When you tap to open the Facebook app on your iPhone, it immediately closes. Or maybe you’re scrolling through your newsfeed, the screen on your iPhone blinks, and you’re back staring at your apps on your home screen. In this article, I’ll explain why the Facebook app keeps crashing on your iPhone or iPad and how to keep the problem from coming back again.
Just like any other app, the Facebook app is susceptible to bugs. As good as it is, the software on your iPhone can crash, which can lead to problems as serious as your iPhone getting too hot or battery draining too quickly, as well as less-severe, but still annoying problems like this one.
The question of why the Facebook app keeps crashing on your iPhone is less important than how to fix it, so we’ll focus on the fix in this article. If you do want to put on your technical hat and view the crash logs, go to Settings -> Privacy -> Analytics -> Analytics Data and look for Facebook or LatestCrash in the list.
How To Stop The Facebook App From Crashing On Your iPhone Or iPad
All of the solutions we’ll talk about work for both iPhone and iPad, because the underlying problem lies between the Facebook app and iOS, the operating system that runs on both devices. I’ll use an iPhone in this article, but if the Facebook app is crashing on your iPad, this guide will help you too.
1. Restart Your iPhone
Restarting your iPhone has the potential to fix minor software problems. All of its programs shut down naturally, giving them a fresh start when you turn your iPhone on again. The way to restart your iPhone varies based on which model you own.
Restart An iPhone X Or Newer
Press and hold the side button and either volume button until slide to power off appears. Swipe the power icon from left to right to shut down your iPhone. Wait 15–30 seconds, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
Restart An iPhone 8 Or Older
Press and hold the power button until slide to power off appears. Swipe the power from left to right to turn off your iPhone. Wait 15–30 seconds, then press and hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears.
2. Update Your iPhone’s Software
One of the most common reasons why the Facebook app crashes is that the iPhone’s software is out-of-date. We are not talking about the Facebook app itself here – we’re talking about the operating system.
To make sure your iPhone’s software is up-to-date, go to Settings -> General -> Software Update. If an update is available, install it. iOS updates always contain bug fixes, so with few exceptions, it’s always a good idea to update your software. If your software is already up-to-date, move on to the next step.
3. Update The Facebook App
Next, let’s make sure the Facebook app itself is up-to-date. Open the App Store and tap your Account Icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Scroll down to the list of your apps with updates available.
If you see Update next to Facebook, tap it and wait for the update to download and install. You can also tap Update All at the top of the list to update all of your apps at once.
Once the update has finished, check to see if the problem is resolved.
4. Clear The Facebook Cache
Clearing out the Facebook cache can help the app run more efficiently. If Facebook keeps crashing as soon as you open the app, you might not be able to complete this step — but it’s worth a try!
Open Facebook and tap the Hamburger menu in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy. Then, tap Settings -> Browser. Finally, tap Clear next to Your Browsing Data.
5. Delete The Facebook App and Reinstall
If the Facebook app is still crashing, it’s time to put the old “unplug it and plug it back in” philosophy to work. A lot of the time, you can fix the Facebook app by deleting it from your iPhone and downloading it fresh from the App Store.
To delete an app, press and hold on the app icon on the Home screen until the quick action menu appears. Tap Remove App -> Delete App -> Delete to uninstall the app on your iPhone.
Next, open the App Store, tap Search at the bottom of the screen, type “Facebook” in the search box, and tap the cloud button to download it again.
6. Reset All Settings On Your iPhone
There isn’t a magic bullet that fixes all software problems on iPhones, but the next best thing is Reset All Settings. Reset All Settings restores your iPhone’s settings to factory defaults, but it doesn’t delete any of your apps or personal information.
To reset all settings on your iPhone, go to Settings -> General -> Transfer Or Reset iPhone -> Reset -> Reset All Settings, enter your passcode, and tap Reset All Settings.
