How to Download Facebook Videos on PC and Mac
To download a Facebook video on a PC or Mac, copy the video’s URL from your browser’s address bar, paste it into FbVideoDownloader and click Download next to a quality — the MP4 saves to your Downloads folder. You don’t need a browser extension, desktop software or a Facebook login.
Below: the steps, how each browser handles the file, which quality to pick and when a Chrome extension is worth installing.
How Do You Download a Facebook Video on a PC or Mac?
You download a Facebook video on a computer by pasting its link into an online downloader; the steps are the same on Windows and macOS.
- Open the video on facebook.com and copy the URL from the address bar — or click Share and choose Copy link.
- Open the free online Facebook video downloader in a new tab and paste the link (Ctrl+V on Windows, ⌘+V on a Mac).
- Click Download to see every file Facebook has for that video.
- Click Download next to a quality. The MP4 saves to your Downloads folder.
Every public link format works, including facebook.com/watch/?v=…, facebook.com/reel/…, facebook.com/share/v/… and fb.watch links. Saving to a phone instead? Follow the Android guide or the iPhone guide.
How Do Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari Save Facebook Videos?
All major browsers download Facebook videos the same way; only the place where finished downloads appear differs.
Google Chrome
Chrome shows the file under the downloads icon in its toolbar. Ctrl+J on Windows, or the menu → Downloads on a Mac, opens the full list.
Microsoft Edge
Edge, the default browser on Windows, shows a downloads panel in its toolbar; Ctrl+J opens it too.
Mozilla Firefox
Firefox shows a download arrow in its toolbar; click it to open the video or its folder.
Safari on Mac
Safari lists downloads behind the arrow button in its toolbar, or press ⌘+Option+L. If a video plays instead of saving, Control-click the Download button and choose Download Linked File.
Which Facebook Video Quality Plays Best on Windows and macOS?
The HD MP4 with sound — usually 720p, with H.264 video and AAC audio — plays on every PC and Mac; the 1080p, 1440p and 4K files look sharper but need a player that supports AV1.
Those resolutions appear only when the video was uploaded in that quality. FbVideoDownloader joins Facebook’s separate picture and sound tracks on its server without re-encoding, so you get one MP4 with sound. Because these files use AV1:
- Windows 11 plays them, as do Chrome, Edge, Firefox and VLC.
- Windows 10 may need the free “AV1 Video Extension” from the Microsoft Store.
- Older Macs may not play AV1 in QuickTime Player — use VLC or the 720p file.
The guide to HD, 1080p and 4K downloads explains why a 720p upload never has a real 4K version. For sound only, save the M4A soundtrack or use the FB to MP3 converter.
Where Are Downloaded Facebook Videos Saved on PC and Mac?
Downloaded Facebook videos are saved in your user account’s Downloads folder on Windows and macOS, unless you changed the download location in your browser.
- Windows: open File Explorer and click Downloads in the left pane.
- macOS: open Finder and choose Downloads in the sidebar.
Browsers let you pick another folder, or ask each time, in their download settings. The file is a standard MP4 with no watermark added, so it opens in VLC, QuickTime Player or any video editor.
Online Downloader, Chrome Extension or Desktop Software: Which Is Best?
For most people an online downloader is the best choice on a computer: no installation and no permissions. An extension or desktop program only pays off if you save videos constantly.
| Feature | Online tool (FbVideoDownloader) | Browser extension | Desktop software |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | None | Yes, per browser | Yes |
| Access it needs | Only the link you paste | Reads the pages you visit | Runs with access to your computer |
| Works on Windows and Mac | In any browser | Only in supported browsers | Depends on the program |
| Works on phones too | Yes | Rarely | No |
| Cost | Free | Varies | Varies |
A Facebook video downloader Chrome extension adds a button next to videos, saving the copy-and-paste step. The trade-off is access: to find videos, an extension needs permission to read the sites you visit. Some downloader extensions have been pulled from the stores or started injecting ads after an update, and desktop programs carry the usual risks of software from an unknown publisher.
For a full checklist, see what to check before you use a Facebook video downloader.
What If a Facebook Video Won’t Download on Your Computer?
If a Facebook video won’t download on a PC or Mac, check its privacy setting first, then the age of the download link and how your browser handles the file.
- “Not public” message: friends-only, “Only me”, custom-audience and private-group videos can’t be downloaded by any online tool — see whether private Facebook videos can be downloaded. Your own videos can be exported with “Download your information” in Accounts Center.
- Video opens in a new tab: right-click Download and choose Save link as (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) or Download Linked File (Safari).
- Button stopped working: download links expire after a few hours, so paste the link into the FB video downloader again.
- No picture or playback: it’s an AV1 file — use VLC, add the AV1 Video Extension on Windows 10 or choose 720p.
- Live video: wait for the broadcast to end.
More error messages and fixes are in Facebook Video Downloader Not Working? 9 Fixes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Facebook account to download videos on a computer?
No. FbVideoDownloader never asks you to log in, and public videos download without an account.
Can I download Facebook videos on a Chromebook?
Yes. The steps are the same in Chrome, and the video appears in the Files app under Downloads.
Can I edit a downloaded Facebook video?
Yes. The MP4 opens in video editors on Windows and macOS; if yours can't import the AV1 file, use the 720p H.264 file. Reuse only videos you own or have permission to use.
Is it free to download FB videos on PC and Mac?
Yes. FbVideoDownloader is free in any browser on Windows or macOS, with no sign-up and no watermark added.