Facebook remains one of the world’s most influential social platforms, connecting billions of people through photos, posts, reels, and—most importantly—live video. Facebook Live has become a powerful tool for creators, educators, businesses, and everyday users. Whether someone is hosting a tutorial, streaming an event, or sharing real-time news, Live videos help content reach audiences instantly.
But what if you want to save a Facebook Live video for later? Maybe you need to back up your own broadcast, or perhaps you want to rewatch an educational live stream offline. Unfortunately, Facebook does not provide a built-in option for users to download Facebook Live video unless they are the original creator. This limitation has led many people to search for alternative methods and reliable tools that help them learn how to download a Facebook live video safely and legally.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know—from important restrictions to multiple download methods, including official options, third-party tools, and even recording techniques.
Important Things to Know Before Downloading
Before diving into the methods, it’s essential to understand some key considerations.
1. Public Videos vs. Private Videos
Facebook Live replays fall into two main categories:
- Public Videos:
Anyone can view these, and in most cases, they are easier to download using third-party tools or browser methods. - Private Videos (Friends-only, Private Group, or Restricted):
These cannot be downloaded through simple copy-paste methods. Access depends on your permissions. Downloading someone’s private content without permission is not appropriate and may violate Facebook policies.
If you are the owner of the live video, you can download it directly from your Facebook account using the official options described later.
2. Legal Considerations
Before learning how to download Facebook live video, always remember:
- Only download videos you own or have clear permission to save.
- Many downloaded videos cannot be reuploaded elsewhere without consent.
- Copyright-protected content should not be distributed or monetized.
This guide is meant for personal, legal use only.
Download Your Own Facebook Live Videos (Official Method)
If you broadcasted the live video yourself, Facebook gives you an official—and very simple—way to download your replay.
Steps to Download Your Facebook Live Video:
- Log in to Facebook on your desktop browser.
- Go to your Profile and click on Videos or Video tab.
- Locate the Live Video you want to save.
- Open the video and click the ••• (three dots) button or Edit Video option.
- Choose Download Video (options may differ depending on Facebook’s latest layout).
Once downloaded, you can store it offline, edit it, or upload it to other platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or your website.
Note:
Facebook may provide HD or SD download options depending on the original live stream quality.
Download Facebook Live Videos Using a Video Downloader
If you’re trying to download a Facebook Live replay you don’t own—but have permission to save—you can use a third-party downloader. One highly reliable option is CleverGet Video Downloader, a professional tool that supports Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo, Twitch, and many more platforms.
You can explore it here:
How to Download Facebook Live Video Using CleverGet Video Downloader:
- Install and open CleverGet.
- Copy the link of the Facebook Live video you want to download.
- Paste the link into the tool’s built-in browser.
- The software will automatically detect downloadable media.
- Choose your preferred video quality and format.
- Click Download, and the tool will begin saving the video.
This method is especially useful for educational content, livestream tutorials, or public broadcasts you want to save for offline use.
Record Facebook Live During Streaming
If the live video is still streaming, downloading may not be immediately possible. In this case, the best solution is to record the livestream in real time.
A reliable option is to use CleverGet Recorder, which captures high-quality screen recording and audio—perfect for saving live broadcasts as they happen.
Access it here:
When to Use Screen Recording Instead of Downloading:
- The video is still broadcasting live
- The livestream is private and you have permission to capture it
- You need specific portions rather than the full video
How to Record Facebook Live Using CleverGet Recorder:
- Launch CleverGet Recorder on your computer.
- Select Screen Recording preferences in settings.
- Copy the link of the Facebook Live video you want to download.
- Paste it into CleverGet Recorder’s built-in browser.
- Click Record to begin capturing the stream.
The captured file will be saved on your device instantly, allowing you to edit or store it as needed.
Save Facebook Live Videos Using the Browser (Simple Trick)
If you prefer not to use third-party software, some users rely on browser features to manually save videos. This technique works for many public Facebook Live replays.
Steps:
- Open the Facebook Live replay in a browser (like Chrome or Firefox).
- Right-click the page and select View Page Source (or press Ctrl+U / Cmd+Option+U).
- Press Ctrl+F and search for “.mp4”.
- Locate the highest-resolution .mp4 link.
- Copy and paste it into a new browser tab.
- Right-click the video and choose Save Video As….
This method is free and doesn’t require installation, but it may not work for:
- Private videos
- Certain Facebook regions
- Encrypted streaming formats
Still, it’s a good option for users with basic technical skills.
Conclusion
Facebook Live is an excellent way to share real-time content, but Facebook doesn’t make it easy to download every video—especially if you’re not the original creator. By understanding public vs. private restrictions and respecting legal boundaries, you can safely save the content you are authorized to keep.
Whether you want to archive your own livestream, save public tutorials, or record an event as it happens, you can find a reliable solution in this passage.
Always remember: downloading or recording content without permission may violate copyright or privacy rules. Use these methods responsibly and ethically.