7. Restore Your iPhone
If the Facebook app is still crashing on your iPhone, you probably have a software problem that can only be fixed by restoring your iPhone. Unlike Reset All Settings, an iPhone restore erases everything from your iPhone. The process goes something like this:
First, back up your iPhone to iCloud, iTunes, or Finder. I prefer to use iCloud, and if you’re out of iCloud storage space, check out my article that explains how to backup your iPhone without ever paying for iCloud storage again.
After your iPhone is backed up, connect your iPhone to a computer to restore it. I recommend a type of restore called a DFU restore that goes deeper and can resolve more issues than a typical restore. If you’ve never done it before, check out my article that explains how to DFU restore your iPhone.
When the restore finishes, you’ll use your iCloud or iTunes backup to put your personal information back on your iPhone. When your apps finish downloading, the Facebook app problem will have been resolved.
Facebook App: Fixed
You’ve fixed the Facebook app and it’s no longer crashing on your iPhone or iPad. You know that it’s important to keep your iPhone software and the Facebook app up to date, and the problem is most likely fixed for good. I’d like to hear about your experiences fixing the Facebook app in the comments section below, and if you ran into any snags along the way, I’ll be around to help.
The Facebook icon wouldn’t work on my iPad, I did exactly what you said, delete it and download again. It worked, thanks so much
Hi all. Switched off the iPad – really switched it off, and after counting to ten, switched it on again. Works fine now.
(Counting to ten was the hard part ? )
It’s 1/21/19 and I’m at the restore iPhone 6 point and still not working. I’m fearful of going forward because of these past comments.
Mine started yesterday, Oct 4,2018 on my ipad with 10.3.3 and all apps are updated…I did everything several times with no luck…soon as I try to open the app it’s closed down immediately…only on my ipad..mary
Today is oct 2 2018. Struggling wither FB crashing on my iPhone 7. I have tried all suggested solutions. Nothing working. What are the latest ideas?
Thank you!! I had to do everything you suggested but did not have to do the final suggestion about reinstalling my whole phone! The resetting the settings finally fixed my Facebook crash! Thank you
Aug 2018. iphone 7 suddenly started having this issue. Did all of the above steps including completely wiping my phone, uninstalling FB and restoring phone and reinstalling FB. Still have the issue. Only with Facebook.
Having the same problem as the rest of you with FB just shutting down and going straight to my home page. Sometimes my News Feed page just stays white, sometimes it will have one post and that’s it. Does not affect the other choices, ei.: notifications, etc.Tried uninstalling and reinstalling. Nothing. MY Ipad has been in vertical position all the time so nothing there to help. Hope someone comes up with an answer soon.
This Worked For Me This site and at least a dozen or more I looked at since my iPhone started doing this all say to do the same thing. Nothing helped. Do you guys just plagiarize each other to sell yourselves? Almost go to the point of restoring my phone. Tried Opening Facebook through Safari rather than the FB app (after uninstalling and installing FB several times) and saw it looked exactly like it did opening FB from the app, not like it looks through a web browser. Still crashed too. Appears Safaria may have been recently corrupted, perhaps with… Read more »
Ive done all of the above and Facebook is still shutting off. Any other suggestions?
I did all of the Above and FB continues to crash/ shutdown
Bulls***- ive Done it all- how much more full of s*** can they get ?
7-4-18 Facebook on laptop is fine but crashes after 3 seconds on iphone8-(brand new). Tried all the above several times- still no go – now I’m pissed
Didnt work still crashing and I reinstalled it!
My wife’s iPhone 6s Plus started crashing in Facebook. The battery would die very quickly. I played around with all of the suggestions here and elsewhere. I finally just started trying things. Here is what fixed the issue. Go into Settings, Display & Brightness. Change View from Zoomed to Standard. After this, Facebook is once again working correctly and the battery is not draining at an alarming pace. For some reason Facebook app was eating up all of the CPU power when the Zoom view was set. Now all is well. Hope this helps someone else. It was frustrating trying… Read more »
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I followed rule nr 2 and that took care of my problem (for not at least). Thank you!
Go to settings, delete FB account on iPad or phone. Delete FB app. Power down device. Reboot. Go to App Store and downloadatest FB app. Open app and log into your account…FIXED finally after 2 annoying weeks where no other suggestions worked!
