Wondering how to save that amazing Facebook Live video your friend posted before it disappears? Whether it's a cooking demonstration, a music performance, or a special moment you want to keep, downloading Facebook Live videos is simpler than you might think. In this guide, I'll walk you through several easy methods to download someone else's Facebook Live video to your device.

Facebook Live has become incredibly popular, with millions of users streaming content daily. While Facebook doesn't offer an official download button for other people's live videos, there are several workarounds you can use. Let's explore your options!

Why You Might Want to Download Facebook Live Videos

Before diving into the methods, let's consider some legitimate reasons why you might want to save a Facebook Live video:

• Saving educational content for offline viewing
• Preserving special moments shared by friends or family
• Creating a personal archive of important broadcasts
• Watching content later when you have better internet connection
• Using content for personal reference (with permission)

Important Legal Considerations

Before downloading anyone's Facebook Live video, keep these important points in mind:

• Always respect copyright laws and intellectual property rights
• Get permission from the creator when possible
• Never redistribute or use downloaded content commercially without permission
• Some content may be protected by Facebook's Terms of Service

Method 1: Using Online Facebook Video Downloaders

One of the easiest ways to download Facebook Live videos is by using online downloader tools. These websites allow you to paste a video URL and download the content without installing any software.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Find and Copy the Facebook Live Video URL

First, you need to locate the Facebook Live video you want to download:

• Navigate to the Facebook Live video on your browser
• Click on the video to open it in theater mode or full screen
• Look for the URL in your browser's address bar
• Click on the address bar and press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac) to copy the URL

2. Choose a Reliable Online Downloader

Several online services can download Facebook videos. Some popular options include:

• GetfVid
• FBDownloader
• SaveFrom.net
• DownloadFacebook.net
• FBDown.net

3. Paste the URL and Download

Once you've selected a downloader:

• Visit the downloader website
• Paste the copied URL into the provided field
• Click "Download" or the equivalent button
• Select the video quality you prefer (if options are available)
• Click on the download link to save the video to your device

Tips for Using Online Downloaders:

• Try different downloaders if one doesn't work with a particular video
• Be cautious of excessive ads or pop-ups on some downloader sites
• Use an ad-blocker for a smoother experience, but consider disabling it if the site requires
• Some downloaders work better for certain video types or lengths

Method 2: Using Browser Extensions

Browser extensions can streamline the process of downloading Facebook Live videos by integrating directly with your browser.

For Chrome Users:

1. Install a Facebook Video Downloader Extension

• Open the Chrome Web Store
• Search for "Facebook video downloader"
• Read reviews and choose a reputable extension
• Click "Add to Chrome" and confirm the installation

2. Navigate to the Facebook Live Video

• Go to Facebook and find the live video you want to download
• Play the video to make sure it loads properly

3. Use the Extension to Download

• Look for the extension icon in your browser toolbar
• Click on the extension icon while viewing the video
• Select your preferred download quality
• The video will download to your default downloads folder

For Firefox Users:

1. Install a Compatible Extension

• Visit the Firefox Add-ons store
• Search for "Facebook video downloader"
• Choose an extension with good ratings
• Click "Add to Firefox" and follow the prompts

2. Download the Video

• The process is similar to Chrome - navigate to the video
• Click the extension icon while viewing the video
• Choose your download options
• Save the file to your computer

Popular Browser Extensions:

• Video DownloadHelper
• Facebook Video Downloader
• Social Video Downloader
• Flash Video Downloader

Method 3: Using Screen Recording Software

If other methods aren't working, screen recording is a reliable fallback option that works for any video playing on your screen.

