Why Would You Want to Remove Facebook from Your Android Device?
There are a few reasons why you may want to completely remove Facebook from your Android device:
– Privacy Concerns – Facebook collects a lot of data about its users, and some people are uncomfortable with how much personal information Facebook gathers. Removing Facebook eliminates a major source of data collection.
– Productivity – The Facebook app can be distracting and time-consuming. Removing Facebook can help you focus on other tasks and be more productive.
– Storage Space – The Facebook app and its cache data can take up a considerable amount of storage space on your device. Deleting Facebook frees up storage for other uses.
– Performance – Facebook can slow down your device and drain your battery faster. Removing it may improve system performance.
– Dislike Facebook – Some people simply do not want Facebook on their phone out of personal preference.
How to Completely Remove Facebook App
Here are the steps to completely remove the Facebook app from your Android device:
1. Open the Settings app on your Android.
2. Tap on Apps or Application Manager (location varies by device).
3. Tap on Facebook in the list of apps.
4. Tap Uninstall and confirm to remove the Facebook app.
This will uninstall updates and remove the Facebook app from your device. However, it will not delete all Facebook data and account associations.
Deleting Facebook App Data and Cache
To delete the leftover Facebook data and cache after uninstalling the app:
1. Go to Settings > Storage.
2. Tap Cached data to view cached data for apps.
3. Tap on Facebook app and clear cached data.
4. Go back and tap on Internal shared storage.
5. Look for the Facebook folder and tap on it.
6. Select all contents of the Facebook folder and delete.
This will delete any residual Facebook app data and files left over after the uninstall.
Disassociating Your Facebook Account
Even if you delete the Facebook app and its data, your Android may still have your Facebook account associated with it. Here is how to remove that account association:
1. Go to Settings > Accounts.
2. Tap on your Facebook account.
3. Tap Remove account and confirm to disassociate the Facebook account.
This severs the connection between that Facebook account and your Android device.
Removing Facebook from Preinstalled Apps
Some Android devices come with Facebook preinstalled, either as a system app or part of a bundle. Here is how to disable or remove preinstalled Facebook:
1. Go to Settings > Apps or Application Manager.
2. Find Facebook in the list and tap on it.
3. If Facebook can be disabled, turn off the Enable toggle. This prevents Facebook from running or updating.
4. Alternatively, tap Uninstall updates which disables auto-updating.
5. If Facebook cannot be disabled or removed, your only options are to clear data/cache or use a different launcher.
This stops Facebook auto-running on your device, though some remnants may persist.
Using Android App Removal Tools
App removal tools for Android can delete apps and residual files that are hard to remove manually. Here are some recommended removal tools:
– BCUninstaller – Free app removal tool for Android. Can uninstall, freeze, and delete app data/cache.
– System App Remover – Removes preinstalled system apps, requires root access.
– AppCleaner – Cleans up residual files after uninstalling apps.
– SD Maid – Manage system files and orphaned data left by uninstalled apps.
These tools require you to sideload via ADB. Use caution when removing system apps, as it may cause instability.
Steps to Use an App Removal Tool:
1. Download and install the app removal tool on your Android device.
2. Open the tool and scan your device for removable elements.
3. Select Facebook app and any associated files/data within the tool.
4. Tap remove/uninstall and grant root permission if prompted.
5. Reboot device after removal process completes.
6. Verify Facebook app, data, and account associations are gone.
This allows you to thoroughly remove Facebook using dedicated removal tools. Be very careful when deleting system apps.
Performing a Factory Reset
As a last resort, performing a factory reset will remove Facebook along with all other apps and data on your Android device:
1. Back up any data you want to keep before resetting your device.
2. Go to Settings > System > Reset options.
3. Tap Erase all data (factory reset).
4. Tap Reset phone and confirm to erase everything.
5. Set up your device again after the reset process completes.
This will return your device to a clean, out-of-box state without any apps, accounts, or data on it. Only use factory reset if other removal methods fail.
Removing Facebook Services and APIs
Even after removing the Facebook app, some Facebook services and APIs may still be active on your device:
– Disable Facebook App Installer – Prevents reinstalling Facebook via Play Store.
– Remove Facebook App Manager – Disables Facebook services that run in background.
– Delete Account Manager – Sign out of integrated Facebook services like single sign-on.
– Turn off Facebook Notifications – Stops any remaining Facebook notifications.
– Revoke Facebook API permissions – Reset app permissions that access Facebook APIs.
Take these additional steps to fully disconnect your device from any Facebook services.
Using Alternate Versions of Android
Some alternate Android versions allow removing preinstalled apps:
– LineageOS – Open source OS, can uninstall system apps.
– /e/OS – De-Googled Android OS, removes Facebook apps.
– MIUI – Xiaomi OS lets you uninstall system apps.
– Fire OS – Amazon Android OS has no Facebook apps preloaded.
Installing these in place of stock Android lets you remove Facebook at the system level. Note that OS modifications may cause device instability or app incompatibility.
Blocking Facebook with Hosts File
You can use the hosts file to block access to Facebook domains and IPs:
1. Install a file manager with root access.
2. Navigate to /system/etc/hosts.
3. Add entries like:
127.0.0.1 facebook.com 127.0.0.1 www.facebook.com 127.0.0.1 m.facebook.com
4. Save changes and reboot device.
This will prevent apps and services from accessing Facebook domains. However, this method can also cause connectivity issues for other apps.
Conclusion
While Facebook can be deeply integrated into Android, there are many ways to fully remove it:
– Uninstall Facebook app and delete data/cache
– Remove Facebook account associations
– Disable/remove preinstalled Facebook apps
– Use app removal tools for complete cleanup
– Factory reset device to wipe Facebook and all other apps
– Disable underlying Facebook services and revoke permissions
– Install custom Android ROMs without Facebook
– Block Facebook domains via hosts file
Taking a combination of these steps will let you thoroughly erase Facebook presence from an Android device for privacy, security and productivity.