SLMtik

How to download Facebook videos and Reels

Facebook has a dozen different link formats. This guide shows which ones work, how to copy them on each device, and how to save the video in HD.

Updated November 2, 2026 · 6 min read · By the SLMtik team

How to download Facebook videos and Reels – illustration

Quick answer: Tap Share → Copy link on a public Facebook video or Reel, paste it into the Facebook video downloader, and choose HD or SD.

Facebook's own "Save video" button only adds the video to a list inside Facebook. To keep a copy on your phone or computer, or to watch it offline on a plane, you need the actual MP4 file.

Which videos can be downloaded

  • Videos posted publicly by Pages, creators and public profiles
  • Facebook Reels set to Public
  • Videos in public groups
  • Ended live streams that were saved as a public video

Videos shared with "Friends", in private groups, or in Messenger chats are not reachable. That is a privacy feature, not a bug.

How to copy the link

  • Facebook app: tap Share under the video, then Copy link. On Reels, the Share arrow is on the right side.
  • Browser: click the video's date or time stamp to open it on its own page, then copy the address bar. Links such as facebook.com/watch/?v=, facebook.com/reel/ and fb.watch/ all work.

Download it

Paste the link into the Facebook video downloader, or the Facebook Reels downloader for vertical clips. Choose HD for watching on a big screen, or SD for a smaller file you can send in a chat.

HD versus SD on Facebook

Facebook keeps two versions of most videos. HD is usually 720p or 1080p; SD is around 360p to 480p and often a quarter of the size. If only SD appears, the uploader's original was low resolution or Facebook has not finished processing it yet. Try again an hour after a new post.

Saving to your gallery

On iPhone, open Files → Downloads, tap the video, then Share → Save Video. On Android the file appears in Gallery automatically. On a computer, drag it from Downloads wherever you like.

Audio only

Want a speech, sermon or song from a Facebook video? Choose MP3 in the downloader and you get just the sound, which is much smaller and plays in any music or podcast app.

If it fails

  1. Open the link in a private window. If Facebook asks you to log in to see it, the video is not public.
  2. Copy the link from the video itself, not from a post that shares it. Shared posts sometimes point to the wrapper, not the video.
  3. Remove extra tracking parts after a ? in the link if the tool says it is invalid.

Keep reading

Frequently asked questions

Can I download Facebook videos on iPhone?

Yes, in Safari. The MP4 goes to the Files app, and from there you can save it to Photos.

Can I download private Facebook videos?

No. Videos shared only with friends or in private groups are not accessible to any outside tool.

Is there a length limit?

Long videos work, but files over an hour can take a while to start. Use SD if your connection is slow.

Can I download a Facebook live stream?

Only after it ends and is saved as a public video on the page.

Ready? Paste your link and save it.

Open the downloader