Want to open Facebook links in a browser of your choice instead of in the app? Here's how to do it.
The Facebook app opens links in the built-in browser by default. This is because it's affordable and works without weighing you down with additional setup steps.
However, not everyone wants to use Facebook's mobile browser. If you want to open Facebook links in your favorite browser, you've come to the right place. Here is a step by step guide on how to disable the Facebook mobile browser.
The pros and cons of the in-app browser
As much as you don't want to use Facebook's in-app browser, it has its good sides too. One of the main advantages of the browser is its convenience. Unlike using a third party browser such as Google Chrome or Firefox, there is no need to wait for it to load.
After tapping the link, you are good to go. There's no need to switch screens and you'll have your content as soon as you click the link. While other browsers may be faster in practice, you can benefit from using the built-in browser by not switching between apps.
The downside to all this convenience is the limited sharing options offered by Facebook's mobile browser. You cannot share an interesting article with your Twitter followers or any other platform immediately. The only way to do this is to copy the link, exit the app, open the platform where you want to share the link and paste it.
Also, you can't use the built-in Facebook browser if you want to open multiple links in different tabs for later consumption. This is because as soon as you tap the x button to return to your feed, there is no way for you to return to the webpage unless you find the link you want to view and reopen it.
It's not as convenient as using a third party browser which will instantly open your preferred platform in an instant with the link already in the input window.
Now that you understand the advantages and disadvantages of using Facebook's mobile browser, let's show you how to disable it.
How to deactivate the Facebook mobile browser
Disabling the Facebook browser is simple, but it has its limitations. The biggest downside is that on iOS, the latest version of the app doesn't have the required settings. Unfortunately, you can't download old versions of apps through the Apple App Store. So if you're on iOS, you'll need to stick with Facebook's built-in browser.
But if you are on Android, download the latest Facebook app from the Google Play Store and follow these steps to disable the in-app browser:
- Tap the hamburger menu at the top right.
- Scroll down and select Settings and privacy .
- Toccata Settings and scroll down to the section Media and contacts .
- Toccata Media and contacts .
- Turn the option on or off Links open externally on position On .
Facebook will now ask you to select a preferred browser when you tap a link to an external website. But, if you have a default browser, the links will automatically open within it.
