How to Download Private Facebook Videos on Mobile: A Complete Guide

Introduction

Facebook is one of the largest social media platforms in the world, offering a wide range of content—photos, live streams, and videos. Sometimes, you come across a video that you’d like to save for offline viewing, but there’s a catch: it’s marked “private.” Unlike public videos that are easy to download using third-party tools, private Facebook videos are protected by user privacy settings, making them more difficult to access. However, there are ways to download these videos on mobile devices with the right approach.

In this article, we’ll explain how private Facebook videos work, the tools and techniques used to download them on mobile (both Android and iOS), and the legal and ethical considerations involved.

What Is a Private Facebook Video?

A private video on Facebook is content that has restricted visibility settings. Instead of being viewable by the general public, it might be limited to:

Friends only
Specific people
Private groups
“Only Me” (the uploader only)

This privacy barrier means that conventional downloaders, which rely on public access to the video file’s URL, will not work. Downloading private videos requires bypassing Facebook’s internal HTML structure without violating user trust or legal policies.

Important Legal and Ethical Considerations

Before diving into the methods, it’s important to address the ethics and legality of downloading private content.

Acceptable Use:

For personal use or educational purposes
With the explicit permission of the video owner

Unacceptable Use:

Redistributing or reposting someone’s private content without consent
Using the content for commercial gain
Bypassing privacy for malicious reasons

Always respect user privacy and platform terms of service.

Method 1: Downloading Private Facebook Videos Using Mobile Browser (View Page Source)

This method involves manually locating the video’s source code and extracting the direct download URL. It’s a bit technical, but effective.

Steps (Works on Android with Chrome or Firefox):

Open Facebook in a browser (not the app). Go to m.facebook.com.
Log in to your account and navigate to the private video.
Play the video once, then long-press on the video and select “Open in New Tab.”
In the new tab, copy the URL from the address bar.
Open another tab and go to a view source code viewer like:
- [view-source:URL] (type view-source: in front of the copied URL)
- Or use a source viewer app from the Play Store
Search for “hd_src” or “sd_src” in the code. You may find a URL like this:

json
Copy the video URL and paste it into a new tab.
Long press the video to get the Download option.
⚠️ iOS doesn’t allow easy source viewing in Safari, so this method is harder to implement on iPhones unless using developer tools or apps like Inspect Browser.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Apps for Private Facebook Video Download

While public video downloaders are everywhere, few handle private videos well. Some Android apps provide more advanced functionality.

Recommended Android Apps:

Video Downloader for Facebook – by InShot Inc.
FastVid – Video Downloader for Facebook
Note: These apps often do not support private videos directly, but if you can copy the video link from source code as shown in Method 1, you can paste it into the app for download.

For iOS Users:

Due to Apple’s privacy policies, third-party apps are very limited. However, you can:

Use Safari with desktop mode enabled
Use a source-code viewer website
Or forward the video link to a PC and download it there

Method 3: Using Online Tools That Support Private Facebook Videos

Some websites specifically claim to support private Facebook videos. These tools ask you to upload the page source code.

Steps:

Open the Facebook video page in mobile browser.
Tap on the menu (three dots) and choose “View Page Source” or use a source code extension.
Copy all HTML code from the video page.
Go to websites like:
- https://www.getfvid.com/private-downloader
- https://fdown.net/private.php
Paste the code in the box and click Download.
Download the video in SD or HD quality based on availability.
⚠️ These tools don’t require login info but should still be used cautiously. Avoid any tool that asks for your Facebook password.

Method 4: Record the Video Using a Screen Recorder (Universal Approach)

If all else fails, this method works for any device or video visibility setting.

Android:

Use built-in screen recorder (Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.)
Or download AZ Screen Recorder, XRecorder

iPhone:

Use the built-in iOS screen recording feature from Control Center.

Play the video in full-screen, start recording, and save the clip. Trim it later using a video editor app.

This method doesn’t download the actual file but gives you a clean copy for offline viewing.

Tips for Better Video Quality

Use Wi-Fi to stream high-resolution videos for recording.
Ensure good screen brightness and sound if recording manually.
Always record in landscape mode for full view.

Conclusion

Downloading private Facebook videos on mobile requires a bit more effort and technical savvy than grabbing public videos. Whether you’re using source code, specialized tools, or screen recording, the key is to stay ethical, legal, and respectful of others’ privacy. While the methods vary between Android and iOS, most users can find a working solution with the right tools and knowledge.

As AI-driven content and security continue to evolve, downloading restricted media may become even more complex. But for now, with careful steps, it’s possible to save private videos for personal use on your mobile device.

FAQ: Downloading Private Facebook Videos on Mobile

1. Can I download private Facebook videos directly from the Facebook app?

No, the Facebook app does not offer a built-in option to download videos—especially private ones. You’ll need to use a mobile browser, screen recording, or third-party tools.

2. Is it legal to download private Facebook videos?

It depends. Downloading private videos for personal use (with permission from the owner) is generally acceptable. However, reposting or sharing private content without consent may violate Facebook’s terms of service and privacy laws.

3. What’s the difference between public and private Facebook videos?

Public videos are visible to everyone and can be downloaded using basic online tools. Private videos have restricted visibility (e.g., “Friends Only,” “Only Me,” private groups), making them more difficult to access.

4. Can I use an app to download private Facebook videos on Android?

Most apps don’t support private videos directly, but if you extract the video URL from the page source code, some apps like FastVid or Video Downloader for Facebook may work.

5. Are there any tools or websites that support downloading private Facebook videos?

Yes. Websites like Getfvid’s Private Downloader and Fdown.net/private.php allow you to paste the full page source code to extract a downloadable video link.

6. How can I view the source code of a Facebook video page on mobile?

Use a mobile browser like Chrome or Firefox, open the video in a new tab, and manually prepend view-source: to the URL. Alternatively, use a source-code viewer app or website.

7. Is it safe to use online video downloader websites?

Stick to trusted sites that don’t ask for your Facebook login. Avoid any platform that asks for your credentials, as this could be a phishing attempt.

8. Can I download private videos on iPhone?

It’s more difficult on iPhones due to system limitations. Your best options are:

Using Safari in desktop mode to view source code
Recording your screen using the built-in screen recorder
Sending the link to a desktop for further extraction

9. What is the safest method to save a private video on mobile?

The screen recording method is the safest, especially if other methods fail. It captures the video without interacting with Facebook’s backend.

10. Will the video owner know if I download or record their video?

No, Facebook does not notify users if someone downloads or screen-records their video. However, it’s still important to respect the privacy and rights of the content creator.