The fastest way to download a Facebook photo
Right-click the photo you want to download, then select Save image as (on Windows) or Save image (on Mac). Choose where you want to save it on your computer, and Facebook will download the full-resolution version. On a phone, press and hold the photo until a menu appears, then tap Save image or Download depending on whether you use iPhone or Android.
This method works for photos in your feed, on someone's profile, or in an album. The photo saves to your device's default download folder or photo library, and you can move it anywhere afterward. Facebook does not prevent you from saving photos that are publicly visible or that you posted yourself.
If the right-click menu does not appear, or if you are using an older browser, try the alternative methods below. Some photos may have restrictions if the person who posted them changed their privacy settings after uploading, though this is rare.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click any visible Facebook photo and select Save image as to download it to your computer in seconds.
- On iPhone or Android, press and hold the photo until a menu appears, then tap the save or download option.
- Facebook saves the full-resolution version of the photo, not a smaller preview, so the downloaded file will be high quality.
- You can download photos from your own profile, your friends' profiles, or public pages without needing permission.
- If right-click does not work, open the photo in a new tab and save it from there instead.
Downloading photos on Windows computers
Open Facebook in your web browser and find the photo you want to save. Click on it once to open it larger, or leave it in your feed. Right-click directly on the photo itself—not on the name or caption below it.
A menu will pop up with several options. Look for Save image as and click it. A window will open asking where you want to save the file. By default, Windows suggests your Downloads folder. You can change this to Pictures, Desktop, or any other folder on your computer. Type a new name for the photo if you want, or keep the name Facebook assigned it. Click Save and the download begins.
The file will be a JPG or PNG image that you can open in any photo viewer, email to someone, print, or edit in photo software. If the right-click menu does not appear, your browser may be blocking it. Try opening the photo in a new tab instead: right-click the photo and select Open image in new tab, then right-click on that new page and save from there.
Downloading photos on Mac computers
Find the photo on Facebook and right-click it (or control-click if your mouse has only one button). The menu that appears will say Save image instead of Save image as, but it works the same way. Click Save image.
Your Mac will ask where to save the file and suggest your Downloads folder by default. You can choose a different location like Pictures or Desktop. The photo downloads immediately to that folder. If you want to rename it before saving, click the dropdown menu next to Save as and type a new name.
On newer Macs, you may also see an option to Copy image instead of saving it. This copies the photo to your clipboard, and you can then paste it directly into an email, document, or photo editing software without saving a separate file first.
Downloading photos on iPhone
Open Facebook in Safari or the Facebook app and find the photo. Press and hold your finger on the photo for about two seconds until a menu appears. Do not tap—press and hold.
Look for an option that says Save image or Add to Photos. Tap it, and the photo will save to your iPhone's Photos app in the Recents album. You can then open Photos, find the image, and move it to a specific album if you want to organize it.
If you are using the Facebook app and the menu does not appear, try opening the photo by tapping it once to make it full-screen, then press and hold again. Some older iPhones may show slightly different wording in the menu, but the save option is always there.
Downloading photos on Android phones
Open Facebook and locate the photo you want to save. Press and hold your finger on the photo until a menu pops up. This usually takes about one to two seconds.
Tap Download image or Save image depending on your phone model and Android version. The photo will save to your phone's default download folder or directly to your Photos app. You can then open your file manager or photo gallery to find it and move it to a specific folder if needed.
If the menu does not appear, try tapping the photo once to open it full-screen first, then press and hold. On some Android phones, you may need to tap a three-dot menu icon in the corner of the photo instead, which will show a download option.
What to do if the standard method does not work
If right-clicking or pressing and holding does not show a save option, try opening the photo in a new tab or window. Right-click the photo and select Open image in new tab (on computer) or tap the three-dot menu and select Open in new tab (on phone). Once the photo is alone on the page, try saving it again using the same method.
Another option is to take a screenshot of the photo instead. On Windows, press the Print Screen key, open Paint, and paste it. On Mac, press Command-Shift-4 and drag to select the photo. On iPhone, press the side button and volume up button together. On Android, press the power and volume down buttons together. Screenshots save at lower quality than the original photo, so this should be your last resort.
If you still cannot save the photo, it may have a privacy restriction set by the person who posted it, though this is uncommon. In that case, you can ask the person directly to send you the photo, or take a screenshot if you need it urgently.
Understanding file size and quality
When you download a Facebook photo using the right-click method, you get the full-resolution version that Facebook stores, not a compressed preview. This means the file will be larger than what you see on your screen, but the quality will be better if you want to print it or edit it later.
Most Facebook photos are JPG files, which are compressed but still high quality for everyday use. Some photos may be PNG files, which take up more space but preserve more detail. The file size usually ranges from 100 kilobytes to several megabytes depending on the photo's resolution and how many people are in it.
If you download many photos and want to save storage space on your device, you can compress them later using free online tools or photo software. But the original download from Facebook will always be the best quality version available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download photos that someone else posted?
Yes, you can download any photo that is visible to you on Facebook. If you can see it in your feed or on someone's profile, you can save it. However, respect the person's privacy and copyright—downloading a photo does not give you the right to post it somewhere else or use it for commercial purposes without permission.
Will the person know if I download their photo?
No. Facebook does not notify users when someone saves or downloads their photos. Downloading is different from screenshotting, which some apps can detect, but standard downloading leaves no trace.
What if I want to download multiple photos at once?
Facebook does not have a built-in feature to download entire albums at once. You will need to download each photo individually using the right-click method. If you need to save many photos, this can take time, but it is the only way to get full-resolution versions directly from Facebook.
Can I download photos from a private profile?
Only if the person has added you as a friend or made the photos visible to you. If you cannot see the photo on Facebook, you cannot download it. If someone blocks you or changes their privacy settings, you will lose access to photos you previously downloaded, but the files on your device will remain.
What format will the downloaded photo be in?
Most Facebook photos download as JPG files, which work on any device and can be opened in any photo viewer or editor. Some photos may be PNG files instead. Both formats are standard and widely supported, so you should not have any trouble opening or sharing the downloaded file.