Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with over 2.8 billion monthly active users as of 2021. Whether you want to stay in touch with your friends and family, share your photos and videos, join groups and communities, or follow your favorite celebrities and influencers, Facebook has something for everyone.
However, if you are using an older iOS device, such as an iPad mini or an iPhone 4s, you might have trouble accessing the latest version of the Facebook app from the App Store. This is because Apple has stopped supporting iOS 9.3.6 and older versions, which means that you cannot update your apps or download new ones that require a higher iOS version.
Fortunately, there is a way to bypass this limitation and enjoy the full functionality of the Facebook app on your iOS 9.3.6 device. This is by downloading and installing the Facebook APK file, which is an alternative way of getting the app on your device without going through the App Store. In this article, we will explain what Facebook APK is, why you might need it, how to download it, and what are the benefits and drawbacks of using it.
APK stands for Android Package Kit, which is a file format that contains all the necessary components to install an app on an Android device. APK files are usually downloaded from third-party sources, such as websites or online forums, rather than from the official Google Play Store.
However, APK files can also be used to install apps on iOS devices, as long as they are compatible with the iOS version and device model. This is possible because both Android and iOS use similar programming languages and frameworks, such as Java and Objective-C, which allow them to run similar apps with minor modifications.
Therefore, Facebook APK is simply a modified version of the Facebook app that can be installed on iOS devices without using the App Store. It has all the same features and functions as the official app, but it does not require a specific iOS version or device model to run.
You might need Facebook APK if you want to use the Facebook app on your iOS 9.3.6 device, but you cannot download it from the App Store because it requires a higher iOS version or a newer device model. This could be because you have an older device that cannot be updated to a newer iOS version, or because you prefer to stick with iOS 9.3.6 for personal reasons.
By downloading and installing Facebook APK on your device, you can enjoy all the benefits of the Facebook app without having to upgrade your device or your iOS version. You can also access the latest features and updates that are not available on the official app for older devices.
If you want to download Facebook APK for your iOS 9.3.6 device, you will need to follow these steps:
Before you download Facebook APK, you need to make sure that your device is compatible with it. To do this, you need to check your device model and your iOS version. You can find this information by going to Settings > General > About on your device.
The following devices are compatible with iOS 9.3.6:
If your device is not on this list, you cannot use Facebook APK on it. You will need to upgrade your device or your iOS version to use the official Facebook app from the App Store.
The next step is to download the latest Facebook SDK for iOS, which is a software development kit that contains the tools and libraries needed to run Facebook APK on your device. You can download it from the official Facebook for Developers website or from a trusted third-party source.
To download the Facebook SDK for iOS, you will need a computer with an internet connection and a USB cable to connect your device to your computer. You will also need to have iTunes installed on your computer, which you can download from the official Apple website. Follow these steps to download the Facebook SDK for iOS:
The third step is to install the Facebook APK file on your device, which is the actual app that you will use to access Facebook. You can download it from a reliable third-party source, such as APKPure or APKMirror. Make sure that you download the latest version of the app that is compatible with your device and your iOS version.
To install the Facebook APK file on your device, you will need to use a tool called iFunBox, which is a file manager and app installer for iOS devices. You can download it from the official iFunBox website or from a trusted third-party source. Follow these steps to install the Facebook APK file on your device:
The final step is to launch the Facebook app on your device and enjoy using it. You will see a new icon on your home screen with the Facebook logo. Tap on it to open the app and log in with your Facebook account or create a new one if you don't have one already.
You will be able to use all the features and functions of the Facebook app, such as posting status updates, uploading photos and videos, chatting with friends, joining groups, following pages, playing games, and more. You will also receive notifications and updates from Facebook as usual.
There are several benefits of using Facebook APK on your iOS 9.3.6 device, such as:
By using Facebook APK, you can access all the latest features and updates that are not available on the official app for older devices. For example, you can use the dark mode, the stories feature, the dating feature, the marketplace feature, and more. You can also get the latest bug fixes and security patches that improve the performance and stability of the app.
Another benefit of using Facebook APK is that you can customize and personalize the app according to your preferences and needs. You can change the theme, the font, the layout, the icons, and more. You can also enable or disable certain features and settings that you don't want or need. For example, you can block ads, hide sponsored posts, disable auto-play videos, and more.
A third benefit of using Facebook APK is that you can enhance your security and privacy settings on the app. You can use a password or a fingerprint to lock the app, so that no one else can access your account without your permission. You can also use a VPN or a proxy to hide your IP address and location from Facebook and other third parties. You can also control what information you share with Facebook and other apps, such as your contacts, your photos, your microphone, your camera, and more.
However, there are also some drawbacks of using Facebook APK on your iOS 9.3.6 device, such as:
One drawback of using Facebook APK is that you might encounter some compatibility issues with other apps on your device. This is because some apps might require a specific version of the Facebook app to work properly, such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, Spotify, Netflix, and more. If you use Facebook APK instead of the official app, these apps might not recognize it or function correctly. You might experience crashes, errors, glitches, or missing features on these apps.
Another drawback of using Facebook APK is that you might expose your device to malware and viruses. This is because you are downloading and installing the app from a third-party source, which might not be trustworthy or secure. You might download a fake or corrupted file that contains malicious code or software that can harm your device or steal your data. You might also download an outdated or incompatible file that can cause damage or errors on your device.
A third drawback of using Facebook APK is that you might violate Apple's terms and conditions. This is because Apple does not allow users to install apps from sources other than the App Store, which is considered as jailbreaking or sideloading. Jailbreaking or sideloading can void your warranty, disable your updates, erase your data, or brick your device. It can also result in legal action from Apple or Facebook if they find out that you are using an unauthorized app on your device.
In conclusion, Facebook APK is an alternative way of getting the Facebook app on your iOS 9.3.6 device without using the App Store. It has some benefits, such as access to the latest features and updates, customization and personalization options, and enhanced security and privacy settings. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as potential compatibility issues with other apps, risk of malware and viruses, and violation of Apple's terms and conditions.
If you decide to use Facebook APK on your device, you should be careful about where you download it from and how you install it on your device. You should also backup your data regularly and scan your device for any threats or problems. You should also be aware of the risks and consequences of using an unofficial app on your device.