For Windows 10/11 Users:

1. Use the Built-in Screen Recorder

• Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar
• Click on the "Record" button (circle icon)
• Navigate to the Facebook Live video and play it in full screen
• When finished, click the stop button
• The recording will be saved in your Videos/Captures folder

2. Alternative: Use OBS Studio

• Download and install OBS Studio from their official website
• Set up a display capture source
• Configure your recording settings
• Click "Start Recording" before playing the Facebook Live video
• Click "Stop Recording" when finished
• Find your recording in the designated output folder

For Mac Users:

1. Use QuickTime Player

• Open QuickTime Player from your Applications folder
• Go to File > New Screen Recording
• Click the record button and select the area you want to record
• Play the Facebook Live video
• When finished, click the stop button in the menu bar
• Save the recording to your desired location

2. Use Screenshot App (macOS Mojave or later)

• Press Command + Shift + 5
• Choose "Record Selected Portion" or "Record Entire Screen"
• Click "Record" and play the Facebook Live video
• Click the stop button in the menu bar when finished
• The recording will be saved to your desktop by default

Method 4: Using Mobile Apps to Download Facebook Live Videos

If you're primarily using Facebook on your smartphone, dedicated apps can help you download live videos directly to your device.

For Android Users:

1. Video Downloader for Facebook

• Install "Video Downloader for Facebook" from Google Play Store
• Open the app and log in to your Facebook account
• Browse to the live video you want to download
• Tap the download button that appears
• Select your preferred quality
• The video will be saved to your gallery

2. Using a Browser App with Download Capability

• Install a browser app like UC Browser or Dolphin Browser
• Navigate to Facebook and find the live video
• Play the video and look for the download option
• Select your preferred quality
• The video will download to your device

For iPhone Users:

1. Documents by Readdle

• Download "Documents by Readdle" from the App Store
• Open the app and use its built-in browser
• Navigate to a Facebook video downloader website
• Paste the Facebook Live video URL
• Download the video to your Documents folder
• Transfer to your Camera Roll if needed

2. Shortcuts App Method

• Install the Shortcuts app if you don't have it
• Find and install a "Facebook Video Downloader" shortcut
• Copy the URL of the Facebook Live video
• Run the shortcut and follow the prompts
• Save the video to your Photos app

Method 5: Using Desktop Software

For those who frequently download videos, dedicated desktop software offers more features and reliability.

Using 4K Video Downloader:

1. Install the Software

• Visit the 4K Video Downloader website
• Download the version for your operating system
• Install the software following the on-screen instructions

2. Download the Facebook Live Video

• Copy the URL of the Facebook Live video
• Open 4K Video Downloader
• Click "Paste Link" in the top-left corner
• Select your preferred video quality
• Choose the download location
• Click "Download" to start the process

Using VideoProc Converter:

1. Set Up the Software

• Download and install VideoProc Converter
• Launch the program
• Click on the "Downloader" tab

2. Download the Video

• Copy the Facebook Live video URL
• Paste it into the URL field in VideoProc
• Click "Analyze" to detect the video
• Select your preferred format and quality
• Click "Download" to save the video

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes you might encounter problems when trying to download Facebook Live videos. Here are solutions to common issues:

Video Won't Download

• Make sure the video is publicly available and not restricted
• Try copying the URL again from the address bar
• Use a different downloader tool or method
• Clear your browser cache and cookies
• Try using a different browser

Poor Video Quality

• Always select the highest quality option available
• Some live videos may only be available in lower quality
• Try a different downloader that offers better quality options
• Screen recording quality depends on your display resolution

Download Speed Issues

• Check your internet connection
• Try downloading at off-peak hours
• Close other applications using your bandwidth
• Some free services may have speed limitations

Audio-Video Sync Problems

• Try a different downloading method
• Use video editing software to fix sync issues
• Screen recording usually maintains proper sync

Comparing Different Download Methods

Method	Ease of Use	Quality	Speed	Best For
Online Downloaders	Easy	Varies	Medium	Quick, occasional downloads
Browser Extensions	Very Easy	Good	Fast	Regular Facebook users
Screen Recording	Medium	Depends on screen	Real-time	When other methods fail
Mobile Apps	Easy	Varies	Medium	Mobile-only users
Desktop Software	Medium	High	Fast	Frequent downloaders

