How to Download a Facebook Live Video

Capturing Live Broadcasts

Live streams are some of the most valuable content on the platform, from product launches to Q&A sessions and breaking events. The problem is that they are easy to miss in the moment. Learning how to download a Facebook Live video lets you keep a permanent copy of broadcasts you care about, even after the creator ends the stream. This guide explains exactly how to do it.

Live Videos vs. Standard Posts

When a live broadcast ends, Facebook usually saves it to the page or profile as a regular video replay. That replay is what you actually download. You cannot grab a stream while it is still running, so wait until the broadcast finishes and the replay appears on the timeline. From there, the process is identical to using our standard Facebook Video Downloader.

Copying the Replay Link

Open the finished live video on the creator's page. Click the three dots or the timestamp, then choose Copy Link. Paste that URL into the box on our homepage. If this is your first time, our guide on how to use Facebook video downloader tool walks through the interface step by step.

Choosing the Right Quality

Live broadcasts are often streamed in high definition, but the available replay quality depends on the original stream settings. Our MP4 Converter will present every resolution the replay offers. For long broadcasts, picking a slightly lower resolution can dramatically reduce the file size. Learn how this trade-off works in our article on Facebook video formats and quality downloaded.

Downloading Long Streams on Mobile

Live replays can run for hours, which is a challenge on a phone. A stable Wi-Fi connection is essential so the download does not break midway. For device-specific tips, see our guide on how to download Facebook Videos on your iPhone and Android. Saving the replay locally is also a smart move for Facebook Videos download for offline viewing during travel.

Private or Group Live Videos

Some live sessions are streamed inside private groups or to a limited audience. Standard tools cannot reach restricted content, so you will need our specialized Private Video Downloader, which works from the page source code. It takes one extra step but reliably captures replays you have permission to view.

If the Replay Will Not Download

Occasionally a live replay fails to process. This usually means the creator deleted the replay, set it to private, or the broadcast is still being processed by Facebook right after it ends. Wait a few minutes and try again. If problems persist, our troubleshooting Facebook video download guide explains the most common causes and fixes. With these steps, you will never lose an important live broadcast again.