Uninstalling the latest Facebook update can be a bit tricky, but it is possible. Facebook does not make it easy to downgrade to a previous version, but there are a few methods you can try to remove the latest update and go back to an older version of Facebook that you prefer.
Why Would You Want to Uninstall a Facebook Update?
There are a few main reasons why you may want to uninstall a Facebook update:
- You don’t like the changes in the new update and want to go back to the previous version
- The new update is buggy and causing problems for you
- A feature you relied on is gone in the new update
- The new update is draining your phone’s battery faster
- You want to opt out of specific new features or permissions
Unfortunately, Facebook does not let users selectively uninstall specific features. Your only option is to revert to a previous version entirely.
Can I Uninstall Facebook Updates on iPhone or Android?
The process for uninstalling Facebook updates is different for iPhone versus Android devices.
iPhone/iOS
There is no direct way to uninstall updates on iPhone. Apple does not provide the ability to downgrade apps once they have been updated. However, there are a few workaround methods you can try (discussed below).
Android
The process is easier on Android. You can directly uninstall updates and revert to a previous version of the Facebook app:
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Tap Apps & notifications.
- Tap See all apps.
- Scroll down and tap Facebook.
- Tap the three dots icon in the top right.
- Select Uninstall updates.
This will revert the Facebook app back to the original version that came pre-installed on your device. Unfortunately, you cannot pick and choose which version to uninstall back to – it’s all or nothing.
How to Uninstall Facebook App Updates on iPhone
There are three main methods you can try to uninstall a Facebook update on iPhone:
1. Delete and Reinstall the App
- Delete the Facebook app from your iPhone.
- Reinstall the Facebook app from the App Store. This will install the latest version again, but may get rid of any bugs or issues caused by the latest update.
- If the issues persist, delete Facebook again and wait. Check the App Store periodically to see if a new update has been released that fixes the issues.
2. Use App Admin Tweak (Jailbroken iPhones Only)
If your iPhone is jailbroken, you can use the App Admin tweak. This allows you to downgrade apps to older versions from the App Store.
- Add the HackYouriPhone repository to Cydia.
- Install App Admin from Cydia.
- Delete Facebook and reinstall it from the App Store.
- When prompted to choose a version, select the one you want to install.
3. Restore Facebook from an iTunes Backup
- Connect your iPhone to a computer with iTunes.
- Make a backup in iTunes.
- Go to Settings > General > Reset on your iPhone and choose “Erase All Content and Settings.” This will wipe your phone back to factory settings.
- Set up your iPhone again and restore the backup you just made. This will install the version of Facebook that you had when you made the backup.
How to Uninstall Facebook App Updates on Android
The process for uninstalling a Facebook update is simpler on Android than iPhone. Here are the steps:
- Open the Settings app on your Android.
- Tap Apps & notifications (or Apps).
- Tap See all apps (or App info).
- Scroll down and tap Facebook.
- Tap the three dots icon in the top right corner.
- Tap Uninstall updates.
This will revert the Facebook app back to the factory version that came pre-installed on your device. Unfortunately, you cannot pick and choose which version to revert to.
Troubleshooting Facebook Update Issues
If you are experiencing issues after updating Facebook, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:
- Force stop the Facebook app and clear its cache/data.
- Restart your phone.
- Check for any pending Facebook updates and install them.
- Update your phone’s operating system.
- Disable auto-update for Facebook.
- Report bugs to Facebook.
- Uninstall and reinstall the Facebook app.
If none of those steps resolve the issues you are seeing, your only recourse may be to uninstall the latest Facebook update. Hopefully the uninstall guides above help you to revert back to the previous version of Facebook you were using.
Should I Uninstall Facebook App Updates?
In general, it’s recommended not to uninstall major app updates like Facebook. Updates often contain important bug fixes, performance improvements, and security patches. However, sometimes app updates introduce more problems than they fix, which may justify downgrading.
Factors to consider when deciding whether to uninstall a Facebook update:
- How severe are the issues you’re experiencing?
- Are many other users reporting problems with the update?
- Does the update introduce privacy/security concerns?
- Are you missing critical features from the previous version?
- Is Facebook working to resolve the update issues?
You can also report any significant problems with the latest Facebook update directly to Facebook’s support team. If enough users complain, Facebook may push out a fix more quickly.
In general, try to avoid uninstalling updates unless absolutely necessary. But if the latest Facebook update is negatively impacting your experience, downgrading to the previous version may be your best option until the issues are resolved.
Conclusion
Uninstalling Facebook updates is tricky, especially on iPhone/iOS due to Apple restrictions. But in some cases, it may be necessary to downgrade Facebook if a buggy update is causing major problems. On Android devices, you can directly uninstall updates and revert to a previous version. For iPhones, you’ll need to delete and reinstall the app, use a jailbreaking tweak like App Admin, or restore Facebook from an iTunes backup. Overall, uninstall Facebook updates judiciously and only when absolutely needed. Reporting issues directly to Facebook can also help get problems resolved faster. With the guides above, you should be equipped to remove any troublesome Facebook updates if necessary.