How to Download Facebook Reels: Step-by-Step Guide

Facebook Reels have exploded in popularity, offering users short, engaging videos from creators across the world. But while Facebook lets you save Reels for in-app viewing, it doesn’t provide a direct way to download Facebook Reels to your device for offline use. Whether you’re looking to share Reels outside the app or keep them for later, this guide will walk you through how to download Facebook Reels using various tools and methods.

From quick web-based solutions to powerful desktop software and mobile apps, here’s everything you need to know about Facebook Reels download options.

Can You Download Facebook Reels Directly?

Short answer: No, not completely.

Facebook does not offer a native feature to download Facebook Reels video directly to your device. While the app allows you to “Save” a Reel to your saved items, this only keeps a bookmark within Facebook—you still need an internet connection to view it.

That said, you can work around this limitation using a variety of Facebook Reels downloader tools. These include:

• Online downloaders

• Desktop software

• Mobile apps

• Screen recording
  

Each comes with its pros and cons, and your choice depends on the quality you want, the device you’re using, and how often you need to download.

Methods to Download Facebook Reels

Let’s explore the four most effective methods to download Facebook Reels, along with step-by-step examples.

1 Using Online Downloaders

Best for: Occasional users who want quick access without installing anything.

Popular Tools:

• SaveFrom

• FBDown.net

• SnapSave.app
  

How to Use (Step-by-Step Example):

1. Open Facebook and find the Reel you want to download.

2. Tap the three-dot menu and choose “Copy link”.

3. Go to a site like SnapSave.app in your browser.

4. Paste the link into the provided field.

5. Select the quality (e.g., HD, SD).

6. Click Download.
   

Pros:

• No installation needed

• Works on PC, tablet, and mobile

• Fast and simple
  

Cons:

• Relies on a stable internet connection

• Many sites contain ads

• Privacy concerns with public URLs
  

2 Using Desktop Software

Best for: Frequent users who want high-quality, secure downloads with advanced features.

Recommended Tools:

• CleverGet Video Downloader

• 4K Video Downloader
  

How to Use (with CleverGet):

1. Download and install CleverGet Video Downloader.

2. Open Facebook on your browser and copy the Reel’s URL.

3. Paste the link into CleverGet’s interface.

4. The software will analyze the link and show available formats.

5. Choose your preferred resolution and format, then click Download.

6. Your Reel is saved to your PC!
   

Pros:

• High-quality downloads (up to 1080p or 4K)

• Batch download support

• More stable and secure than browser tools
  

Cons:

• Requires installation

• Advanced features usually require a paid version
  

3 Using Mobile Apps

Best for: Mobile users who want direct access to downloaded Reels on their phones.

Popular Android Apps:

• Video Downloader for Facebook

• FastVid
  

Popular iOS Apps:

• Reposter for Facebook

• MyMedia
  

How to Use (Android Example):

1. Copy the link to the Reel from the Facebook app.

2. Open Video Downloader for Facebook.

3. Paste the link into the app.

4. Tap Download and choose the desired resolution.

5. The video will save to your phone’s gallery.
   

Pros:

• Saves directly to your phone

• Easy sharing to other apps like WhatsApp or Instagram
  

Cons:

• Many apps are ad-supported

• iOS options may be limited due to App Store policies

• Some apps request access to your Facebook account or media storage
  

4 Using Screen Recording

Best for: Downloading Reels that are hard to capture via traditional methods.

Tools:

• Built-in iOS Screen Recorder

• Android screen recording apps like AZ Screen Recorder
  

How to Use (iOS Example):

1. Enable Screen Recording via Control Center.

2. Open the Facebook app and play the Reel.

3. Swipe to access Control Center and tap the Record button.

4. Once done, stop recording and find the video in your Photos app.

5. Trim the start and end for a cleaner result.
   

Pros:

• No need for third-party apps or downloads

• Works on any Reel, even private or restricted ones
  

Cons:

• Lower video quality

• Requires manual editing to remove UI elements or background noise

• Not ideal for batch saving

For better screen recording control and output quality, you can also try CleverGet Recorder, which offers more professional tools for both PC and Mac users.

Conclusion

If you’ve ever wondered how to download Facebook Reels, now you know: Facebook doesn’t offer a built-in download feature, but there are multiple reliable ways to work around that limitation.

Let’s recap the options:

• Online downloaders are fast and easy but come with privacy and quality trade-offs.

• Desktop software like CleverGet Video Downloader gives you top-tier quality and extra features like batch downloads and format conversion.

• Mobile apps are great for saving directly to your phone for offline use.

• Screen recording is a universal fallback if nothing else works, with CleverGet Recorder offering more refined control.
  

Your choice depends on what matters most: speed, video quality, security, or device compatibility. If you’re looking for a long-term, high-quality solution to download Facebook Reels, investing in desktop software like CleverGet will serve you best.