Facebook is a treasure trove of videos, ranging from entertaining clips and viral challenges to educational tutorials and important news updates. Often, you might come across a video that a friend, page, or group has shared, and you want to save it for offline viewing or future reference. While Facebook doesn’t always provide a direct download button, there are several methods to download shared videos efficiently and safely. This guide explains how to download a shared video on Facebook across devices and platforms.

Why Download a Shared Video?

Shared videos on Facebook can come from friends, pages, groups, or public accounts. Downloading these videos can be useful for several reasons:

1. Offline Viewing: Not all environments have stable internet connections, and downloading videos allows you to watch them anytime.

2. Preserving Memories: Some videos shared by friends may hold sentimental value.

3. Educational or Tutorial Content: Videos shared for learning purposes can be saved for later reference.

4. Convenience: Downloading videos allows you to watch without opening Facebook repeatedly.

5. Sharing for Personal Use: Offline videos can be shared with friends or family through other platforms.

Downloading shared videos ensures that you can enjoy content on your terms, without depending on internet access or Facebook’s interface.

Step 1: Copy the Video Link

The first step to downloading a shared video is obtaining its URL. This provides direct access to the video for various download methods.

On Desktop:

1. Open Facebook and navigate to the shared video post.

2. Click the video to expand it.

3. Right-click on the video and select “Show video URL” or copy the URL from the browser address bar.

4. Ensure you copy the entire URL, which typically looks like https://www.facebook.com/.../videos/....

On Mobile Devices:

1. Open the Facebook app and find the shared video.

2. Tap Share > Copy Link to save the video URL to your clipboard.

Having the link ready is crucial because it allows you to use online downloaders or browser-based methods efficiently.

Step 2: Use Online Facebook Video Downloaders

Online downloaders are one of the fastest ways to save shared Facebook videos. These tools work by taking the video URL and providing a downloadable file in various resolutions.

Popular Tools:

• FBDown.net

• SaveFrom.net

• Getfvid.com

Steps:

1. Open your chosen downloader in a web browser.

2. Paste the copied Facebook video link into the input field.

3. Click Download or Start.

4. Select the desired resolution (HD if available).

5. Click Download again to save the video to your device.

Advantages:

• Works on desktops, laptops, and mobile devices.

• Requires no software installation.

• Quick and efficient for multiple videos.

Tips:

• Use trusted websites to avoid malware.

• SD resolution downloads are faster and consume less storage, while HD provides better quality.

Step 3: Using the Browser-Based Method

You can download shared videos by accessing the mobile basic version of Facebook, which allows direct video downloads.

Steps:

1. Copy the shared video link as described above.

2. Open a new browser tab and paste the URL.

3. Replace www with mbasic so the URL becomes https://mbasic.facebook.com/....

4. Press Enter to load the simplified version of Facebook.

5. Play the video, right-click on it, and select “Save video as…”

6. Choose a location on your device to save the video.

Why This Works:

• The mbasic interface reduces ads and heavy scripts, allowing easier downloads.

• Works well for public videos and videos shared among friends.

• No software installation is required.

Step 4: Using the Page Source Method for HD Downloads

For high-quality downloads, the page source method allows direct access to HD video links.

Steps:

1. Open the shared video using its link in a desktop browser.

2. Right-click on the page and select “View Page Source” (Windows: Ctrl+U, Mac: Cmd+Option+U).

3. Press Ctrl+F (Windows) / Cmd+F (Mac) and search for hd_src.

4. Copy the URL next to hd_src.

5. Paste the URL into a new browser tab and press Enter.

6. Right-click the video and select “Save video as…”

7. Save it to your device.

Advantages:

• Ensures the highest quality available.

• Works for most public and shared videos.

• No third-party software needed.

Step 5: Downloading Shared Videos on Mobile Devices

Mobile users can save shared videos efficiently using the video link.

For Android Users:

1. Copy the video link from the Facebook app.

2. Open a mobile browser and visit an online downloader like SaveFrom.net.

3. Paste the link, select the video quality, and tap Download.

4. The video will be saved to your gallery automatically.

For iPhone Users:

1. Copy the video link from the Facebook app.

2. Open Safari and go to a trusted downloader like FBDown.net.

3. Paste the link, select HD or SD quality, and tap Download.

4. Save the video to your Photos app or Files app.

Tips:

• Ensure your mobile browser allows downloads and storage access.

• HD videos take longer to download and require more space.

Step 6: Using Browser Extensions for Frequent Downloads

Browser extensions make it easy to download shared videos directly from Facebook.

Steps:

1. Install a reputable extension like Video Downloader for Facebook on Chrome or Firefox.

2. Open the Facebook shared video using its link.

3. Click the extension icon when the video is detected.

4. Select the desired resolution and click Download.

5. Save the video directly to your device.

Advantages:

• One-click downloads for any video link.

• Supports multiple resolutions.

• Ideal for frequent Facebook video downloader.

Limitations:

• Requires installation of a trusted extension.

• Only use reputable extensions to avoid security issues.

Tips for Safe and Efficient Video Downloads

1. Choose the Right Quality: HD videos provide clarity but consume more space, while SD is faster and lighter.

2. Use Trusted Tools: Stick to reputable online downloaders or browser extensions.

3. Stable Internet Connection: A reliable connection ensures smooth downloads.

4. Device Storage Check: Ensure sufficient space before downloading large videos.

5. Respect Privacy and Copyright: Download videos for personal use or with permission.

Common Issues When Downloading Shared Facebook Videos

1. Video Not Downloading: Private or restricted videos may require alternative methods or permissions.

2. Slow Downloads: Use SD quality or a faster internet connection.

3. Storage Limitations: Transfer large videos to desktop if mobile storage is insufficient.

4. Advertisements and Pop-ups: Avoid malicious links; use only trusted download sites.

Conclusion

Downloading a shared video on Facebook is straightforward when you know the right methods. Whether using online tools, browser tricks, page source methods, mobile browsers, or extensions, videos can be saved quickly and efficiently for offline viewing.