Facebook has announced a significant change to its live video policy, confirming that it will begin deleting users’ live broadcast recordings after 30 days, effective February 19.
The change means that users who go live after this date must download their videos before the 30-day expiration period ends, or risk losing them permanently. Previously recorded live videos older than 30 days will also be removed in waves over the coming months.
Why Is Facebook Making This Change?
According to Meta, the parent company of Facebook, the decision comes after analyzing user engagement with live videos. The company stated that “most live video views occur within the first few weeks of broadcasting,” making long-term storage unnecessary.
To help users prepare, Facebook will send email and app notifications before a video is deleted, giving them 90 days to download or transfer their recordings.
How to Save Your Live Videos
Facebook is offering several ways for users to download and store their videos before they are permanently removed. These include:
- Bulk Download: Users can request to download all their videos within a custom date range.
- Cloud Transfer: Facebook provides the option to move videos directly to cloud storage services such as Dropbox or Google Drive.
- Manual Download: Individual videos can be saved by navigating to:
- Activity Log → Filter for “Your live videos” → Select and download.
- Videos tab or Live tab on a profile, Page, or Meta Business Suite → Open the video in fullscreen → Click the three-dot menu → Select “Download Video”.
Postponing Video Deletion
For those who need more time, Facebook is offering a postpone request option, which extends the deadline by six months. Users can access this feature by:
- Opening the deletion notification they receive.
- Tapping “Learn more” in the message.
- Selecting “Postpone” to delay deletion.
What This Means for Facebook Users
The policy change is expected to impact content creators, businesses, and influencers who rely on Facebook Live to engage with audiences. While the move aims to clear storage of outdated content, it also pressures users to take action quickly to preserve important videos.
For now, Facebook plans to delete old live recordings gradually, giving users time to adjust to the new system. Those who frequently use Facebook Live should take steps now to back up their content before the February 19 deadline.
