How to Download a Facebook Video on Windows or Mac

On a computer, saving a public Facebook video can be done entirely in the browser. You do not need a desktop program or an extension. The larger screen makes it easier to confirm you have the right post, and the file is immediately available for editing, presenting or archiving.

The process is nearly identical on Windows and macOS. The differences are the keyboard shortcut for pasting and the folder where the browser saves the file.

On Windows

1. 1Open the public video in Chrome, Edge or Firefox. Click Share and choose Copy link. If you are on the video page, the address bar URL usually works too.
2. 2Open a new tab and go to fbsave.me.
3. 3Paste the link with Ctrl+V and wait for the preview.
4. 4Choose Video and the highest quality the source offers.
5. 5Click Download, then save the file when prompted.

By default the file goes to your Downloads folder, usually C:\Users\YourName\Downloads. You can open it there, move it into a project folder, or drag it into an editor. If the browser asks where to save, pick a folder you will remember.

On macOS

1. 1Open the public video in Safari, Chrome or Firefox and copy its link from the Share menu or address bar.
2. 2Go to fbsave.me in a new tab.
3. 3Paste with Cmd+V and wait for the preview.
4. 4Choose Video and a quality.
5. 5Click Download and save the file.

Safari shows a download indicator in the toolbar; click it to reveal the finished file in Finder. Chrome and Firefox use the Downloads folder as well. From there you can import the MP4 into iMovie, Final Cut, Premiere or DaVinci Resolve, or send it to another device with AirDrop.

Choosing a quality for a large screen

Computer monitors make compression more visible than phone screens do. Choose the highest resolution the source offers if you plan to edit, present or watch on a large display. If you only need a reference clip, a lower resolution is smaller and faster to download. The source remains the ceiling: a video uploaded in 720p will not gain detail at 1080p.

Editing and presentations

A downloaded MP4 is easier to use in an editor than a streaming page. You can trim it, adjust colour, extract audio or add captions without depending on a live connection. For a presentation, insert the local file rather than relying on Facebook to load during the talk. This removes the risk of a dropped connection, a login prompt or a post being removed.

Only edit and publish material you own or have permission to use. If you are quoting or commenting on someone else’s video, keep the excerpt proportionate and credit the creator. A download does not grant a licence.

Keeping the files organised

Downloads folders fill up quickly. Set the browser to ask where to save each file, or move finished videos into a dated project folder. Rename files with the topic and date instead of leaving the default string of numbers. If the footage matters, keep a second copy on an external drive or a backup service; a local download is only useful if you can find it later.

If the download fails

• The preview does not load. Confirm the post is public by opening the link in a private window. Private and deleted posts cannot be read.
• The wrong video appears. Copy the link from the video itself, not from a profile or feed page.
• The browser blocks the download. Check the download settings and allow downloads for fbsave.me, then retry one file at a time.
• The file will not play in an editor. The MP4 uses standard H.264/AAC in most cases. If an old editor refuses it, convert it with a current tool rather than assuming the download is corrupt.

Frequently asked questions