Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced a major change in how live videos are stored on the platform. Starting February 19, 2025, all new live broadcast videos will only be available for 30 days before being automatically deleted. This marks a shift from Facebook’s previous policy, which allowed indefinite storage of live videos.
According to Facebook, the decision aligns with industry standards and user engagement trends. The company stated that most live video views happen within the first few weeks of posting.
“Because most live video views occur within the first few weeks of broadcasting, we’re updating how long live videos can be stored on Facebook. 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,” Meta explained in a blog post.
As part of this transition, Facebook will also delete all live videos older than 30 days. The deletion process will occur in waves over the coming months.
To prevent permanent loss, Facebook has introduced tools that allow users to download or transfer their live videos before removal. Users will receive notifications via email and in-app, giving them 90 days to take action before their archived live videos disappear.
To help users retain their content, Facebook has provided multiple options to download and store live videos:
- Single Download – Users can manually download live videos from their profiles, Facebook Pages, or the Meta Business Suite.
- Bulk Download – Users can download multiple live videos at once by accessing their Activity Log.
- Cloud Transfer – Facebook now allows users to transfer their live videos directly to cloud storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive.
For those who want to keep portions of their live videos beyond the 30-day limit, Facebook is offering an option to convert clips into reels. This allows users to save their favorite moments and keep them on their profiles indefinitely.
“If you would like to keep your favorite moments from your live videos on your page for more than 30 days, you can clip shorter moments from your live video and share them as reels on Facebook, giving them a home on your profile page for friends, family, and community to enjoy,” the company stated.
Facebook is also providing an option to postpone video deletion for an additional six months. Users who wish to extend the timeline must follow these steps:
- Tap the notification about live video deletion.
- Select “Learn More.”
- Choose “Postpone the deletion.”
- Tap “Postpone” to confirm.
If users do not act within the extended six-month period, their live videos will be permanently deleted from the platform.
Facebook’s decision to auto-delete live videos signals a shift toward more streamlined content management. While the policy change may inconvenience some users, Meta believes it will improve the overall live video experience. Users are encouraged to take advantage of the available tools to download, transfer, or convert their videos before the changes take effect.
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