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Here are 3 reasons you should uninstall Facebook now

androidpit FACEBOOK i quit
© nextpit

The Facebook app for Android has become a monster piece of software over the years. It’s clear that as manufacturers improve phone hardware, Facebook increases the power of its mobile app to squeeze more performance out of it. After deleting the app and living a happy life without it, I’d like to present three reasons you should uninstall Facebook now.

facebook teaser new format
Have you considered deleting the Facebook app? / © ANDROIDPIT

1. It drains resources

Facebook has been a large, resource-draining app for quite some time now. Opening the app can lead to long loading times on older devices, RAM consumption is high compared with most other apps and scrolling through your news feed chews up a lot of data.

There is also the issue of battery life. Powering such a resource-intensive app requires a fair chunk of power, so you’re likely to see a tangible difference in how long your phone lasts on a single charge with and without Facebook installed.

Facebook is an essential app for many Android users, so the tax on system and battery performance might be a compromise that many of you are willing to make. But for other Facebookers, this might be more compromise than they want.

AndroidPIT Facebook icon
The Facebook app is nice, but comes with compromises. / © ANDROIDPIT

2. Facebook mobile is great

But there’s an alternative. You could uninstall – yes, uninstall – the Facebook mobile app. That would cut out most of the compromise. What does a Facebook user do when they don’t have the app?

Use Facebook mobile. In other words, Facebook in Google Chrome. There are some neat things about it. Firstly, on signing into Facebook, Chrome will ask if you want to receive push notifications directly from Facebook. If you opt-in to this, you’ll be kept updated even when you aren’t using the browser.

AndroidPIT allow Facebook notifications in Chrome browser
Chrome lets Facebook send you push notifications. / © ANDROIDPIT

The design of Facebook mobile is also pretty slick. It loads at similar speeds to the app, the design is similar as well, plus videos don’t autoplay (if this is something you aren’t a fan of).

But bear in mind that some features are missing if you use Facebook in a browser. This includes Instant Articles and auto-liking posts right from the notification shade. For that, you’ll need to keep the app.

3. Phone performance will improve

I deleted the Facebook for Android app a while ago and haven’t regretted it. I’ve used Facebook in Chrome ever since and, during my testing, phone performance and battery life improved noticeably. I also lived without notifications for a time and, I have to say, it was quite nice to have a break from all the buzzing my phone used to do.

AndroidPIT Facebook app uninstall
Getting rid of the Facebook app noticeably improved performance. / © ANDROIDPIT

My usual daily driver is a Moto X (2nd Gen) and this phone has a relatively small battery. If your phone has a small or old battery, then you might see immediate results after uninstalling Facebook. 

And hey, you could always reinstall again if you miss it.

Would you try living life without the Facebook app? If you have, did it make a difference to performance? Tell us about it in the comments. 

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Go to comment (46)
Omar Hamwi

Omar Hamwi
Head of Content

Omar has been a dedicated Android user since 2011. He began his career as a print journalist before a move into digital editing. He is passionate about technology and, since relocating from Sydney to Berlin, now shares his passion as part of the AndroidPIT team. His mission now is to help readers of AndroidPIT find the best hardware and software.

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46 comments
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  • Saif Samir 1
    Saif Samir Apr 25, 2017 Link to comment

    I deleted the Facebook app a long time ago. I've used "Febu" ever since, and happy with it.


  • 4
    Scott Johnson Feb 14, 2016 Link to comment

    Tinfoil for Facebook is good. Light, small, no ads and no wakelocks.


  • 3
    karthik Feb 2, 2016 Link to comment

    Facebook Lite app for android is alternative, moreover it works with 2G network with little RAM usage.


  • 2
    Andre Ng Jan 24, 2016 Link to comment

    I install messenger and also fb lite. If not only for the chat stickers and the instant loading, I would hv used fb lite only. Lite loads real slow on a 2G network and it will slow me down from replying to an emergency message.


  • 2
    Terry Martini Jan 22, 2016 Link to comment

    I use tinfoil Facebook. It takes up far less space. Also works great.

    Scott Johnson


  • 4
    Angelo Jan 22, 2016 Link to comment

    I uninstalled the Facebook app from my phone eons ago because it was hogging my internal memory (over 100 MB), it was keeping my phone awake (I had to root my phone to delete Facebook because it was a system app, then I reinstalled it and used Greenify to keep it at bay), and it was draining my battery even though I hardly use Facebook at all! So even after taking all those steps, I STILL ended up uninstalling it!

