Livestreams are all the hype now, and while there are many live streaming platforms, Facebook live video is unmatched in terms of sheer volume and content diversity. If it’s to be found on the internet, you can be sure it’s on Facebook Live.

However, there’s one slight problem. Facebook doesn’t support live video downloads natively. There’s the option of saving Facebook live video, but it’ll only be available online and linked to your account. This makes it difficult to share interesting, inspiring, or educational videos with people without a Facebook account, not to mention the convenience of having the live video offline in your device’s local storage.

While it may seem complicated, how to download a Facebook live video is fairly simple. Learn how you can go about it.

How to Download Your Own Facebook Live Video

Downloading your own Facebook Live video is probably the easiest of the bunch. There’s no need for third-party tools.

Here’s how to go about it:

• Open Facebook and log in to your account containing the live video you want to download.
• Click your profile icon and follow this up by clicking on your Facebook profile name.

• Scroll down your timeline until you find the live video. Alternatively, you can click “Saved” if you had previously saved the live video.
• Click the video once as if you’re opening it in full-screen mode, then click the three horizontal dots on the upper right corner of your screen.

• Select “Download video” from the dropdown menu.

• You can now find the Facebook live video in the download folder of your local storage.

Remember, for this to work, you must have posted the Facebook live video on your timeline or somehow have it in the “Saved” section.

If you don’t have or own the video, this method won’t work, and you may have to use the following tutorial below.

How to Download Someone Else’s Facebook Live Video

Things get a bit more complicated when you download someone else’s Facebook live video, technically and legally. As expected, Facebook prohibits such, and doing the contrary will violate the platform’s user policy.

Still, there’s a way around it (assuming you find a way to make it legal and ethically acceptable per the platform’s policies and guidelines). You can download any Facebook live videos with the right tools and patience.

Cisdem Video Converter (Mac, Windows)

This tool is one of the few gems remaining that can get the job done without any hitches, and you can still use it for various other purposes.

Here’s how to use it:

• Download and install Cisdem on your Mac or Windows. Ensure you get the setup files from the official site.
• Run Cisdem on your computer, then click on this icon, that we have pointed on the picture below.

• Open Facebook and find the Facebook live video you want to download. Tap the three horizontal dots at the top right corner and copy the video’s link.
• Switch back to Cisdem and paste the link onto the space/search bar at the bottom, then click the plus button.

• Choose an appropriate video format, then click the download icon in the bottom right corner.

Give it a while, and your Facebook live video will be in your device’s download section.

Facebook Video Downloader for Windows

If you’re looking for a dedicated tool to download regular Facebook videos and live ones, this tool is for you. Facebook video downloader provides more control over your downloads; you can download audio separately from the Facebook video.

Here’s how to use it:

• First, download and install Facebook video downloader for Windows.
• Run the video downloader on your computer, log into your Facebook account, and find the video you want to download.
• Click on the three dots in the top right corner next to the video and copy the video’s link.

• Switch to Facebook video downloader and paste on the empty bar labeled video URL.

• Choose what you want to download, including the video quality and resolution. You can also select where to save the video on your computer. There’s also the option of only downloading the audio.

• Click “Download Now,” give it a while, and you’ll find the video in your download folder or something similar.

Savefrom.net Online Desktop Tool

If native apps aren’t your thing, Savefrom.net is your best bet to download other people’s Facebook live videos.

Here’s how to use it:

• Open Savefrom.net on your browser, log into your Facebook account, and find the live video you want to download.
• Click once on the Facebook live video, then click on the three horizontal dots at the top right corner of the video.

• Copy the video’s link, switch tabs to Savefrom.net, and paste the link on the empty search bar.

• Click the “Download” button next to the URL bar, give it a while, then click Download on the video that appears below as shown.

Fbdown.net Online Downloader for iOS

Fbdown.net provides a fast and simple solution for downloading a Facebook live video. The platform has fewer ads and can work on any Facebook live video.

