Facebook for Android now works with native code, leaving behind the HTML5-based version. The result is a more agile app in openings, transitions and photo viewing, with lower latency and better memory managementIf you don't have it yet, you can download it from the Play Store at this location. link.
At the time, the creator of the social network itself announced it, Mark ZuckerbergFacebook was working hard to make its app for devices using the Android operating system work better… and it seems they've found the right solution: they're abandoning HTML5 and switching to using native code from Google's operating system. And the results are available to users.
You can now download the new version from the Play Store in this link, and the first ones who have done it (or have been updated) confirm that the improvements are evident and that, now, the functionality and speed of the application is much greater than what it offered before. That is to say, it seems that from Facebook they have fully hit the mark.
Just yesterday in The Verge, one of the company's engineers named Philip Fung, reported that the new update would bring great performance improvements. Indicating that when opening photos or reviewing the timeline it was up to “twice as fast”And that even the start of the application was“noticeably faster”. Perhaps, in this way the development for Android ceases to be the worst of all that existed.
An arrival announced
Apart from the confirmation by Zuckerberg, already in summer a update for iOS which also began to include native code, it already let us intuit the path that Facebook was taking and, from what is shown now, Android also wanted it to be the same way.
In addition to the inclusion of the native code in the new Facebook application, which has hardly changed aesthetically, other options that were in the client for Apple devices have been added in the specific for models with Google's operating system. For example, the banner called New history and, also, they have improved internal protocols so that memory management is much better.
Therefore, we are faced with a deep draft update and, as Fung pointed out, now Facebook for Android is much more “solid"If you've already installed the new version, have you noticed any improvement?"
What changes with the native app on Android
The move to native code reduces load times, accelerates the feed scroll and makes opening photos and profiles instantaneous. The Resource consumption to make the app more stable in input ranges.
The interface maintains its navigation logic, but the gestures and transitions are more fluids. The bar of New history makes it easy to read recent posts without having to reload.
By relying on system components, the app inherits functions such as dark mode, accessibility, auto-correction, and haptic feedback when supported by the device.
Key features built into the app
The native experience coexists with services that expand the Facebook ecosystem. Among them: Marketplace to discover articles and boost your hobbies; a feed you can customize to see more of what you like; AI goal to consult information instantly; Reels tailored to your interests and a search more interactive.
To connect, you can join groups, will follow creators, manage how you interact with your Friends, Send private messages about publications and making calls voice or video from your mobile.
By sharing, you have creative tools for Reels, templates that speed up editing, creation of Stickers and images with generative AI, privacy settings in the profile and stories to quickly capture moments. Some features may vary by region and app version.
See conditions and privacy in official centers: Endings, Privacy Policy and in the Meta Safety Center.
Why native code makes a difference
Native apps are usually lighter, faster and more reliable because they use the system's own controls (buttons, lists, text fields) and take advantage of graphics acceleration and compiler optimizations. This reduces friction compared to hybrid solutions, improves the accessibility and provides immediate compatibility with new platform features such as Topics or new animations.
On Facebook for Android this translates into fewer blocks, better use of RAM and greater visual consistency with your phone. Additionally, native code minimizes the overhead of intermediate layers, so navigating your feed or stories feels more straightforward.
The native application of the social network would be almost finished and would currently be in its final tests to be officially presented.
It looks like Android will finally have a native Facebook app on its operating system. According to Engadget, citing a source close to the company, The social network app is almost ready and is currently undergoing final testing before being officially presented.
As the media stated, once the review was passed Facebook's native app should be available immediately to users of the internet giant's operating system. through the Google Play Store.
The idea of working on a new Android app was born after Mark Zuckerberg claimed last September that Facebook's mobile versions based on HTML5 caused slowness and stuttering on mobile devices. Because of this, the company decided to work on an improved version that aims to offer a better experience with the social network to Android users.
Furthermore, the decision to launch a native application for Android is also linked to the fact that mobile phones are part of Facebook's main strategy, since 600 million of the social network's 1.000 billion active users log in to their profile from their phone or tablet.
Facebook for Android is now native and much faster
After months of waiting, the application of Facebook for Android is updated, making it a native version, offering better performance and speed.
This update was the one iOS received a few months ago, in which Facebook abandoned the HTML version in favor of an alternative that takes advantage of the device's resources. The difference is abysmal. open the photos It's now super fast, the scrolling experience is much faster, and the app works much better. These are some of the comments I can make after updating the app.
