How to Download All Photos from Facebook

Facebook may not be as popular as it once was, but for many of us, it still holds years of memories worth saving.

Whether it’s old trips, life milestones, or moments you don’t want to lose, backing them up is a smart move.

In this article, I’ll show you how to do it.

Spoiler alert – Facebook knows how important this is and has made it easy to do.

In this guide, I’ll tell you the steps you need to follow to download all your photos in one go – whether you want to do it on a computer or your phone. I’ll also cover how to download individual photos or albums.

So, keep on reading!

Why Download Your Facebook Photos?

There are plenty of reasons why you might want to download Facebook photos. Here are some of the most popular:

Safety Net: Lost a favorite snapshot? By downloading all your Facebook photos, you create a safety net. So even if your summer ’19 album disappears on Facebook, you’ve still got it safe and sound.

Privacy Matters: Sharing is caring, but sometimes, not so much. When you have all your photos stored offline, you control who gets a peek. That epic party pic? Your choice if it stays or goes.

Branching Out: Thinking of trying a new platform? Downloading Facebook images and videos ensures you’ve got everything ready to upload elsewhere.

Remember, your Facebook page is a treasure trove of memories. Keeping a personal copy just makes good sense!

• Read more: Social Media Image Sizes for Photographers

How to Download Facebook Photos on Computer

Here’s how to download Facebook videos and photos to your computer, whether it’s a PC or Mac.

1. Access Facebook Settings

• Open Facebook.com on any browser and log in to your account.
• Click on your profile picture in the top right corner and select “Settings & Privacy” from the drop-down menu.
• Click “Settings”.

2. Navigate to Your Information

• On the left sidebar, you’ll find a section called Accounts Center. Click on “see more in Accounts Center”.
• Once the Accounts Center opens, go to “Your Information and Permissions”.
• Next, click on “Export your information”.

3. Create Export

• When you click on “Export your information”, a new window opens with the option to “Create Export”. Click on it.
• Choose where to export: you can download to your device or to an external service.
• Next, click on “Customize your information” to choose what you want to download. To include all the photos you’ve shared, include Posts, Stories, and Reels.
• Now, you can set the file format (HTML allows you to see your images, while JSON is better if you want to upload them elsewhere).
• You can also set the media quality (keep it set to “high” if you want the best quality images), and date range. Set the date range to “All Time” to ensure you capture all your images.
• At the end, you can see a summary of your choices. Make sure everything is correct.

4. Initiate the Download

• Click on the “Start Export” button.
• You’ll be asked for your password. This is a way to ensure that no one else is accessing your files – at least, not without your consent.
• The download won’t begin immediately; this is normal. You have to wait for Facebook to prepare your data, and it will notify you when it’s ready.

5. Receive Your Files

• You will be notified by Facebook when your file is ready. You’ll receive an email and a notification on your Facebook profile.
• Click on the notification, then on the “Export” button.
• You’ll be asked for your password again.

Read more: How to Download Instagram Photos (in High Quality)

How to Download Facebook Photos on Phone

Want to download all the photos from your Facebook profile using the Facebook app on your phone?

No problem, it works exactly the same as it does on your computer.

Here’s the step-by-step.

1. Access the Mobile Menu

• Open your Facebook app and ensure you are logged in. It works if you’re using Facebook Lite, like me.
• Tap on your profile photo with three horizontal lines across it (usually top right for Android, bottom right for iOS).

2. Navigate to Settings

• Scroll and tap on “Settings & Privacy”.
• Select “Settings”.

3. Enter the Accounts Center

• Inside “Settings”, you’ll find the Accounts Center. Tap on “See more” in Accounts Center.
• Scroll until you find the “Your Information and permissions” option. Tap on it.
• Tap on “Export Your Information”.
• Then, tap on “Create Export”.

4. Choose Data and Settings for Download

• To create your export, start by choosing whether you want to download to your device or an external service.
• Go through each section, selecting which email you want to be notified on, which information you want to download, the date range, the file format, and the media quality.

5. Start the Download

• Tap on “Start Export”. You may be asked to enter your password or use your biometric details to ensure privacy.
• Wait for Facebook to compile your photos.

6. Download the Prepared File

• Once notified by Facebook, return to the “Download Information” section.
• Tap the “Export” button next to your file.

How to Download Pictures from a Facebook Album

It may be that you’re not interested in downloading all your photos. Instead, you might just need a specific photo or a set of images you’d like to save from a Facebook album.

Here’s a straightforward guide to help you do just that.

1. Access the Gallery

• Navigate to the specific Facebook gallery you’re interested in.

2. To Download All the Photos from the Album:

• For computers: To download the whole album at once, click the ellipsis symbol (three dots) at the top right of the album cover, then select “Download album”.
• For mobile devices: Facebook does not currently offer a built-in option to download an entire album at once via the mobile app. To save multiple photos on mobile, you’ll need to:
  • Open each photo individually and save it one by one, or
  • Log into Facebook via a mobile browser (e.g. Safari or Chrome), switch to Desktop Site, and then follow the computer steps above.

  (Availability may vary by device and app version.)

3. To Download an Individual Photo:

• For computers: Click on the photo you want to download to open it in full size. Right-click on the image, then select “Save image as…” and choose where to save it on your computer.
• For mobile devices: Tap on the photo to view it in full size, then press and hold the image until a menu appears. Select “Save Image” or “Download Image.” On some devices, you may need to tap the three dots and choose “Save.” The exact option can vary depending on your phone and app version.

Note: Always respect copyright and privacy concerns when downloading photos. If an image isn’t publicly shared or if you don’t have permission, it’s best not to download it.

• Read more: How to Download All Your Photos from iCloud Easily

Downloading Photos from Facebook FAQs

Is there a way to download photos from Facebook?

Yes, you can download all photos directly from Facebook through the “Download Your Information” option in settings. You can also save albums or images directly.

What is the best way to download photos from Facebook?

The best method is to use Facebook’s official “Export Your Information” feature in the settings area of your Facebook account.

Why can’t I save Facebook photos on iPhone?

Some privacy settings or app restrictions might prevent you from saving photos directly. However, you can use the “Download Your Information” feature on Facebook to obtain all your photos.

How do I download pictures and videos from Facebook Messenger?

Open the desired conversation in Messenger, tap and hold on the photo or video you want to download, and select “Save” or “Download” from the pop-up options.

How do I download Facebook videos?

Open your video in full screen. Then, tap Options and choose “Download video”. You can also download multiple videos using the “Export your information” option, as explained in this article.

If the video wasn’t shared by you, there isn’t a way to download it directly from Facebook. If this is the case, you need to use a third-party video downloader. However, always ensure you respect copyright laws and only download videos if you have the creator’s permission.