Your Facebook videos can disappear if your account is locked, a page is removed or a video is deleted by mistake. Backing up your own content is the best protection. This guide covers the official ways to do it and simple habits that keep your videos safe.
Why backups matter
Social platforms are not storage services. Accounts can be hacked, restricted or closed, and compressed copies of your videos lose quality. A backup gives you the original files and control over where they live.
Step 1: keep the original files
The most important backup is the original video from your phone or editing app. Copy it to a computer or cloud folder right after you record or export. Facebook only ever stores a compressed version.
Step 2: use Download your information
- Open Settings, then Accounts Center.
- Choose Your information and permissions, then Download your information.
- Select the data you want, for example posts and videos, and pick the date range, format and media quality.
- Request the file. Facebook prepares it and tells you when it is ready.
- Download it soon, since the link may expire, and you may be asked to confirm your password.
Menu names change from time to time, so follow the wording in your app. The archive contains personal information, so store it somewhere private.
Step 3: Pages and live videos
If you manage a Page, open Meta Business Suite, go to your content list and download the videos you published. For live broadcasts, download the recording when the live ends, because it is easy to forget later.
What the downloaded archive contains
The archive usually includes your posts, photos and videos in folders, plus an index you can open in a browser if you chose the HTML format. The JSON format is better if you want to process the data with other software. Choosing a higher media quality gives bigger files but keeps your videos sharper, so pick the quality that matches how much storage you have.
Common problems
- The download link expired: request a new archive.
- The file is very large: request a shorter date range or fewer data types and download in parts.
- You cannot find a video: check the date range and make sure Videos was selected.
- You no longer have access to the account: act early, because recovery can take time and you may not get the videos back.
Step 4: store copies in two places
- Keep one copy on your computer or an external drive.
- Keep another in cloud storage.
- Name files with dates and titles so you can find them.
- Check once a year that the files still open.
Frequently asked questions
Can I back up other people’s videos?
Only with their permission. This guide is about your own content. For someone else’s video, use Save video or ask them for the file.
How long does the information download take?
It depends on how much data you request. Smaller date ranges are quicker.
Does downloading my data delete anything?
No. It makes a copy and leaves your account unchanged.
More: the Facebook video beginner guide and official saving options for Facebook. This article is general information, last reviewed October 2026.