Many iPhone users have experienced an issue where the Facebook app seems to scroll up on its own while browsing the feed. This can be frustrating as it causes you to lose your place and have to scroll back down. There are a few potential reasons why this happens.
Possible Causes
Here are some of the main possibilities for why Facebook may scroll up by itself on iPhones:
- Touch screen glitch or hardware issue
- App software bug
- Unintended contact with the screen
- Page loading causing the feed to jump
Let’s explore each of these in more detail.
Touch Screen Glitch
One potential cause is a glitch with the iPhone’s touch screen hardware or software. The touch screen consists of a digitizer that detects input and controller chips that process the touch data. It’s possible for glitches in either system to cause inadvertent scrolling.
For example, a faulty digitizer might register a touch event even when you haven’t touched the screen. This could trigger scrolling without you interacting with the device. Similarly, corrupted touch input data or a bug in the software that interprets touch input could cause scrolling to happen on its own.
Facebook App Bug
Since the issue seems isolated to Facebook, a bug or problem with the Facebook app itself could also be to blame. As apps become more complex, more bugs tend to creep in. If a coding error occurs in a part of the Facebook app that handles touch input or scroll position, it might lead to the feed scrolling unexpectedly.
Bugs in the Facebook app have caused similar erratic behavior like typing or commenting when users haven’t meant to. So it’s reasonable to think an app bug could also be behind the scrolling problem.
Accidental Interaction
In some cases, the unexpected scrolling might be caused by the user accidentally interacting with the screen without realizing it. For example, if you hold the phone loosely while reading the feed, your fingers may inadvertently graze the screen and trigger scrolling.
Hair, earbuds, or phone cases rubbing against the touch screen could also inadvertently cause scrolling. So in some instances, it may not be an issue with the device or app but accidental user interaction.
Page Loading Jumps
Finally, the normal mechanics of Facebook’s news feed may be responsible for some of the unpredictable scrolling. As you scroll down the feed, Facebook dynamically loads additional stories. This process of loading new content can sometimes cause the feed to rapidly jump or bounce.
So some amount of erratic scrolling may simply be caused by page loading behavior rather than a technical problem per se.
Troubleshooting Steps
If you’re experiencing this issue of Facebook scrolling by itself on your iPhone, here are some troubleshooting steps to try:
Restart the iPhone
As with many technical glitches, simply restarting the iPhone is a good first troubleshooting step. Restarting will clear any corrupt temporary data and reset all running apps and services.
- On an iPhone 8 or earlier, hold down the Power button until you see the “Slide to Power Off” prompt. Swipe the prompt when it appears.
- On an iPhone X or later, hold down either volume button and the side button until the “Slide to Power Off” prompt appears. Swipe the prompt when it appears.
Allow the phone to fully power down before turning it back on again. This refresh often resolves temporary software glitches.
Force Quit and Relaunch the Facebook App
If restarting the iPhone doesn’t fix it, try force quitting just the Facebook app:
- Double-click the Home button to open the app switcher.
- Swipe up on the Facebook preview to force quit the app.
- Open Facebook again to relaunch the app.
Doing this will restart Facebook’s processes which may resolve any memory issues causing problems.
Check for Facebook App Updates
Make sure the Facebook app is updated to the latest version. App updates often include bug fixes that could resolve scrolling problems:
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right.
- Scroll down to see if any updates are available for Facebook.
- If an update is available, tap Update next to the Facebook listing.
Updating to the newest app version is an easy step that could fix things.
Reset Network Settings
Resetting your network settings might help if the issue is network-related:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset.
- Tap Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
- Confirm that you want to reset settings when prompted.
Your Wi-Fi networks and other network settings will reset, which could fix network-related causes.
Back Up and Restore iPhone
If other troubleshooting steps don’t resolve the scrolling problem, try backing up your iPhone then wiping it and restoring from the backup:
- Connect your iPhone to iTunes and create a backup.
- On the iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Set up the iPhone again, then restore the backup you created.
This will give your iPhone a fresh start, eliminating any problematic software or settings that may be causing the issue.
Get a Screen Replacement
If all else fails, you may need to get the iPhone’s screen replaced. Since the scrolling issue could potentially stem from a hardware defect with the touch screen, replacement may be necessary if software troubleshooting doesn’t work.
You can set up mail-in iPhone screen replacement through Apple Support or go to an Apple Store for in-person screen repair. Just be prepared to pay the standard out-of-warranty screen replacement cost if your iPhone isn’t covered.
Preventing Future Occurrences
To help prevent Facebook from spontaneously scrolling in the future, here are some tips:
- Be mindful of anything touching the screen like hair or phone case edges.
- Make sure your hands are clean when handling the iPhone.
- Use a screen protector to prevent hardware flaws.
- Update Facebook regularly to get the latest bug fixes.
- Restart your iPhone on a weekly basis.
- Monitor battery health and consider a replacement if degraded.
While occasional errant scrolling may be unavoidable, being proactive with regular restarts, app updates, and general device care can help minimize occurrences.
Why Facebook Scrolling Happens
To summarize, here are some of the key reasons Facebook may scroll unexpectedly on your iPhone:
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Touch screen defect | Hardware flaw causes false touch input. |
| App bug | Coding error in the Facebook app. |
| Accidental interaction | User inadvertently touches screen. |
| Page loading jumps | Feed jumps as new stories load. |
So in review, scrolling can be caused by hardware problems, software bugs, accidental user actions, or just normal feed behavior. With the right troubleshooting steps, the majority of cases can be resolved or at least minimized.
Conclusion
Spontaneous scrolling on Facebook for iPhone can definitely be annoying. But in many instances, it ends up being a temporary glitch or user error that can be fixed fairly easily. Make sure to keep the app updated, restart your phone regularly, and be aware of anything accidentally contacting the screen.
Hardware problems are less common, but may require professional repair if software troubleshooting doesn’t get the job done. With some diligence, you should be able to get the issue under control and enjoy Facebook without erratic scrolling interruptions. Just be patient, try resetting different components, and don’t hesitate to contact Apple Support if problems persist.