How to Download Videos from Facebook and YouTube: Complete Guide

Have you ever stumbled upon a brilliant video on Facebook or YouTube that you wanted to save for later viewing without having to search through hundreds of daily posts? Or perhaps you’ve wished to watch that special video when you don’t have internet access? If you’re nodding in agreement, you’re in the right place. For many of us in India, where internet connectivity can sometimes be unpredictable, having the ability to download videos becomes even more valuable.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain how to download tutorials, recipes, music videos, or trending content from Facebook and YouTube easily and for free, without requiring advanced technical knowledge. Whether you’re preparing for a train journey from Mumbai to Delhi or simply want to conserve your mobile data plan, these methods will help you enjoy your favourite content whenever and wherever you want.

Download Videos from Facebook: Simple and Effective Methods

Method 1: Download Facebook Videos from your Browser

Facebook doesn’t offer an integrated download button, but there are easy methods to save videos directly from your browser:

1. Find the video you want to download in your feed or on a page.

2. Click on the three dots that appear in the top right corner of the video.

3. Select “Save video.” This option will save the video to your “Saved” section but won’t download it to your device.

4. To download the video, when it’s playing, right-click on it and select “Save video as” (this step works primarily on computers).

5. Choose the location where you want to save the video and click “Save.”

If this method doesn’t work, it may be because the video has special restrictions. In that case, try the next method.

Method 2: Download Facebook Videos by Modifying the URL

This method is generally useful only for public videos:

1. Open the video you want to download in a separate tab.

2. In the browser’s address bar, change “www.facebook.com” to “mbasic.facebook.com”.

3. Press Enter to load the basic version of Facebook.

4. Find the video and click on it to play it.

5. Right-click on the video and select “Save video as”.

6. Choose where to save the file and confirm.

This method uses Facebook’s basic mobile version, which has fewer protections for content downloads.

Method 3: Download Facebook Videos on Mobile Devices

On phones and tablets, the process is slightly different:

1. Open the Facebook application and find the video you want to download.

2. Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the video.

3. Select “Save to your phone” if available. If you don’t see this option, try the next step.

4. Copy the video link by selecting “Copy link”.

5. Open your browser and paste the link, but change “www.facebook.com” to “mbasic.facebook.com”.

6. Tap the video to play it.

7. Press and hold the video until a menu appears and select “Download video” or “Save”.

Remember that these methods work best for public videos. If the video has privacy restrictions, you may not be able to download it.

Download Videos from YouTube: Legal and Free Options

Method 1: Use YouTube Premium to Download Videos

The official and secure way is through YouTube Premium:

1. Subscribe to YouTube Premium (it has a monthly cost but includes a free trial period).

2. Open the video you want to download.

3. Click “Download,” which appears below the video alongside the “Like” and “Share” options.

4. Select your preferred video quality.

5. Find your downloaded videos in the “Library” > “Downloads” section.

This option is legal and allows you to watch videos offline for up to 30 days.

Method 2: Download YouTube Videos Using a Web Browser

To download without a premium subscription:

1. Open YouTube in your browser and search for the video you want to download.

2. Modify the video URL: before “youtube.com” add “ss”, resulting in “www.ssyoutube.com/rest-of-the-link”.

3. Press Enter and you’ll be redirected to a site that will allow you to download the video.

4. Select your preferred format and quality.

5. Click “Download” and wait for the process to complete.

This technique uses third-party services that act as intermediaries for downloading.

Method 3: Download Audio from YouTube

If you only need the audio (for example, for songs or sound effects):

1. Find the video of the song or audio you want to download.

2. Copy the video URL.

3. Visit an online YouTube to MP3 converter (there are many free ones).

4. Paste the URL in the indicated field.

5. Select the MP3 format and audio quality.

6. Click “Convert” or “Download”.

7. Save the file to your device when the conversion is complete.

It’s important to mention that this method is ideal for content with licences that allow personal use or that are in the public domain.

Method 4: Download YouTube Videos on Mobile Devices

On smartphones and tablets, the process is similar:

1. Open the YouTube app and search for the video.

2. If you have YouTube Premium, you’ll see the download button below the video.

3. If you don’t have Premium, copy the video link by tapping “Share” and select “Copy link”.

4. Open your browser and paste the link into an online download service.

5. Select your preferred format and quality.

6. Download the file and save it to your gallery or files.

Some mobile browsers like Opera Mini have built-in functions for downloading videos, which makes the process even easier.

Important Considerations When Downloading Videos

Legal Aspects and Copyright

It’s essential to keep these points in mind:

1. Respect copyright. Only download videos for personal use.

2. Don’t redistribute or commercialise downloaded content without authorisation.

3. Check the usage policies of each platform, as they change frequently.

4. Be careful with third-party services that could contain malicious software.

Safety Tips When Downloading Videos

To protect your device while downloading:

1. Only use recognised sites for downloading videos.

2. Avoid clicking on suspicious ads or download buttons.

3. Keep your antivirus updated if you’re using a computer.

4. Review the permissions requested by mobile applications.

5. Prefer official methods like YouTube Premium.

Alternatives to Downloading Videos

If you don’t want to take up space on your device, consider these options:

1. Offline playlists on YouTube Premium.

2. Save videos on Facebook for easy access later.

3. Use streaming services that allow temporary downloads.

4. Share links instead of complete files.

For those with limited storage on their devices, consider using cloud storage services that are popular in India to store your downloaded videos, or invest in external storage solutions.

Conclusion

As you can see, downloading videos from Facebook and YouTube is straightforward, and you can do it from your computer or mobile device. With these free methods we’ve shared, you can now save and enjoy your favourite content without needing an internet connection or embarking on a lengthy search to find that tutorial or funny video.

Remember that it’s important to respect copyright and use downloaded content only for personal purposes. In India, where internet connectivity can sometimes be patchy, especially when travelling between cities or in rural areas, having offline access to important videos can be incredibly valuable.

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Ready for action? Start practising these techniques and take your favourite videos with you wherever you go!