Here’s how to go about it:

• Log into your Facebook account and navigate to the video you want to download. Tap on Live videos to go directly to Facebook live videos. Alternatively, you can navigate to the “Saved” section if you have already saved the live video on your account.
• Tap once on the video as if you’re opening it, then tap the share button.
• Tap “Copy Link” from the dropdown menu.
• Open Fbdown.net online downloader on your browser and paste the link you’ve just copied on the empty search bar.

• Tap download, give it a while, then scroll down a bit. Select appropriate video quality and resolution.

• Confirm your choice to export the video to your device by tapping download again.

FastVid Downloader for Android

Available as a free download on Play Store, FastVid downloader should help you download any Facebook live video. It’s a lightweight app, and the interface is straightforward, ensuring fast, hassle-free downloads.

Here’s how to go about it with the app:

• Download and install FastVid Downloader on your device.
• Run the application and login into your Facebook account. You can choose not to, but it’s the least problematic approach.
• Once logged into your account, navigate to the Facebook live video, then tap once on the video.

• Tap “Download,” and the app will export the video to your device.

• If you didn’t log into your Facebook account, navigate to the video on the official Facebook app, tap on the three horizontal dots at the top of the video, and copy the video’s link.
• Switch back to the app and paste the link where it’s labeled ‘Enter video URL,” then tap “Download.”

How to Download a Facebook Live Video from a Private Facebook Group

Facebook has tightened the noose on this one. While there were options such as copying the live video’s link address and modifying it to be downloadable, these don’t work anymore.

The same goes with the “Inspect” method, where you right-click somewhere on the page with the video and find download the media from the site’s page source.

The only viable option is to request permission from the Facebook group’s admin(s), and once it’s granted, you can download the video using any of the tools mentioned above.

How to Repurpose Your Facebook Live Videos

There are many different ways to repurpose your Facebook Live videos. One option is to use snippets from the video to create short GIFs or memes for social media or break the video down into smaller clips that can be shared as reels. While still on the subject of repurposing, you may want to up your strategy with this remarkable piece on how to make your video stand out on Facebook.

Additionally, you can create a blog post about the topic discussed in the video or piece the video along with others into a relatable compilation that can be uploaded to YouTube or other video-sharing sites.

These are just a few suggestions; find the whole scoop here on how to repurpose Facebook Live Videos.

Why Can’t I Download a Facebook Live Video?

Currently, Facebook does not provide a direct way to download Facebook Live Videos. What you can do, though, is save the videos in your Facebook account.

One major reason you can’t download a Facebook Live Video is that it’s considered copyrighted material. Facebook has strict rules against downloading video content that belongs to other people. Since Facebook Live Videos are generally created by users and not by Facebook itself, they are subject to the same copyright rules that apply to other media. 

Another reason you can’t download a Facebook Live Video is because it may contain personal information such as phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses.

Facebook does not want its users to share this kind of data with others since it may be abused for personal gain or malicious reasons, so the platform, by default, restricts the ability to download this kind of content.

Still, there are many viable workarounds to downloading a Facebook live video. If you can’t still download a Facebook live video using the tools mentioned above, it could be due to any or a combination of these reasons:

• Facebook has updated its Digital Rights Management (DRM) tools
• The Facebook video went live in a private group

Final Thoughts

Downloading a Facebook Live Video is a great way to repurpose your content and get the most out of your efforts. It can help you record important moments, store memories, and even share them with friends and family. As you think about your next Facebook live video, consider looking at this guide on how to create the perfect Facebook Live video.

If you’re having trouble downloading a video, it may be because you’re trying to access a private Facebook group or don’t have the right to download it. Remember always to respect the privacy of other users and adhere to the platform’s terms of use.

The process for downloading a Facebook Live Video may change over time as Facebook updates its platform. Check in often for the latest information on how to download a Facebook Live Video.