Facebook to Delete Live Videos After 30 Days, find how to Recover/Download yours!
Facebook has changed the way it handles live videos, and if you regularly go live on the platform, you’ll want to pay attention. Under the new policy, live videos will only be stored for 30 days before they are automatically deleted.
However, users will receive a notification before deletion and have 90 days to decide what to do with their old live content. If you don’t take action, your videos will be gone for good.
Facebook stated:
“These changes will align our storage policies with industry standards and help ensure we are providing the most up-to-date live video experiences for everyone on Facebook.”
If you want to keep your live videos, here’s how you can download, save, and back them up before Facebook removes them forever.
How to Download and Save Your Facebook Live Videos
Here's a simple step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Check for the Deletion Notification
Before your videos are removed, Facebook will send you a notification informing you that your live video is set to be deleted. Once you receive this, you’ll have 90 days to take action.
Step 2: Locate Your Live Video
- Open Facebook and navigate to your profile or page where the live video was streamed.
- Click on the Videos tab.
- Find the live video you want to keep.
Step 3: Download Your Video
- Click on the video to open it.
- Click on the three-dot menu (⋮) in the upper right corner.
- Select Download Video and save it to your device.
If you don’t see a download option, use Facebook’s Video Manager (for Pages) to check for download availability.
What If Your Video Has Already Been Deleted? Can You Recover It?
Once Facebook deletes your live video after 30 days, it’s gone permanently, and there’s no way to recover it directly from Facebook. However, if you had auto-saved it elsewhere, here are a few ways to get it back:
1. Check Your Backup Storage
If you use Google Photos, iCloud, or an external hard drive, check if you previously saved a copy of your stream.
2. Use Third-Party Streaming Software
If you streamed using software like OBS Studio, StreamYard, or Restream, these tools often have a recording feature that automatically saves your streams.
How to Automatically Save Future Live Videos
To prevent losing content, set up automatic backups for your future Facebook Live videos:
1. Enable Auto-Saving on Your Device
- Some phones and desktops allow screen recording during live broadcasts.
- If you use Facebook Live Producer, select the option to auto-save live streams.
2. Use Third-Party Backup Services
- Services like Restream, StreamYard, or Vimeo allow live videos to be saved automatically.
- Some streaming platforms also let you simulcast to YouTube, where videos remain accessible indefinitely.
3. Download Immediately After Streaming
- As soon as your live broadcast ends, download the video while it’s still available.
Here's a list of some FAQs to help you don't lose your live videos on Facebook:
1. How can I download an individual live video from my Facebook profile or Page?
You can download a single live video from your profile or Page by following these steps:
- Go to your Videos tab (on a Page, you may need to click More to find the Live tab).
- Select the live video you want to download.
- Open the full-screen view, click on the […] (three-dot menu), and choose “Download video.”
Alternatively, you can use the Activity Log to download past live videos:
- Go to your Activity Log.
- Select “Your live videos.”
- Choose a date range to see available videos.
- Download the videos you want to keep.
2. Can I download multiple live videos at once?
Yes, Facebook allows you to bulk download live videos. Here’s how:
- On your computer or mobile device, tap the notification about your live videos.
- Select “Download live videos.”
- Choose the location where you want to save the files (computer or mobile device).
- Set a date range to filter the videos.
- Tap “Create File” to begin downloading.
3. Can I transfer my Facebook live videos to cloud storage?
Yes! Facebook lets you transfer your live videos to cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive. To do this:
- Tap the notification about your live videos.
- Select “Transfer live videos.”
- Tap “Where” and choose your linked cloud storage provider (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.).
- Tap “Save.”
4. Can I convert my live videos into Facebook Reels?
Yes, if you want to keep your favorite moments from your live videos beyond 30 days, you can turn them into Reels:
- Open the Live video you want to keep.
- Use Facebook’s built-in tools to clip shorter moments from the live video.
- Share them as Reels to keep them on your profile permanently.
This allows your friends, family, and followers to enjoy those moments even after the original live video is removed.
5. What if I need more time before Facebook deletes my live videos?
Facebook gives you the option to postpone deletion for an additional six months. Here’s how to extend the time:
- Tap the notification that your live video is set for deletion.
- Select “Learn More.”
- Tap “Postpone the deletion.”
- Confirm by selecting “Postpone.”
After this six-month extension, if you don’t take further action, your videos will be permanently deleted.
6. What happens if I don’t download my videos before the deletion deadline?
If you don’t download, transfer, or convert your live videos before the 30-day expiration period (or the extended 6-month grace period, if applied), your videos will be permanently deleted from Facebook, with no way to recover them.
To avoid losing your content, it’s recommended to download or transfer your live videos as soon as possible.
So, Facebook’s new live video policy means that if you don’t act, your streams will disappear forever.
Thankfully, you’ll get a 90-day warning before deletion, giving you time to download or back up your content. Take advantage of this window to download, save, or re-upload your videos elsewhere before they’re lost for good.
By staying proactive, you can ensure your valuable live streams remain accessible long after Facebook's 30-day limit.
