If you are using Facebook on an iPad and notice that the shortcut bar along the bottom of the app is missing, there are a few things you can try to get it back.
What is the Facebook Shortcut Bar?
The Facebook shortcut bar is the row of icons along the bottom of the Facebook app that provides quick access to different parts of Facebook. On an iPad, the icons usually include News Feed, Messages, Notifications, Menu, and Groups.
Having this shortcut bar makes it easy to quickly switch between the main Facebook features without having to go back to the main menu each time.
Why is the Shortcut Bar Missing?
There are a few common reasons why the Facebook shortcut bar may not be showing up on your iPad:
- Your iPad is using an outdated version of the Facebook app that doesn’t include the shortcut bar.
- You have an accessibility setting enabled that hides the shortcut bar.
- The shortcut bar is hidden because you are viewing a full-screen page like Watch or Games.
- There is a temporary glitch causing the shortcut bar to disappear.
How to Get the Facebook Shortcut Bar Back
Here are some things you can try to make the Facebook shortcut bar reappear on your iPad:
Update to the Latest Facebook App
Make sure you have installed the latest version of the Facebook app from the App Store. Older versions may not have the shortcut bar at the bottom.
- Open the App Store on your iPad.
- Tap your profile icon at the top right.
- Scroll down and tap “Updates” to see apps with available updates.
- If Facebook has an update available, tap “Update” to install it.
Check Accessibility Settings
Some accessibility features like VoiceOver can hide the shortcut bar. Go to your iPad Settings to make sure this is not enabled:
- Open Settings and tap Accessibility.
- Make sure “VoiceOver” is toggled off.
- Also check that Zoom and other accessibility features are not enabled.
Close Full Screen Modes
While viewing full screen pages like Watch or Games, the shortcut bar will be temporarily hidden. To get it back:
- Tap the X icon to close the full screen mode.
- The shortcut bar should now be visible again at the bottom.
Force Close and Reopen the App
If the shortcut bar is still missing, try force closing and reopening the Facebook app:
- Double tap the Home button on your iPad to open the multitasking view.
- Swipe up on the Facebook app preview to force close it.
- Open the Facebook app again from your Home screen.
The shortcut bar should now be visible at the bottom of the app.
Reinstall the Facebook App
If you still can’t get the shortcut bar back, uninstalling and reinstalling the Facebook app may help resolve any glitches:
- Hold down on the Facebook icon until it starts wiggling.
- Tap the X to delete the app.
- Open the App Store and search for “Facebook”.
- Tap Get to reinstall the app.
Once you open the newly installed Facebook app, check if the shortcut bar is now visible.
Contact Facebook Support
If reinstalling the app doesn’t bring back the shortcut bar, you may need to contact Facebook support:
- Open the Facebook app and tap Menu > Help & Support.
- Choose the option for “Report a Problem.”
- Select “Something’s Not Working” and explain the issue with the shortcut bar.
The Facebook support team may be able to help troubleshoot why the shortcut bar is not appearing.
Customizing the Shortcut Bar
Once you get the shortcut bar back, you may want to customize which icons appear for quick access:
- Open Facebook and tap the More tab on the shortcut bar.
- Tap “Edit” at the top.
- Drag icons into your preferred order in the shortcut bar.
- Tap “Done” when finished.
Now you can easily access your favorite Facebook features from the shortcut bar at the bottom of the app.
Troubleshooting Other Facebook App Issues
If you are experiencing other problems with the Facebook app for iPad, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Check that your iPad meets the minimum requirements for running the latest Facebook app.
- Make sure your iPad software is updated to the newest iOS version.
- Reset the Facebook app under Settings > General > Reset.
- Clear the app cache and data under Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
Reinstalling the app can also help resolve many Facebook issues you may encounter on the iPad. Contact Facebook support if you need additional help troubleshooting.