Best Facebook Video Downloaders 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I download a Facebook video from a link?▾

Open the video on Facebook, use the Share or three-dot menu to copy the post link, then paste it into a downloader such as getfvid, FDown, or SnapSave and choose a quality. For anything a web tool refuses, the open-source yt-dlp downloads Facebook videos at full available resolution from the command line. All of these only work with publicly visible posts.

Can I download Facebook videos in HD?▾

Only if the uploader posted an HD version. Most link-based downloaders offer both an SD and an HD button, and the HD option pulls the higher-resolution source when Facebook has one. Older uploads and low-quality re-shares may only exist in SD, in which case no tool can create detail that was never there.

Why won't the downloader open my Facebook video?▾

The most common reason is that the post is private, from a private group, or restricted by age or region, and public downloaders cannot reach it. Facebook also changes its page structure often, which temporarily breaks web tools until they update. If a link fails, confirm the post is public and try yt-dlp, which is updated frequently.

Is it legal to download videos from Facebook?▾

It depends on the video and how you use it. Downloading your own videos, or content you have permission to save, is generally fine. Downloading someone else's copyrighted video without permission, and especially redistributing it, can infringe copyright and typically violates Facebook's terms of service, which restrict downloading content through unofficial means. Saving a public video for genuine personal, offline viewing sits in a grayer area but still may breach the platform's terms. The safe approach is to download only your own content or material you have clear rights to, respect creators' ownership, and never repost or monetize downloaded videos without permission. When in doubt, seek the creator's consent.

Can I download private Facebook videos?▾

These tools generally work only with public videos, and downloading private content raises clear privacy and permission problems. Private videos are shared with limited audiences under an expectation of privacy, so saving or redistributing them without the owner's consent is both a breach of that trust and potentially of Facebook's terms, and depending on the content and context, could have legal implications. If you want a copy of a private video, the appropriate route is to ask the person who posted it to share it with you directly. Downloaders are intended for accessible public content, and attempting to capture private videos through unofficial means is something to avoid on both ethical and terms-of-service grounds.

Are Facebook video downloaders safe to use?▾

Reputable ones can be, but caution is warranted because this category attracts low-quality and malicious sites. Risks include intrusive ads, misleading download buttons, requests to install questionable software, and sites that may expose you to malware. To stay safer, use well-known tools, avoid any that ask you to install browser extensions or software you did not seek, do not enter login credentials into a downloader (a legitimate one never needs your Facebook password), and keep your device's security protections active. Prefer tools that simply take a public video URL and return a file without demanding permissions. As with any free online tool, stick to established, trustworthy options and be skeptical of aggressive prompts.