Facebook's own Save video button only bookmarks the post inside your account, and the app never gives you the file. When a video or Reel is public and you have a right to keep a copy, a browser tab does the job: copy the link, parse it, and download the MP4.
This guide walks through the flow on the Facebook to MP4 page, plus the privacy setting that causes most failures.
1. Copy the video link
Open the video itself—click the timestamp or the video to reach its own page—then use Share → Copy link, or copy the address bar on desktop. The link must point to one public video or public Reel, not your News Feed, a group, or a profile page.
2. Paste and parse
- Open the Facebook to MP4 page.
- Paste the link into the field and press Parse.
- Check the title and thumbnail so they match the video you meant to save.
Friends-only posts and most group videos are not reachable without a login, and the tool never signs in, so those links fail no matter who you are.
3. Check the privacy setting first
This is the single most common failure. If a video plays for you because you are logged in, the parser—which is not logged in—may still see nothing. Quick test: open the share link in a private browser window. If it will not play there, it will not parse.
4. Pick a quality and save
The list shows the renditions the source exposes; 720p or 1080p is plenty for phones and keeps files small. Tap Download on your pick and leave the tab open until it completes—some uploads store video and sound separately, and they need a moment to combine.
- iPhone / iPad: Files app → Downloads; share into Photos if you want.
- Android: the Downloads folder, often visible in your gallery app.
- Computer: your browser's default download folder.
What to keep in mind
- Save only videos you own or have clear permission to keep. A public post is not public property.
- Do not save material from private accounts or closed groups even when you can personally see it—the visibility setting is the owner's decision.
- Keep saved files for personal use; re-uploading someone else's video is not what this tool is for.
Related tool pages
The parser lives on its own tool page, and the same flow covers other platforms if your clip is hosted elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
How do I download a Facebook video to my computer?
Copy the video's link, paste it on the Facebook to MP4 page, press Parse, pick a quality, and download. The file lands in your browser's download folder.
Can I save a private or friends-only video?
No. The tool does not sign in or bypass access controls, so private, friends-only, and most group videos fail. Public videos and public Reels are the supported case.
Why does a video play for me but fail to parse?
Because you are logged in and the parser is not. Open the share link in a private browser window; if it will not play there, the video is not public and cannot be parsed.
Does this work for Facebook Reels?
Yes. A public Reel link parses the same way as a regular video link—copy it from the Reel's own page and follow the same steps.