The Facebook app on iPhone has no button that puts a video in your Photos. That is why so many people give up or record the screen. There is a simpler way, using Safari, the browser that comes with every iPhone. You copy the link in Facebook, open this page in Safari and paste it.
One thing is worth knowing before you start, because it avoids a scare. When Safari downloads a video, it does not place it in Photos. It places it in an app called Files, in a folder named Downloads. The video is safe there. Further down we explain how to move it to Photos.
How it works
- Copy the link in the Facebook appTap Share under the video. Slide the list of options until you find Copy link and tap it. On a Reel, the Share arrow is on the right side.
- Open Safari and paste the link hereOpen this page in Safari, touch the box at the top for a moment and tap Paste. Then tap the button with the down arrow and close the short ad.
- Tap DownloadChoose the quality. Safari shows a small window asking if you want to download. Tap Download. A blue arrow appears beside the address bar when it finishes.
Questions and answers
I downloaded the video but it is not in Photos. Where is it?
It is in the Files app. Look for the blue folder icon on your iPhone, open it, tap Browse at the bottom and then Downloads. You can also tap the arrow beside the address bar in Safari.
How do I move the video to the Photos app?
In the Files app, tap the video to open it. Then tap the Share icon, a square with an arrow pointing up, and choose Save Video. From that moment it appears in Photos.
Safari played the video in full screen instead of saving it. What do I do?
Close the video and return to this page. Touch and hold the download option until a menu appears, then choose Download Linked File. This tells Safari to save the file instead of playing it.
Do I need to install something from the App Store?
No. Safari is enough, and nothing is added to your iPhone. The site does not ask for your Apple ID or your Facebook password. It is free, and a short ad that can be closed appears before the download.
Will the video take much space on my iPhone?
It depends on the length and on the quality chosen. The SD version is lighter and is a sensible choice when storage is nearly full. After saving to Photos, you may delete the copy left in Files.
Can I send the saved video to my family?
If the video is yours, or its author allowed it, yes. For videos made by other people, the respectful path is to ask before sharing the file, or simply to send them the link to the original post.