Best Practices for Downloading Facebook Live Videos

Ethical Considerations

• Always ask for permission when possible
• Don't share or redistribute without permission
• Respect the creator's rights to their content
• Use downloaded videos for personal use only

Quality Tips

• Always try to download in the highest available quality
• For important videos, try multiple methods and keep the best result
• Consider the file format - MP4 is generally the most compatible
• Check the audio quality before finalizing your download

Storage Management

• Create a dedicated folder for your downloaded videos
• Name files clearly with date and content information
• Consider cloud storage for backing up important videos
• Regularly clean up videos you no longer need

When You Can't Download a Facebook Live Video

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you might not be able to download a particular Facebook Live video. This could happen for several reasons:

• The creator has restricted downloading or sharing
• The video uses Facebook's content protection features
• The video has been deleted or made private
• Facebook has updated its systems to block certain download methods

In these cases, you have a few alternatives:

• Reach out to the creator and ask if they can share the video with you directly
• Take screenshots of important moments if you can't get the full video
• Bookmark the video for future viewing (if it remains available)
• Use screen recording as a last resort (while respecting copyright)

Saving Facebook Live Videos for Different Purposes

For Personal Memories

If you're downloading family events or friend gatherings:

• Focus on getting the highest quality possible
• Consider organizing videos in albums by event or date
• Back up important memories to multiple locations

For Educational Content

When saving tutorials or educational broadcasts:

• Consider trimming the video to the most relevant sections
• Organize by topic or instructor
• Add notes about the content for future reference

For Research Purposes

If you're using videos for research:

• Document the source and date of the broadcast
• Get permission if you plan to include clips in published work
• Consider transcribing important segments

Quick Tip to ensure your videos never go missing

Videos are precious memories and all of us never want to lose them to hard disk crashes or missing drives. PicBackMan is the easiest and simplest way to keep your videos safely backed up in one or more online accounts. 

Simply download PicBackMan (it's free!), register your account, connect to your online store and tell PicBackMan where your videos are - PicBackMan does the rest, automatically. It bulk uploads all videos and keeps looking for new ones and uploads those too. You don't have to ever touch it.

Conclusion

Downloading someone else's Facebook Live video isn't officially supported by Facebook, but as we've seen, there are several effective methods to save these videos for personal use. Whether you prefer the simplicity of online downloaders, the convenience of browser extensions, or the reliability of screen recording, you now have multiple options at your disposal.

Remember to always respect copyright laws and the content creator's rights when downloading and using their videos. When in doubt, reach out for permission, especially if you plan to use the content beyond personal viewing.

With the methods outlined in this guide, you should be able to save those special Facebook Live moments before they disappear. The best approach often depends on your specific situation, technical comfort level, and how frequently you need to download videos.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it legal to download someone else's Facebook Live video?

The legality exists in a gray area. While downloading for personal use is generally acceptable, redistributing or using the content commercially without permission could violate copyright laws. Always try to get permission from the creator when possible, and never claim someone else's content as your own.

Why can't I download certain Facebook Live videos?

Some videos may be protected by privacy settings, content protection measures, or might be restricted by the creator. Facebook also regularly updates its platform to limit unauthorized downloading. If one method doesn't work, try an alternative approach or consider reaching out to the content creator directly.

Will the video owner know if I download their Facebook Live video?

No, Facebook doesn't notify content creators when someone downloads their videos using third-party tools or screen recording. However, this doesn't mean you should download and use content without permission, especially if you plan to share it elsewhere.

What's the best quality I can expect when downloading a Facebook Live video?

The quality of your downloaded video depends on the original broadcast quality and the method you use to download it. Facebook Live videos are typically streamed at 720p maximum, so that's generally the highest quality you can expect. Some methods might result in lower quality, particularly screen recording if your display settings aren't optimized.

Can I download Facebook Live videos that happened in the past?

Yes, as long as the creator has saved the live video to their timeline or page, you can download it using the methods described in this guide. If the live video wasn't saved after the broadcast ended, it won't be available for viewing or downloading.