Otherwise, the application works the same, it has the same interface and the same features, only now the app has the performance we've come to expect. If the app doesn't appear on your device, visit the widget link below to download the app from the web version of the Play Store.
[appaware-app pname='com.facebook.katana']
If we were to ask Android users which app they dislike the most, Facebook would probably win the prize. In its early days, it was very slow and heavy, and after many years of tireless effort by its engineers, it can now be said that it is simply heavy.
There are many reasons to want to do without the standard official Facebook app: some do it to reduce their addiction to the social network, others don't want Zuckerberg's team tracking what they do and don't do, and others simply want to save the almost 100 MB of space it takes up and the not inconsiderable percentage of battery it takes with it. Whatever your reason, here are seven alternatives to continue accessing Facebook, but without its application.
Facebook.com
We're starting the list with an alternative that isn't an app per se and is, in fact, the most used by those who want to save space and battery on their phones: the web version of Facebook.
All you need to do is go to the address m.facebook.com in a decent browser and you'll get a similar experience to apps like Metal and Folio. The main differences are the rougher look and feel, and the lack of a floating bar, but otherwise you will continue to receive the notifications from Facebook if you allow it, in this case via the browser.
Facebook Lite
If you don't want to use the official, standard Facebook app for moral reasons, you probably don't want to install this one either, but if your motivations are purely related to the performance and network usage, Facebook Lite is a very good alternative to consider.
Unlike the applications we will see below, Facebook Lite is a native app It's not based on the web version, but instead obtains data directly from the source. It works correctly, although its appearance isn't very polished: The absolute priority is the lowest possible use of resources and data.
Metal
When talking about alternatives to the Facebook app, one of the names that always comes up is Metal. It's one of the most popular "wrappers," and a wrapper is an application that "wraps"—hence the name—the Facebook app. web version of Facebook to make it a little more bearable than just using the web version.
Its advantages also include support for Twitter’s most emblematic landmarks, the dark theme, the ability to send and receive messages (i.e. also replaces Messenger), it's very lightweight, just 3 MB in size, and has no ads of any kind. You couldn't ask for more.
Folio
Folio is another well-known Facebook wrapper. It's very similar in both functionality and appearance to Metal, as it's based on the web version of Facebook, integrated into a native app for ease of use. As an advantage, it also includes support for Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr and Google+.
Its functions include blocking by means of a PIN code, different Topics including a night mode and the Messenger replacementFolio has now been acquired by Friendly, which has its own alternative, as we'll see below.
Friendly
Like Folio, from the same company, Friendly is based on the web version of Facebook and Messenger. It is probably one of the wrappers what achieves appear more like a full native app, with an interface that is somewhat more differentiated from the previous applications.
Highlights include night mode, the ability to make text larger, and the various color themes that are easily applied and configured for highlight or hide posts according to certain keywords. It even has a ad blocker, although this is paid.
Swipe
Swipe is one of the latest alternative apps to Facebook, which we've talked about in the past. Since its initial launch, it has been regularly updated, fixing minor bugs and adding new features.
Today Swipe comes loaded with options such as security blocking using a PIN, the support for notifications, the topics and the way of battery saving. Some features, such as locking advertising or some themes require the Pro version, which costs about 3,09 euros.
Puffin for Facebook
We finish our list with Puffin for Facebook, a special version of the Puffin Browser. It's somewhat similar to the previous alternatives, although it's based on another browser There are some differences, some positive and some negative.
For example, it seems to be a bit faster and smoother when scrolling and uses Puffin's own cloud to save data and achieve a loading of the images fasterOn the other hand, the interface itself is limited to the top bar, which has some glitches and jumps while using it.
On Xataka Android | Why does the Facebook app take up so much space?
Facebook has updated its mobile app for Android devices, finally bringing a free HTML5 experienceThis means Android users have a native app, similar to what iOS users have been experiencing for the past few months, which in simple terms means you'll have a much faster app at your fingertips than the one you've had up until now.
The update allows you to use the application more quickly, photos open with a single touch and a new “New Stories” bar allows you to see more stories as they arrive without having to refresh.
The new Facebook for Android is now available on Google Play.
The native Facebook app on Android not only speeds up the experience, it also integrates modern services of the ecosystem (AI, Reels, Marketplace) and offers options for those who prefer lightweight alternatives or the web version. The choice will depend on whether you prioritize full speed, resource savings, or privacy.