    Anyway, FACEBOOK LITE is what I use now. It's footprint is less than 3 MB including data. So it saves a TON of space. But there are a number of significant features that it excludes if you are a Facebook app junkie. Yet, it is perfect for me! But I heard that it is unavailable in the US. I live in Africa...I thought it was available everywhere.


  • Alec B. 12
    Alec B. Jan 21, 2016 Link to comment

    ...took off fb ....now got a fab 'new' old mobile ....so far no probs and my mob doesn't heat up so quickly + my 2800mah battery lasts 3 x more ....thanks AndroitPit !!


  • 18
    Deactivated Account Jan 21, 2016 Link to comment

    There is difference in using Facebook app & on browser. Information don't sink properly. I received notifications on browser but when I checked it in the app there was nothing. I don't know why this is happening.

    Scott Johnson


  • 2
    is h Jan 21, 2016 Link to comment

    I 'uninstalled' it (disabled it) from both my phone and tablet months ago cos i got fed up with the facebook app 'lying' to me and hiding articles from me which I could see when I was using the browser to view it on my pc (where I've got facebook purity addin installed in firefox which disables some of facebook's more annoying features). use the browser on my phone to view it now. Saves memory too, but does make sharing articles to it harder as facebook isn't in the sharing menu now - have to use the facebook icon on articles (not hard, just a change to what i do)


  • Chad_Higgins 15
    Chad_Higgins Jan 21, 2016 Link to comment

    I just use it in my ES File Explorer and it includes messenger so I don't need to install it separately. Big memory saver over the FB app! Try it.


  • Mikko I. 1
    Mikko I. Jan 21, 2016 Link to comment

    i would love to do uninstall Facebook, only if you can suggest a good alternative that could upload multiple photos and videos that is still in hi-res format..


  • Parvind Chahal 21
    Parvind Chahal Jan 21, 2016 Link to comment

    fb app size should be around 25 mb.......n should not use much space from ram


  • 4
    David Marshall Jan 21, 2016 Link to comment

    I uninstalled FB about year ago and I have been using the browser. I did it for space reasons and I've not missed it at all. The app is unnecessary and far to large.

    Scott JohnsonChad_Higgins


  • PATTERZ 9
    PATTERZ Jan 21, 2016 Link to comment

    What about Facebook Messenger?


    • Parvind Chahal 21
      Parvind Chahal Jan 21, 2016 Link to comment

      its ok......dont use much space...better thn fb app


    • 4
      Scott Johnson Feb 14, 2016 Link to comment

      Tinfoil for Facebook takes care of Messages as well.


  • 49
    storm Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    Facebook's abusive snooping and data fishing is reason enough to skip their app. This is true of most apps that just supply a website's content. There's no good reason to download a dedicated app that's digging through your data and using your resources for their purposes. The browser is a better way to do it and provides you with greater protection.

    GT Ohh


  • Mark G. 28
    Mark G. Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    I've never been a fan of FB, iam able to live a perfectly normal life without the hassle and need for constant attention. Seeking the next "like" forever checking to see if you missed some trivial news about someone you've never met but call a friend.

    GT Ohh


    • 4
      Scott Johnson Feb 14, 2016 Link to comment

      You don't use facebook but read an article about the best alternative facebook app? How very odd.


  • Carmelo Rivera 20
    Carmelo Rivera Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    I have "Facebook Phobia". I get nervous and anxious with just the thought of using Facebook.

    Moni MihailovMark G.storm


  • Mullet man 5
    Mullet man Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    PRo time .. add a widget bookmark shortcut to your homescreen!


    • Martin Harvey 7
      Martin Harvey Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

      or just bookmark to homescreen

      Scott Johnson


      • 4
        Scott Johnson Feb 14, 2016 Link to comment

        I've done that for weather sites instead of an app.


  • Mullet man 5
    Mullet man Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    Ive been facebook appless for a long time! the only thing i cant do is upload a video. I watch me emails for updates!


  • 2
    Julie G. Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    I've uninstalled the app as soon as I got the phone. Back then, I wasn't even using Facebook much at all, so why keep the app? Since then, I've started using Facebook again, but always from my browser. The two main downside of not using the app is that you can't upload videos into the browser (if you can, please let me know how!) and tagging people doesn't always work. Other than that, for having tried both the app and the mobile site over time, I much prefer the mobile site as it shows me the most recent post in my news feed, as opposed to the app, who seems to be mainly putting the news on shuffle before showing them on my page. Now Messenger is a whole other story... why make such battery and resource-hungry apps?


