Facebook, a cornerstone of social media, keeps us connected, but lately, some users have been facing frustrating issues with its iOS app. It’s not a complete blackout, but for many, the Facebook mobile experience has been hampered by a persistent keyboard glitch. Instead of a widespread server outage, the “Facebook down” reports are often related to a more localized, yet equally annoying, problem: the keyboard covering the comment section.
This issue, reported by numerous users in online forums, isn’t about Facebook being entirely inaccessible. It’s about a frustrating user interface problem that makes engaging with comments a real hassle. Imagine trying to read a lively discussion or craft a witty reply, only to have the keyboard pop up and obscure the very content you’re trying to interact with. This is the reality for many Facebook users on iPhones and iPads.
One user, Julianmaurice, voiced their frustration directly to Apple, highlighting the principle of “Good Design is as little design as possible” and lamenting the increasing complexity of iOS. Their comment, “I hate iOS16 it’s just made things more complex,” captures the sentiment of users feeling that updates meant to improve user experience are actually doing the opposite.
Echoing this sentiment, Natterjack31 shared their ongoing struggle, noting, “I have the same problem, for quite a few weeks now.” They described the maddening inconsistency of temporary fixes, stating that sometimes “clicking back and then the comment again allows me to reply,” but often, the glitch persists. The user also mentioned reporting the issue to Facebook, but with no response, highlighting a common user frustration with large tech platforms – the difficulty in getting direct support.
Djmills016 raised a pertinent question about the scope of the problem: “I assume this is only affecting a few and not the many otherwise they would have done something about this straight away.” This brings up the question of why some users are experiencing this issue while others are not, and why a seemingly widespread problem isn’t being addressed more swiftly by Facebook.
However, amidst the complaints, there’s a glimmer of hope. Nerak_07 claimed to have found a solution, focusing on keyboard settings. Their method involved manipulating keyboard settings, specifically adding and removing US and UK keyboards. “I added the US keyboard. Deleted the UK. Then added the UK again and deleted the US. Voila! Job. Done.” This suggests that the issue might be related to keyboard configurations within iOS, offering a potential avenue for users to troubleshoot the problem themselves.
Jussi288 further elaborated on the keyboard issue, describing how it obstructs not only replying but also reading longer comments. “And can’t read some long comments as keyboard opens up when trying to read the comment – then can’t still up or down.” This paints a picture of a seriously impaired user experience, making basic functions like reading and replying to comments cumbersome and frustrating. Jussi288 also pointed out the near impossibility of contacting Facebook directly, echoing Natterjack31’s experience and emphasizing the feeling of users being left to fend for themselves.
The frustration is palpable in Corina250’s comment: “I’m just using Facebook less. I’ve lost countless replies because of the glitchy keyboard issues and disappearing texts.” This user highlights the real-world impact of the glitch – decreased user engagement. If a social media platform becomes too frustrating to use, users will naturally gravitate away, impacting engagement metrics and potentially, Facebook’s bottom line.
Egawe774, the original poster who initiated the discussion, claimed to have found a fix involving Gboard, Google’s keyboard app. Their detailed solution involves ensuring both Gboard and the native iPhone keyboard are installed, then removing Gboard and re-adding it. “Go to Settings – Keyboards – there needs to be Gboard and your native iPhone keyboard… Now click on the big red sign next to the Gboard to remove it… Then at the bottom click Add new keyboard and choose your Gboard or other desired keyboard.” This suggests a potential conflict or interaction issue between Gboard, the Facebook app, and iOS.
Djmills016 described a workaround of having to “scroll up and click view post and scroll back down” to see comments, highlighting the lengths users are going to in order to navigate this glitch.
Lee_ms, identified as a “Community Specialist,” offered standard troubleshooting advice: “The first thing you’ll want to check to see if Facebook is up-to-date… if it is, you can try deleting and reinstalling the app.” While these are typical first steps, the persistence of the issue for many users suggests that these basic solutions are not always effective. Lee_ms also directed users to contact the app developer – Facebook – which, as other users pointed out, is easier said than done.
IdrisSeabright, a Level 10 user, firmly placed the responsibility for fixing the issue on Facebook, stating, “Facebook is the developer of the app. It’s their responsibility to fix any issues with it.” This highlights the user perspective that ultimately, it’s up to Facebook to resolve problems within their app, regardless of whether the root cause lies within iOS or their own code.
IdrisSeabright also suggested using Facebook through a browser as a temporary workaround, a suggestion that was met with resistance by Egawe774, who rightly pointed out, “I wont solve apples problem with Facebook app by not using the app. Thats a nuissance.” This underscores the expectation that the native app should function correctly and that using a browser is not an ideal solution for mobile users.
In another comment, IdrisSeabright clarified the division of responsibility: “Apple doesn’t have a problem with Facebook. Facebook has a problem with iOS. They need to fix it.” This perspective emphasizes that while the issue manifests on iOS devices, the onus is on Facebook to ensure their app is compatible and functions correctly within the iOS ecosystem.
Egawe774 further investigated the Gboard connection, observing, “When I deleted Gboard and Facebook and installed Facebook again, basic iPhone keyboard works without a problem. When I install Gboard again, it gets stuck again.” This strengthens the theory that Gboard might be a contributing factor to the glitch for some users.
Oldroadfan52 linked the issue to Apple’s iOS updates, stating, “Had zero issues until the Apple iOS update.” This introduces another layer of complexity, suggesting that recent iOS updates might have inadvertently triggered or exacerbated the Facebook keyboard issue. Oldroadfan52 also mentioned similar “stuck” issues with the Apple Share screen across various apps, hinting at a potentially broader iOS-related problem.
Finally, Egawe774’s frustrated response to IdrisSeabright’s suggestion to contact Facebook highlights the user’s feeling of helplessness and the perceived inaccessibility of Facebook’s support channels.
In Conclusion
While Facebook isn’t experiencing a complete outage, many iOS users are facing a disruptive keyboard glitch that significantly impacts their app experience. The issue seems to be related to keyboard interactions within the Facebook app on iOS, potentially exacerbated by Gboard or recent iOS updates. While some users have found temporary workarounds or potential fixes like adjusting keyboard settings or reinstalling the app, a definitive solution from Facebook is still awaited. For now, users are left navigating a frustrating glitch, highlighting the challenges of app usability and the often opaque support systems of large tech companies.
