Facebook is updating its live video storage policy. Users are advised to download their live videos after receiving a notification before they are deleted forever.
In a post on February 19, 2025, “Facebook for Creators” announced a vital change in Facebook’s storage policy that affects live videos.
“Live videos created on/after February 19 can be replayed, downloaded, or deleted for up to 30 days from the time they’re broadcast, after which they’ll be deleted,” according to the post.
However, Facebook also indicated it would provide content creators with new and seamless tools to download live video content, particularly those older than 30 days.
IMPORTANT: Please note that the archival live videos will not be deleted immediately but will occur in waves over the next few months. Facebook will send a notification prompting users to start downloading. Once the notification is received, you’ll have 90 days to download the videos to your device, transfer them to your cloud storage, or convert them to a new reel. Afterward, they will be deleted.
Facebook explained that they changed the storage policy because most live video views occur during the first few weeks of broadcasting. This may also be a way for Facebook to save valuable storage space, which has been increasingly scarce.
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Facebook shared various ways of downloading your previously shared live videos:
For single download
- Download an individual live video from your profile, Page, or Meta Business Suite.
- Find the Videos tab on a profile or a Page on your device. On a page, if you’re on the web, find the Live tab. You may need to click More to see the Live tab.
- Choose the video you want to download.
- Open the fullscreen view, then click […] and choose “Download video.”
- You can also download one or more live videos from your Page or profile’s Activity Log. To download your live videos, select “Your live videos,” then choose a date range to see videos available to download.
For bulk download
- On your computer or device, tap the notification to enter into the download flow.
- Tap “Download live videos.”
- Decide the location (computer or device) to download to and the date range for the live videos.
- Tap “Create File.”
To transfer live videos
- On your computer or device, tap the notification to enter into the download flow.
- Tap “Transfer live videos.”
- Tap “Where” to select the transfer destination.
- Choose your linked cloud storage provider (ex: Dropbox or Google Drive).
- Tap “Save.”
Convert Facebook Live videos to Reels
Users also have the option to save their favorite moments from their live videos by trimming longer videos to shorter clips and sharing them as reels on Facebook. Remember, reels have a time limit of up to 90 seconds, so you can’t simply convert long videos into reels.
Postponing the deletion
Facebook also offered an option to postpone the deletion of old live videos for another six months. However, once that grace period lapses and you don’t download your live videos, they will all be removed and no longer available.
To extend time, follow the below steps:
- On your computer or device, tap the notification to enter into the download flow.
- Tap “Learn More.”
- Tap “postpone the deletion.”
- Tap “Postpone” to confirm.