Found a Facebook video you want to watch again or save to your phone?

First decide what you mean by “save”. Facebook’s Save video option usually adds a bookmark inside Facebook; it does not automatically put a video file in your phone’s gallery. To get a file, use a download option Facebook offers for content you are allowed to save, or ask the creator for a copy.

For your own videos, Facebook provides download or information-export options in some cases. What appears depends on when and how the video was posted, your account and the app version. Do not enter your Facebook password into a random download website.

Save a video inside Facebook for later

If you simply want to find a useful recipe, interview or tutorial again, bookmarking may be enough.

Open the Facebook app and find the post or reel.
Tap the three dots or other options button on the post.
Choose Save video, Save reel or the available save option.
To find it later, open Facebook’s menu and look for Saved. You may also be able to place it in a collection.

Facebook’s saved video help explains the feature. The wording can differ between Facebook and Facebook Lite.

A saved item can disappear from your list or stop playing if its owner deletes it, changes the audience or removes your access. You will usually still need a connection and permission to view it. Saving it in Facebook does not give you the right to upload someone else’s video elsewhere.

Download a reel you posted

If the video is your own, open your profile or Page and find the reel. Tap its options menu and look for Download reel or a similar choice. If it is offered, follow the prompt and then check the phone’s gallery or downloads folder.

Facebook’s help for downloading your own reels says options depend on the content and when it was posted. Music or other licensed material may affect what is included in a downloaded copy. Read any notice displayed before you save it.

If the option is missing, confirm that you are signed in to the account that posted the reel. A video posted by someone else, a different profile or an older video may have different controls. Do not assume that an option shown in a tutorial will appear on every device.

Find the original file on your phone

Before looking for a downloader, check your gallery and file manager. If you recorded the video yourself, the original may still be in the camera folder, an editing app’s export folder or a backup service. That file may have better quality than a copy downloaded after uploading.

On Android, open your Gallery or Photos app and check the video albums. You can also open Files, then inspect Movies, Camera or Downloads. On iPhone, check the Photos app and the Files app. Folder names vary by device and by the app used to record or edit.

Do not delete the original until you have opened a backup and confirmed that it is complete. Our guide to backing up phone photos and videos covers how to check an upload before removing device copies.

Export a copy of your Facebook information

If you cannot find a single-video download option, Facebook lets you request an export of supported account information. The process is intended for information connected to your own profile, not for collecting every video posted by other people.

Open Facebook’s settings and look for Accounts Center, then the section for your information and permissions. Choose the option to export or download your information and follow the prompts for the profile, information, date range and destination. The exact menu can change, so use Facebook’s export instructions if you cannot find it.

A large export can take time to prepare and use substantial storage and mobile data. If the controls let you narrow the selection, request only what you need. The resulting archive can contain private account information, so download it to a trusted device and keep the file secure.

An export may contain information in folders or formats that need a file manager to open. Check the contents before deleting anything from Facebook. Not all deleted or unavailable content can be recovered through an export.

What about someone else’s video?

Look for a download option that the creator and platform make available. If there is none and you need a copy for a legitimate purpose, ask the creator to send the original or give permission and an appropriate download link.

A video being publicly viewable does not automatically mean it is free to copy or repost. Permission, copyright, privacy and the platform’s rules all matter. Even with permission, check whether the clip includes other people’s faces, private information or licensed music before sharing it.

If you only need to direct someone to the video, use Facebook’s Share or Copy link option. The recipient can open it if the original audience settings allow them to see it. Sending a link does not guarantee access to a private post.

Avoid risky downloader sites

Be cautious of a page that asks for your Facebook password, a one-time code, payment card details or permission to install an unknown app just to save a video. A genuine-looking login box can be used to steal an account. Our fake website guide explains how to check a destination.

Browser pop-ups may claim you need to install a “video player” or turn off security protection. Close the page instead of following those instructions. A site with a padlock is not automatically trustworthy.

If you entered your password on a suspicious page, use a trusted device to change it through the real Facebook app or website. Review your login sessions and follow our Facebook account recovery guide if you cannot sign in.

If the video will not save or play

Check your connection and available phone storage. Update Facebook through the official app store if an update is available, then reopen the video. If the owner has removed the post or you no longer have permission to view it, refreshing the app will not restore access.

For a downloaded file, check the Downloads folder as well as your gallery. Some file managers need a moment to show a new file. If a download stopped halfway, remove the incomplete copy only after confirming it is not the version you need, then retry an available official option.

Finally, open the saved copy and check both picture and sound. That is the easiest way to find out whether you have a usable file rather than only a Facebook bookmark.