Why you need a Facebook video downloader for Mac
Facebook doesn't make it easy to download videos from its platform:
- No download button — most Facebook videos don't have a save-to-device option
- Embedded player blocks right-click — the custom video player prevents standard browser "Save Video As" methods
- Facebook Reels — short-form vertical videos use a different format and playback system, making them harder to capture
Star Video Downloader bypasses these limitations. Just paste the link and the app handles the rest — no browser extensions, no workarounds.
It is also much safer than the random web-based Facebook downloader sites that dominate search results. Those tools are usually packed with fake buttons, pop-ups, redirects, and unclear privacy practices. A native Mac app keeps the workflow simple and local.
How to Use a Facebook Video Downloader on Mac
Download Star Video Downloader
Get the free app from starvideoapp.com. Unzip and move to Applications. Works on macOS 14+ with Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Copy the Facebook video URL
Open Facebook in your browser, find the video you want to save, and copy the URL from the address bar. Alternatively, right-click the video and choose "Copy link."
Paste and download
Paste the Facebook video URL into Star Video Downloader and click Download. The app automatically detects the source and fetches the highest quality version available.
Play or convert
The downloaded video is saved to your chosen folder. Play it in any video player, or use the Convert tab to change to MP4, MOV, or extract audio as MP3.
Tip: To get the direct video URL on Facebook, right-click the video and choose "Copy link" or copy from the browser address bar while the video is playing. Make sure the URL contains facebook.com.
Types of Facebook content you can download
- Public video posts — any video shared publicly on a user's timeline or a Page
- Facebook Reels — short-form vertical videos, similar to TikTok or Instagram Reels
- Facebook Watch videos — longer-form content from the Watch tab, including shows and creator videos
- Live streams (after they end) — once a Facebook Live broadcast finishes and is saved, you can download the recording
- Videos in public groups — video posts within groups that are set to public visibility
Quality options
Facebook typically offers videos in SD and HD quality. Star Video Downloader automatically selects and downloads the highest quality version available. With Pro, you get support for the maximum resolution — whether that's 720p, 1080p, or higher when the source supports it. Pro also unlocks batch downloads, so you can queue multiple Facebook videos at once.
Why avoid online Facebook video downloaders
- Privacy concerns — you're sending your Facebook video URLs to third-party servers that can log your activity
- Aggressive ads — pop-ups, fake download buttons, auto-redirects to shady sites
- Lower quality — online tools frequently compress videos or only offer SD quality
- Malware risk — some bundle browser extensions or trigger unwanted downloads
Star Video Downloader runs locally on your Mac. Your URLs and downloaded videos never leave your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download private Facebook videos?
Only public videos can be downloaded. Private or friends-only videos are restricted by Facebook's privacy settings and cannot be accessed by third-party tools.
Does it work with Facebook Reels?
Yes. Copy the Reel URL and paste it into Star Video Downloader to download it in its original quality.
Can I download Facebook Live videos?
Yes, after the livestream has ended and is saved as a video on Facebook. Live broadcasts cannot be downloaded while still streaming, but once saved, you can grab the URL and download it.
What quality are Facebook videos downloaded in?
Star Video Downloader fetches the highest quality available, typically HD (720p or 1080p) depending on the resolution the uploader used.
Download Facebook Videos on Your Mac
Save Facebook videos, Reels, and Watch content offline — in full HD, with complete privacy.
macOS 14+ • Apple Silicon & Intel • No subscription