook makes available for that public link. Facebook often provides an HD and an SD version; you receive HD when it exists. No downloader can improve a low-resolution upload, so a video that was uploaded in low quality will stay low quality.
Troubleshooting: when the download fails
- Check that the post is public. Open the link in a private or incognito window. If Facebook asks you to log in, the content is not public.
- Use the link of the video, not the profile or page. Use Share, then Copy link, directly on the video.
- Wait a minute and try again. Facebook changes its pages often, and a request that fails once sometimes succeeds on the next try. SaveMedia also limits how many requests one connection can make per minute.
- Live videos: wait until the stream has ended and the replay is posted publicly.
- Deleted or region-restricted videos cannot be fetched.
Use saved videos responsibly
Saving a video for personal, offline viewing is different from re-uploading it. Videos belong to their creators. Only reuse content you made, content you have permission to use, or content that is clearly licensed for reuse, and credit the creator when you share. See our Copyright Policy for details.