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How to Download Facebook Videos on iPhone

iPhones can download video straight from Safari — the trick is knowing that it goes to the Files app first, not Photos. This guide covers the whole journey, from copying the link to having the video in your camera roll.

Updated · 6 min read · By the FDownloaders team

  1. Open the Facebook app and find the video — in your feed, on a Page, or in Watch.
  2. Tap Share and then Copy link.

Tip

Links starting with fb.watch or containing /share/ can be pasted directly. If one fails, open it in Safari first and copy the full address. Most short links work as they are.

Step 2: Download it with Safari

  1. Open Safari and go to fdownloaders.online.
  2. Tap Paste, allow the paste prompt, and tap Download.
  3. Wait a few seconds for the quality options (HD, SD, audio) to appear.
  4. Tap the quality you want. Safari asks whether you want to download the file — tap Download.
  5. A small download icon appears in the address bar. Tap it to watch progress.

Because FDownloaders sends the file as a proper download (not a web page with a player), Safari saves it instead of just opening the video. That's what makes the Photos step possible.

Step 3: Save the video to Photos

  1. Open the Files app and go to Downloads (tap Browse at the bottom if you don't see it).
  2. Tap the video to open it.
  3. Tap the Share button and choose Save Video.

The video now appears in Photos → Recents. You can delete the copy in Files afterwards to free up iCloud space.

Paste your video link on the downloader — it's built to work in Safari on iPhone and iPad.

Open the downloader

Using Chrome on iPhone

Chrome for iOS can download too. After tapping a quality, choose Download, then Open in… and Save Video to send it to Photos. Downloads also appear in Files under On My iPhone → Chrome.

iPad

The steps match the iPhone. On iPad, Safari may request the desktop version of sites; the downloader works the same either way.

iPhone troubleshooting

  • The video opens and plays instead of downloading: update iOS. Very old versions can't download files in Safari.
  • "Not enough storage" on iCloud: change the Downloads location to On My iPhone in Safari settings.
  • No Save Video option in the Share sheet: the download may not have finished. Check that the file has a size in Files and isn't showing a cloud icon still downloading.
  • "This video isn't public": it's private, friends-only or in a closed group. Ask the owner for the file, or if it's yours, connect Facebook in the downloader.

Still stuck? See Facebook video download not working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does Safari save downloaded videos on iPhone?

In the Files app, in the Downloads folder — on iCloud Drive by default. Change it under Settings → Apps → Safari → Downloads (on older iOS: Settings → Safari → Downloads).

How do I get a downloaded Facebook video into the Photos app?

Open Files → Downloads, tap the video, tap the Share button and choose Save Video. It appears in Photos under Recents.

Do I need an app to download Facebook videos on iPhone?

No. Safari has been able to download files since iOS 13, so FDownloaders works without installing anything.

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