  • 2
    sam singh Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    There is another alternative it's Facebook Lite goggle it and you can side load it's not in the appstore if you live in the US only offered internationally......


    • 4
      Angelo Jan 21, 2016 Link to comment

      I was just about to also comment on Facebook LITE and I saw your post. I uninstalled the Facebook app from my phone eons ago. Facebook Lite is what I use now. It's footprint is less than 3 MB including data. So it saves a TON of space. But there are a number of significant features that it excludes if you are a Facebook app junkie. Yet, it is perfect for me! And I did not realize that it is unavailable in the US. I live in Africa...I thought it was available everywhere.


  • 2
    Neitesh Taral Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    Facebook app is being a JUNK. ._.

    Parvind Chahal


  • hassan bouchta 10
    hassan bouchta Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    I think im gonna try this

    Omar Hamwi


  • 5
    Sjaak Schulteis Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    I uninstalled it about two years ago and ever since I only run it in a browser. The phone is raster, more free memory and no more annoying notifications. What a bliss!

    Neitesh Taral


  • Kenya 2
    Kenya Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    Metal for Facebook is the best, or tinfoil hat for Facebook. Nobody has to use the facebook app. Disable the built in Facebook app and your phone will run like a champ. You will walk still have access to the Fb inbox feature and after years, I can't find anything that doesn't work.

    Stephen Allen


  • Stephen Allen 6
    Stephen Allen Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    You're quite right about FB Android app draining battery resources quickly! On Marshmallow I kept seeing that WiFi was taking up the majority of battery time. I couldn't figure out what it was, putting it down to Android v 6.0, so when the update came I was hopeful. Long story short, I had to uninstall FB app in order for WiFi usage when out and about to go down. Obviously FB was doing aggressive tracking, even more so than Google.

    Scott Johnson


  • 2
    C Eastwood Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    Uninstalled a while back but then reinstalled since the mobile Web page couldn't cope with photo uploads. If this is now improved I may try again but tbh I don't have an issue with fb sucking resources usually.


    • 4
      Scott Johnson Feb 14, 2016 Link to comment

      Tinfoil for Facebook will upload multiple photos at the same time.


  • Walter Fillingham 2
    Walter Fillingham Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    I only ever use Chrome for accesing Facebook mobile as it gives me notifications etc even when Chrome switched off. My battery now lasts almost twice as long and my mobile works very fast ever since I deleted the awful Facebook app. I do use the Facebook Messenger though

    Stephen Allen


  • GrimJimCrowley 14
    GrimJimCrowley Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    I uninstalled it a couple of weeks ago based on advice from another similar article. The mobile web version is not as nice, and I do miss the convenience that the app provides. But with my tiny Galaxy S6 battery in mind, it's been a change for the better.

    Stephen Allen


  • DEIVIDAS Dailide 2
    DEIVIDAS Dailide Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    I uninstaled this shit app and my tablet is alot of faster, and battery stay live longer

    Walter Fillingham


  • 6
    Brent Walsh Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    Got rid of it 6 months ago, best thing I ever did. Just log into the Web version a couple of times a day. Less annoying and less creepy intrusions.

    Walter FillinghamRichard COmar Hamwi


  • Barry Padgett 2
    Barry Padgett Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    There's also the Facebook Lite app, available in the play store.

    Stephen Allen


    • Stephen Allen 6
      Stephen Allen Feb 25, 2016 Link to comment

      It is an official FB app, Barry?


  • 4
    Richard Bird Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    Easy for you to say, but as most of these dictatorial self serving manufacturers provide phones with poxy Face Book and Twitter embedded how do you propose I uninstall it?

    Ken ReidRichard CCheryl Pierce


    • 6
      Brent Walsh Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

      If it's pre installed, just disable it, it's. not rocket science.

      Stephen AllenWalter FillinghamRichard C


    • Ken Reid 1
      Ken Reid Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

      I can't uninstall either


    • 2
      is h Jan 21, 2016 Link to comment

      go to the app like you're going to uninstall it, stop the app, clear the data and disable it (it'll ask if you want to go back to the base version, or somesuch words, say yes) this'll reduce its size, stop it autorunning and memory-hogging

      Stephen Allen


  • Martin Harvey 7
    Martin Harvey Jan 20, 2016 Link to comment

    I uninstalled FB a while ago and the only downside is being unable to share directly with the app. This should be noted.

    Stephen Allen


    • 4
      Scott Johnson Feb 14, 2016 Link to comment

      I don't have Facebook but can share with Tinfoil for Facebook so maybe other alternative app will allow sharing?

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