Facebook limits live video storage to 30 days, deletes older broadcasts

Menlo Park, CA, February 17, 2025 – Facebook announced on Tuesday that it will now store live videos on its platform for only 30 days. Under the new policy, all live broadcasts older than 30 days will be automatically deleted, with the change taking effect on Wednesday.

In a recent blog post, the company explained that the update is intended to “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.” Prior to this announcement, live videos were stored indefinitely.

Affected users will receive a notification before their content is removed, and they will be given a 90-day period to decide whether to retain their videos. Options include downloading the videos directly to their device, transferring them to a linked cloud storage service - such as Dropbox or Google Driveor - converting selected clips into new Reels that remain on their profile. Additionally, users who need extra time to secure their content can opt to defer deletion for up to six months, after which any unclaimed live videos will be permanently removed.

The new policy marks a significant shift from previous practices and comes as part of an ongoing trend among social media platforms. For example, Twitch stores past broadcasts for 60 days for its Partners, Affiliates, and Prime streamers, while regular streamers see their broadcasts archived for 14 days. In contrast, YouTube has maintained a practice of archiving live broadcasts indefinitely by converting them into regular videos, unless users choose to disable archiving.

As Facebook rolls out updated download tools designed to simplify bulk downloading of old live videos, the company is also positioning its Reels feature as an alternative way for users to preserve memorable moments from their live broadcasts. This move reflects the platform’s broader strategy to streamline content management and enhance user engagement with current features.

The implementation of these changes underscores Facebook’s efforts to modernize its content storage practices and adapt to evolving industry standards while balancing user needs and privacy concerns.