Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms, with billions of users worldwide. The Facebook mobile app allows users to access their Facebook account on the go from their smartphones. However, some users may wish to take a break from Facebook mobile or deactivate it completely from their iPhones.
Deactivating Facebook mobile on iPhone is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. It removes the Facebook app from the home screen and disables notifications and background processes related to the app. The user’s Facebook account remains active and can still be accessed from the mobile browser or other devices.
Here are the key things to know about deactivating Facebook mobile on iPhone:
Reasons to Deactivate Facebook Mobile
There are several reasons why someone may want to deactivate Facebook mobile on their iPhone:
- Reduce distractions – The constant notifications and urge to scroll can be distracting and time-consuming.
- Digital detox – Taking a break from social media for a mental health reset.
- Focus on other tasks – Removing the temptation to access Facebook frequently in order to focus on work, studies, family time, etc.
- Privacy concerns – Worries over data privacy and how much information Facebook collects about user activity.
- Move to other platforms – Transitioning to other social media platforms and no longer using Facebook regularly.
What Happens When You Deactivate
When you deactivate Facebook mobile on iPhone:
- The Facebook app icon disappears from your home screen.
- You stop receiving push notifications from the Facebook app.
- Background app refresh and location access are disabled for Facebook.
- Your Facebook profile, messages, groups etc still exist and can be accessed on the mobile browser or other devices.
- When you reinstall the app later, your previous data and login details will restore.
So deactivating removes the app functions but does not delete or disable your actual Facebook account.
Step-by-Step Guide to Deactivate Facebook Mobile on iPhone
Deactivating the Facebook app on your iPhone is a quick and straightforward process. Follow these steps:
1. Locate the Facebook App
First, find the Facebook app icon on your iPhone’s home screen. It likely looks like a white “f” on a blue background. If you have a lot of apps installed, you may need to swipe through several home screens to locate it.
2. Long Press the Icon
Once you’ve found the Facebook app icon, press and hold your finger on it until all the icons begin to jiggle or shake. This indicates you’ve entered “jiggle mode” and can now manage and delete apps.
3. Tap the “X” to Delete
With your finger still held down, you should see a small “X” appear in the top-left corner of the Facebook app icon. Lift your finger and tap on the “X” to initiate deleting the app.
4. Confirm Deletion
A popup will appear asking you to confirm that you want to delete the Facebook app. Tap “Delete” to confirm and remove the app from your iPhone’s home screen.
5. Wait for Deletion
Give your iPhone a few seconds to delete the Facebook app. The icon will disappear once the deletion process is complete. That’s all there is to it!
Reinstalling the Facebook App
If you later decide you want to reactivate Facebook mobile on your iPhone, reinstalling the app is easy:
- Open the App Store app.
- Search for “Facebook” in the search bar.
- Tap “Get” next to the Facebook app listing to reinstall.
- Once installed, open the app and log in with your Facebook account details.
Your previous Facebook data and login info will be restored once you sign back in.
Accessing Facebook in Other Ways
Remember that deactivating the mobile app does not deactivate your actual Facebook account. You can still access Facebook in the following ways while the native app is removed from your device:
Mobile Browser
Open the Safari web browser on your iPhone and navigate to www.facebook.com to access your profile, news feed, messages, etc. Basically all the normal Facebook functions, just through the mobile browser instead of the app.
Desktop Browser
You can access your Facebook account by visiting www.facebook.com on a desktop or laptop computer browser when you are near one. Log in with your credentials as normal.
Other Mobile Devices
If you have the Facebook app installed on other mobile devices like an iPad or second smartphone, you can continue accessing it there while deactivated on your primary iPhone.
Facebook Messenger
The separate Facebook Messenger app will remain functional on your iPhone, allowing you to send DMs and messages to friends.
Notifications
While deactivated, you will stop getting push notifications from Facebook on your iPhone. To see new notifications, you will need to manually open Facebook in one of the above ways rather than having them sent to your device.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you are having any trouble deactivating or reactivating Facebook for iPhone, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Restart your iPhone – Turn your device fully off then back on.
- Check for Facebook app updates – Updates may resolve bugs affecting deletion.
- Toggle airplane mode – Enable and disable airplane mode to refresh connections.
- Try using cellular data instead of WiFi – Cellular can sometimes work better.
- Contact Facebook support – Reach out to Facebook for additional help.
Following these steps should get Facebook mobile successfully deactivated or reactivated on your iPhone in most cases.
Conclusion
Deactivating the Facebook mobile app provides a simple way to take a break from Facebook while maintaining your account access through other methods. Just locate the app, long press the icon, tap delete, and confirm to remove it from your iPhone’s home screen. When ready to return, simply reinstall the Facebook app from the App Store.
With Facebook mobile deactivated on your iPhone, you can focus your attention elsewhere without notifications and distractions. But you can still check back in via mobile browser, desktop, or other devices at any time. Hopefully this guide covered everything you need to know about successfully deactivating Facebook mobile on your iPhone!