I did everything above and nothing work, the app keeps crashing. Any ideas would be appreciated!
has anyone figured out the issue and how to reslove it? my mom is having the same issue its seems its just her account that casues the app to crash
My ipad facebook did the same. I did all the above recommendations and could not fix problem. I went to facebook.com on Safari and was able to access my facebook account with out it crashing. I did not use the app.
Vertical makes it work or use Safari and going to the real Facebook and that works
My I pad is the same. It happened after the update on 16 February 17
I am having the same problem, started crashing on my iPad since 20/2/17. It seems like I’m just going to have to wait until Facebook resolve the problem?
Vertical works
Mine has crashed also.. on my iPad..if I put anyone else’s details in it’s fine !!
Notice the dates below. Mine was the same 2/17/17, when I updated the Facebook app. I’ve also done everything except the total reset. The last time I did that on my iPhone for another Verizon issue, it took a lot of time to put things back in place. This seems to be a Facebook problem, but there is no way to communicate this to the company or ask for assistance. Any ideas?
My iPad is doing the same thing. How can it get fixed?
My Facebook on my iPad is doing the same thing. It just keeps crashing. Anyone figure out how to fix it??
My wife’s IPad started shutting down on 2-16 also. Tried it all but nothing corrected it.
When can solve face book app alway turn back to home screen. This is the app problem after update app on 16/2/2017, hopefully be solve by Facebook company soon or get new update.????
Tried it as well and Facebook still crashes 🙁
I fought it for two days, tried EVERYTHING! I was getting so frustrated! Then I see that it works if iPad is vertical not horizontal. Good grief. WTH????
None of your suggestions worked. However, in efforts to clean up my iPad, I deleted numerous (over 100) conversations in Messenger. Not sure if this is a coincidence but Facebook is now working properly. We’ll see how long this lasts.
Having the same problem. Started 2-15-17. FB crashes every time I open on iPad. Have tried all the suggestions and nothing has worked.
Same for me Feb 16 2017. Must be a Facebook issue?
I had tried everything I read about FB crashing since 2/16/17. Finally I read to turn it vertically, and after hours trying to fix it, turning it vertically worked. I was aghast at that simple fix. I will use it like this for awhile. Yeah
So the Facebook app will work when you have it vertically just not horizontally. I’ll do it that way for now.
Mine started crashing on my Ipad air Feb 17th I have done all the above.
Thanks I did all this but it worked when I view it vertically, but not when I turn it horizontally
Facebook only works on my iPad if I hold it vertical, if the turn it horizontal it crashes
Hi my Facebook also crashes on my ipad but on my Samsung phone everything is fine. I am very frustrated as I have tried everything mentioned, please help
I have the same as everyone else since Thursday 16 Feb,, Facebook crashes and returns to home screen as soon as get on it, have tried deleting and reinstalling it but nothing appears to work
Mine crashes also since 2/16/17 on my iPad … I have updated software, I shut off and shut down, I’ve deleted and re downloaded.
Facebook is updating their servers for iPad users it keeps crashing to avoid the server usage and you should receive an iPad Facebook update soon
My mom’s ipad has had the same issues since yesterday, Feb 16. We’ve tried all the above, and it’s still happening. Grrr…
Yes my crashed on my iPad on the same day as the rest ! But my iPhone is working fine ! Any ideal why so many people are having problem since 16/02/2017 & how to fix it ?
Tried all of the above, none of them worked. My iPhone is working fine…but FB on my iPad has been crashing since yesterday. 2/16/17. From the comments I’m reading, it seems to be happening to several others. Please, please advise….
Me too, fb crashes on ipad since yesterday 16 Feb 2017. Even rebooted ipad, still fb crashes. Please advise.
So, I know this is an old post, but it seemed pretty worthwhile to try. Unfortunately, after all of the above, facebook still crashes, returns to the home screen, on my wife’s original Ipad Mini. If you have any new ideas, they would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.