How to Download a Facebook Video on iPhone and Android
Facebook does not provide a general “save video” button in its apps. The workaround is to copy the public post link and open it in a browser-based downloader. This guide covers the exact steps on Android and iPhone, where each system puts the file, and the cases where a download will fail no matter which tool you use.
The method below only works with public posts. A video visible to friends, a private group or the person who posted it is protected by Facebook’s access controls. fbsave.me does not ask for your password and cannot read those posts.
Before you start
- Open the video in Facebook and use Share → Copy link. Copying the address bar works on the desktop site but is less reliable in the mobile app.
- Check that the link opens in a private or incognito browser window without logging in. If it does, the post is public.
- Have enough free storage for the file. A long HD video can be several hundred megabytes; a short clip is much smaller.
On Android
- 1Open the public video in the Facebook app and tap Share → Copy link.
- 2Open Chrome (or your usual browser) and go to fbsave.me.
- 3Paste the link into the input box and wait for the video details to load.
- 4Choose Video, then pick the highest quality the source offers. The best option is limited by the original upload.
- 5Tap Download and wait for the file to be prepared.
- 6When the download prompt appears, tap Save. Chrome usually stores the file in Downloads.
Open your gallery or Files app and look for the Downloads folder. Most Android gallery apps index that folder automatically, but some require you to choose “Downloads” or “Internal storage” first. If the video does not appear, open the browser’s download list and tap the completed file once; that usually makes the media scanner pick it up.
If Chrome warns that the file type could harm your device, that is a generic warning for media downloads. The file is the video you requested, not an app. You can still verify it by playing it before moving it anywhere else.
On iPhone and iPad
Safari saves downloads into the Files app rather than directly into Photos. That extra step is normal, not a failure.
- 1In the Facebook app, tap Share on the public video and choose Copy link.
- 2Open Safari and go to fbsave.me. Paste the link into the box.
- 3Choose Video and the quality you want, then start the download.
- 4When the file is ready, tap Save file. Safari shows a download icon near the address bar.
- 5Open the downloaded MP4 from Files. Tap the Share icon and choose Save Video to add it to Photos.
If you do not see Save Video in the share sheet, scroll the app row and look for it under “More”. You can also keep the file in Files and play it from there; it does not have to be in Photos. Keeping large videos out of Photos can save iCloud storage, because Photos may try to sync them.
Reels and Stories
Public Reels use the same workflow: copy the Reel link, paste it, choose a quality and download the MP4. The file keeps its vertical framing. Stories are different: most `/stories/` links require a logged-in session, so a download service usually sees a login wall. For your own Stories, use Facebook’s Download Your Information export before the 24-hour window closes.
Quality and storage
The quality menu reflects what Facebook exposes for that video. If the creator uploaded in 720p, 1080p will not appear, and selecting a higher label would not add detail. For a clip you will watch once on a phone screen, a lower resolution is often indistinguishable and much smaller. For something you plan to edit, cast to a television or keep for years, choose the highest available option.
If the download fails
- The link will not load. Confirm the post is public in a private window. Deleted posts and friends-only videos return an error by design.
- The link points to a profile. Copy the link from the video itself, not from the account page. A profile URL does not identify a single video.
- Safari will not download. Check Settings → Safari → Downloads and make sure a save location is set. Also confirm the device has free space.
- The file plays without sound. The original post may have muted audio or used a music track that Facebook removed. The downloader cannot restore audio that is not in the source.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to install an app?
No. The workflow runs in the browser on both iPhone and Android. You only need a browser and a public link.
Why does the video save to Files instead of Photos on iPhone?
Safari downloads files to the Files app. Open the video there and use Share → Save Video to copy it into Photos.
Can I download a private Facebook video?
No. Private and friends-only posts are not accessible. Use Facebook’s “Download Your Information” export for your own private content.
Does the downloader add a watermark?
fbsave.me does not add one. If the creator included a watermark or on-screen text, it remains part of the video.
Once you have done it once, the routine is quick: copy the public link, paste it into the browser, choose a quality and move the file where you want it. Bookmark the page on your phone if you save videos regularly, and check the public/private status first when a link refuses to load.
Try fbsave.me
Paste a public Facebook link and choose the format you need. No account required.
Open the downloader