If one social networking site has prevailed over all others, it has to be Facebook, which is user-friendly. In fact, the features on this platform are so simple that you can see your youngest sibling to your elderly grandparent on the app. And the fun fact is they do not stress about how they will handle it.
Whether you want to remain in contact with those you know or learn about people who are essentially strangers on the other side of the earth, Facebook allows you to do so. We are highly social, meaning we have social needs, and Facebook has done a fantastic job meeting those needs since its creation.
Aren’t we all aware of Facebook’s penchant for sending out updates? If you’ve been a long-time app user, you’ve undoubtedly seen how the interface design has changed several times over the years. So, it’s reasonable to assume that the app is constantly looking for innovative ways to advance, and they do so by either upgrading or cutting the features.
The Nearby Friends feature, for example, is a popular feature that allows friends to organize a speedy reunion at any time, even at inconvenient hours. However, there have been several reports in the recent month that this function is either not working or is no longer visible on their Facebook accounts.
If you’re having similar trouble, let’s look at what’s triggering the error and how we can resolve it.
Nearby Friends feature on Facebook: Everything you need to know about it
When Facebook unveiled the Nearby Friends option in 2014, it truly revolutionized its motto of sharing long-distance friendships into a close-knit and personal experience. This feature allows you to connect with people in your area and meet up with them. This function also permits you to follow their whereabouts in real-time, saving you time and effort from having to call them every 5 minutes because they are running late.
Additionally, if you enable this option, you will be notified when your friends are within range of your current location on a regular basis. And getting a coffee with a buddy you’ve been itching to meet up with for months has never been more straightforward if they are already near you, courtesy of this feature.
You should also be aware that for this feature to operate, you and your friend must start sharing your location. Yes, as you may have predicted, it’s a two-way street. Even though you might find the function intrusive, you get to choose who you want to share your location with.
Also, since you are responsible for your own security, it is logical to state that this feature is optional and that you do not have to use it if you are not comfortable with this idea.
Nearby Friends feature not working or showing on Facebook: Possible reasons
So, we’re all convinced of the Nearby Friends feature’s value and its benefits to those who have used it on the platform over the years. But have you used this feature in recent times?
Many Facebook users have reportedly stated that the feature simply does not work or even shows up in their accounts. Facebook revealed in a statement to users that the Nearby Friends feature would be dropped entirely from their site. So, if you don’t see it, it’s because the feature has been withdrawn from the app starting May 31, 2022.
The notification circulating on the Facebook app for Android and iOS users have no significant information. Thus, the reasons for this drastic shift are unexplained. Many argue that this step was taken since the app is always under inspection that it collects a lot of user data.
There have also been speculations that the nearby friends feature and weather alerts were less prevalent on the app, which might be another reason for their departure.
How to Fix “Nearby Friends” Not Working or Showing on Facebook
Since the app’s developers have entirely ditched the feature, we don’t believe there are many opportunities for bringing it back. Even if people complain about the feature being removed, they must be doing it for the platform’s advantage.
However, if you want to enjoy it a little more, you may try reinstalling the previous version of the Facebook app, which is the one you had prior to May 31, 2022. While we cannot guarantee that the feature will be available permanently, you should try this route. After all, isn’t anything better than nothing?
While we’re on the topic, we should warn you that you might be disappointed if you’re an iOS user. It is because this approach is only verified on an Android device. So, if you own an Android, let’s look at the procedures you’ll need to do to reclaim the Nearby Friends feature.
Step 1: To begin with the steps, head over to your Facebook app and delete it from your device.
Step 2: To download the previous version of the app, visit this Website.
Step 3: On this page/tab, tap on the Download APK, and then a prompt will appear, warning you that the File might be harmful.
Tap on download anyway and wait for the installation to get complete successfully.
Step 4: Once the download is complete, open the app and head over to the Nearby Friends feature.
Also, there are a few things you should note. First, if you are downloading an APK for the first time, you should allow your device to install unknown apps.
Here is the complete message that you might get: For your security, your phone is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source. You will be given two options to choose from: Cancel and Settings.
If you are unsure how you go about the process, here are the steps you must follow.
Step 1: Choose the Settings option.
Step 2: Upon doing so, you will be directed to the Install unknown apps tab and turn the toggle on for the Allow from this source option.
Step 3: You will get a warning alert, read through the onscreen instructions, and then give your confirmation. Once you are done, tap on OK to continue.
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