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How to Download Facebook Videos on PC & Mac

If you have been wondering how to download a video from Facebook to your computer, the good news is that it takes about thirty seconds and works the same on Windows and Mac. You do not need software, browser extensions, or a Facebook login - just the link to a public video and a web browser. This guide shows you exactly how to save a Facebook video on your laptop or desktop in HD MP4, where the file ends up, and how to keep the best possible quality.

A quick note on ethics first: only download videos that are public, that you own, or that you have permission to save. Always respect copyright and Facebook's terms of service. This guide does not cover private content, logins, or paid videos, and you should never attempt to get around those protections.

How to download a video from Facebook to your computer

The simplest approach works identically across Windows PCs, MacBooks, and even Chromebooks because it all happens in your browser. Here is the full process to download a Facebook video to your computer:

  1. Open facebook.com in your browser and find the public video or Reel you want to save.
  2. Right-click the video (or click the three-dot menu in the top corner of the post) and choose Copy link. You can also copy the URL straight from the address bar if you opened the video on its own page.
  3. In a new tab, go to our Facebook Video Downloader.
  4. Paste the link into the box and click the download button.
  5. Choose your quality - HD MP4 gives you the sharpest result - and click to save.

The video downloads as a standard MP4 file that plays in any media player, slides into a presentation, or imports cleanly into editing software.

Quick tip: Skip the manual steps - paste any public Facebook link into our free Facebook video downloader and save it in HD MP4 in seconds. No app, no login, no watermark.

How to download a Facebook video on Windows

On Windows, downloaded files go to your Downloads folder by default, whether you use Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Brave. Here is the download Facebook video Windows workflow:

  1. Copy the public video's link from Facebook as described above.
  2. Paste it into our Facebook Video Downloader and pick HD MP4.
  3. Click download. Your browser saves the file to This PC > Downloads.
  4. To find it fast, press Ctrl + J in your browser to open the download list, then click the file or the "Show in folder" link.

Choosing where the file saves on Windows

If you would rather pick a folder each time, open your browser settings, search for "downloads," and turn on the option to "Ask where to save each file before downloading." That way you can drop videos straight into a project folder instead of hunting through Downloads later.

How to download a Facebook video on Mac

On a Mac, the steps are nearly identical, and the file lands in your Downloads folder by default. To download a Facebook video on Mac:

  1. Copy the link to the public Facebook video.
  2. Paste it into our Facebook Video Downloader and choose your quality.
  3. Click download. In Safari, watch for the download icon near the top-right of the window; in Chrome, the file appears in the bottom bar.
  4. Click the download icon and choose Show in Finder to open the file in your Downloads folder.
  5. From Finder you can drag it to your Desktop, into iMovie, or anywhere else you need it.

A note for Safari users

If Safari opens the video in a new tab instead of downloading it, hold the Option key while clicking the download link, or right-click and choose Download Linked File. You can also check Safari's preferences to confirm downloads are not set to open "safe" files automatically.

Why download on a computer instead of a phone?

Saving Facebook videos on a laptop or desktop has real advantages, especially if you plan to do anything beyond casual viewing:

  • Bigger storage. Computers handle large HD files without the space crunch you hit on phones.
  • Easier editing. A downloaded MP4 drops straight into editors like Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, iMovie, or CapCut for desktop.
  • Better organization. Folders make it simple to keep clips for a project together and rename them clearly.
  • Faster batch work. A keyboard and a full browser make it quicker to copy multiple links and save several videos in a row.

If you also want the steps for mobile devices, our guide on How to Save Facebook Videos on iPhone & Android has you covered. For the big-picture overview of every method, read How to Download Facebook Videos: The Complete 2026 Guide, and if you are trying to capture a stream, see How to Download Facebook Live Videos. First time here? The How to Use page gives a quick visual walkthrough.

Keeping the best quality

The quality of your saved file depends on the quality of the original upload. If the publisher posted in HD, you can download in HD; if they posted a lower-resolution clip, that is the ceiling - no tool can add detail that was never there. Whenever the option appears, choose the highest resolution offered for the crispest result on a large monitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I download a Facebook video to my computer for free?

Copy the public video's link from Facebook, paste it into our free web-based Facebook video downloader, choose HD MP4, and click download. The file saves to your Downloads folder on both Windows and Mac. There is no cost, login, or watermark.

Where do downloaded Facebook videos go on my laptop?

By default they save to your Downloads folder. On Windows, press Ctrl + J in your browser to jump to the file; on Mac, click the download icon and choose "Show in Finder." You can change the default download location in your browser settings.

Do I need to install software to save a Facebook video on my laptop?

No. Everything happens in your web browser - no apps, extensions, or programs required. That keeps your computer cleaner and avoids the risks that come with unknown downloader software.

Can I download any Facebook video on my computer?

Only public videos, your own uploads, or videos you have permission to save. You should not download private videos or content behind a login or paywall, and you should always respect copyright and Facebook's terms of service.

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