The Facebook app, one of the most downloaded and used social media platforms globally, offers much more than what meets the eye. Many users are familiar with the basic functions—posting status updates, liking photos, chatting with friends, and scrolling through the newsfeed.
However, there are numerous hidden features within the Facebook app that can drastically improve your experience, enhance privacy, and even help you stay organized.
In this article, we’ll uncover 10 lesser-known features of the Facebook app that you’re probably missing out on. Let’s dive in and explore these secret tools and functionalities that can make your Facebook experience even better.
10 Hidden Features of the Facebook App You’re Probably Missing
1. Customize Your News Feed with “Favorites”
Facebook’s algorithm curates your news feed based on your interactions with other users, but did you know you can have more control over what you see? The “Favorites” feature allows you to hand-pick friends, Pages, and Groups whose posts will be given priority in your news feed.
To customize your favorites:
1. Open the Facebook app and tap on the three horizontal lines (menu).
2. Scroll to “Settings & Privacy,” then tap on “News Feed Preferences.”
3. Select “Prioritize Who to See First” and add your preferred accounts to the “Favorites” list.
This way, you can make sure you don’t miss important posts from close friends or favorite pages while also reducing the clutter from less relevant content.
2. Schedule Posts in Advance
Whether you’re running a business or just want to organize your social media life, scheduling posts in advance is a great feature that many Facebook users overlook. This allows you to post content at a specific time without needing to be online.
To schedule a post:
1. Go to your Facebook profile or page.
2. Tap on the “What’s on your mind?” box to create a post.
3. Write your post as usual.
4. Instead of hitting “Post,” tap the three dots in the upper-right corner and select “Schedule.”
5. Pick the date and time for the post, then tap “Schedule.”
This feature is particularly useful for business owners, content creators, or anyone who wants to maintain an active presence on Facebook without constantly managing posts.
3. Use Facebook as Your Page
If you’re managing a business or personal page, you can switch to “View as Your Page,” allowing you to see what your page looks like to the public or specific audience segments. This ensures your content looks just right and gives you a chance to assess how your followers interact with your posts.
To switch:
1. Go to your profile.
2. Tap the three dots under your profile picture.
3. Select “View as Your Page.”
You can now browse Facebook as your page, making sure everything from posts to photos is appropriately displayed.
4. Manage Your App Preferences and Data Usage
Facebook uses a lot of data, and managing your data usage can help you avoid high mobile data bills. In addition, adjusting certain settings can improve performance on slower internet connections. You can manage Facebook’s data usage, limit autoplay videos, and adjust the app’s background data consumption.
To adjust these settings:
1. Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu).
2. Scroll to “Settings & Privacy” and select “Settings.”
3. Under the “Media and Contacts” section, select “Autoplay” and set it to “Never Autoplay Videos” or “Only on Wi-Fi.”
4. You can also find “Data Saver” in the settings to limit background data usage.
Managing your data preferences can enhance your experience, especially if you use Facebook on mobile data or in areas with slower internet.
5. Search Through Your Past Activity
Ever wanted to quickly find that funny meme or photo you liked a year ago? Facebook allows you to search through your entire activity history, including comments, likes, and even interactions with other users.
To search through your activity:
1. Open the app and tap on the three horizontal lines (menu).
2. Go to “Settings & Privacy” and select “Activity Log.”
3. In your Activity Log, you can filter your past activities by type, date, and more.
This feature is especially helpful if you’re looking for something specific you interacted with long ago and don’t want to scroll endlessly through your feed.
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6. Hide Posts or Unfollow Without Unfriending
Sometimes, you may want to stop seeing updates from certain friends or pages without unfriending or unfollowing them. Facebook allows you to mute or hide posts from specific people, groups, or pages while still maintaining the connection.
To hide posts from specific people or pages:
1. Tap the three dots next to a post in your feed.
2. Select “Snooze for 30 Days,” “Unfollow,” or “Hide Post.”
This lets you temporarily stop seeing updates from that person or page without causing any social awkwardness.
7. Check and Control Who Can See Your Posts
Privacy is a major concern on Facebook, but many users aren’t aware of the fine control the platform offers over who sees their posts. You can adjust the audience for each post, allowing you to share content with friends, specific groups, or even limit visibility to only yourself.
To control post visibility:
1. When creating a post, tap on the audience selector (the little globe icon).
2. Choose your preferred audience (Public, Friends, Only Me, or Custom).
For more granular control over your profile:
1. Go to “Settings” in the menu.
2. Select “Privacy,” then adjust who can see your future posts and who can send you friend requests.
This feature ensures that you have more control over your personal information and can limit it to those who matter most.
8. Create Custom Friend Lists
If you want to group friends based on interests or your level of interaction, Facebook allows you to create custom friend lists. These lists can be used to target posts, invites, or messages to specific people, or to categorize your friends in a way that suits you.
To create a custom friend list:
1. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu).
2. Go to “Friends,” then “Create List.”
3. Add the friends you want to group together.
Custom lists allow you to share certain posts only with specific people, or send event invitations to select friends without spamming your entire friend group.
9. Use the “Memories” Feature
Facebook’s “Memories” feature is a nostalgic way to revisit old posts, photos, and status updates from previous years. It helps you relive milestones, funny moments, and even see how your life has changed over time.
To access your memories:
1. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) and select “Memories.”
2. You’ll see old posts, pictures, and memories from past years, along with options to reshare, comment, or react.
This feature is a great way to stay connected with your past and even reconnect with old friends by revisiting memories you shared together.
10. Use Facebook’s Secret “Dark Mode”
Facebook’s dark mode is a feature designed to reduce eye strain, especially in low-light conditions. This interface adjustment switches the background of the app from white to dark, making it easier on the eyes, especially during nighttime scrolling.
To enable dark mode:
1. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu).
2. Scroll down to “Settings & Privacy” and select “Settings.”
3. Under the “Preferences” section, tap “Dark Mode” and switch it on.
Dark mode is not only gentler on your eyes, but it can also save battery life on devices with OLED screens, making it a practical choice for frequent Facebook users.
FAQs
How do I stop getting notifications from Facebook?
To stop Facebook notifications, go to your settings by tapping the three lines in the app, then select “Settings & Privacy” > “Settings” > “Notifications.” From there, you can choose which notifications you want to receive, or turn them off entirely.
How can I see who viewed my Facebook profile?
Facebook doesn’t allow users to see who has specifically viewed their profile, but you can see who has interacted with your posts through likes, comments, and shares.
Can I use Facebook to monitor my app usage?
Yes, Facebook’s “Activity Log” can show you your interactions, which includes what apps and websites you’ve connected to your Facebook account. You can use this to track your activity across Facebook services.
Can I use Facebook for business marketing?
Absolutely! Facebook offers a comprehensive platform for business marketing, from creating a business page to running advertisements, engaging with customers, and analyzing insights.
How do I find old posts on Facebook?
You can access your old posts by going to the Activity Log (found under “Settings & Privacy”). You can search for specific posts or filter by date or type.