A Quick Guide to Getting Started With Facebook Touch

The vast majority of Facebook users access the platform via a smartphone. If you’re one of the 81.8% that prefer to use your mobile device, Facebook Touch can be a good app to download and install. Not only is it easy to use, but it also uses less data. 

While the traditional Facebook app is still one of the most downloaded apps according to Facebook statistics (not much data is available about Facebook Touch), it can still be an alternative to check out. In this article, we briefly summarize all the main things you need to know about its distinct features, how to download it, and complete some of the main tasks. 

A Quick Guide to Getting Started With Facebook Touch:

What’s Facebook Touch?

First things first, Facebook Touch wasn’t created by Facebook. The app was designed by H5 which was recently acquired by Lighthouse. 

In short, Facebook Touch is a sophisticated Facebook app that was designed specifically for touchscreen phones. It has several unique features and an intuitive interface. 

While you can still use the traditional Facebook app, there are a few ways in which Facebook Touch is different such as:

• Facebook Touch runs faster. It was created specifically for mobile users which means that it will also use less data. Plus, you can use Facebook Touch even if you don’t have the fastest internet connection.
• The graphics are better and the display will be better too. You can view high-res images without sacrificing loading speed. 
• The interface is easier to understand and use. So, you can look forward to a seamless user experience. 

How to Download Facebook Touch

Facebook Touch isn’t available on the App Store or Google Play Store. When you search for Facebook Touch on either of these two stores, you’ll only see the traditional Facebook app. 

Instead, you’ll need to get an APK file. This you can get by searching the term “download Facebook Touch” in the search field of the web browser that you normally use. Though, to do this, you’ll first need to change your device’s authorization settings to allow installation of apps from unknown senders. 

Then, select the APK file that complies with all the Ts and Cs and click on the download button. Just like with any other download, it’s best to do it when you can connect your mobile device to Wi-Fi. Otherwise, you’ll need to use your mobile data which can become costly. 

After the app has been downloaded, all that’s left to do is to install the app, launch it, and log into your account with your existing login details. 

What Can You Access via Facebook Touch?

With Facebook Touch, there are various features that you can easily access. By simply clicking on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, you’ll be able to access most of the info that you’ll probably need. These include:

• Your profile photo
• A “Suggested” tab that lists suggestions about Facebook pages and groups that you might want to check out
• An “Apps” tab where you’ll get a quick overview of all the apps that are enabled within Facebook
• A “Favourites” tab where you can get quick access to the videos that you’ve watched, messages, friends etc.
• A “Groups” tab that summarizes all the groups that you’ve joined

Switching Off Notifications

With Facebook Touch, it’s pretty easy to turn off notifications for whenever someone replies to a comment or likes a post. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open the “Settings” tab on your phone

Step 2: Click on “Apps”

Step 3: Select the Facebook Touch app from the drop-down menu and click on the “Notifications” tab

Step 4: Disable the notifications

Accessing Account Info and Privacy Settings

Another example of how Facebook Touch is more intuitive than the traditional Facebook app is when it comes to accessing your account details and privacy settings. To access this info, here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Open the Facebook Touch app on your smartphone

Step 2: Log into your Facebook account by typing in your username, phone number, and password

Step 3: Click on the three lines in the top right-hand corner of the home page

Step 4: Scroll down to “Help and Settings” and click on “Settings”

Step 5: Here you’ll be able to view and edit your account info, preferences, permissions, and visibility  

How Do You Send Messages on Facebook Touch?

If you want to send direct messages on Facebook Touch, you’ll need to use the Messenger app. The Facebook Messenger app is an extra app that you’ll need to download via the Google Play Store or App Store. 

All in all, it’s a good tool to use for managing social media conversations (specifically customer conversations but a little bit more about that later). Not only can you use it for one-on-one conversations but also for group messaging. Plus, you can add attachments and keep it casual by using emojis and stickers.

Similar to WhatsApp, you’ll be able to see when the other person is typing. Then, once the message has been delivered, you’ll also be notified. 

Other useful features offered by Messenger include the ability to search your messages for specific keywords, groups, or people. You can also view message requests from people who you aren’t friends with, making it useful for commercial purposes which brings us to our next point. 

Facebook Messenger can be a great tool to connect with customers. You can use it to answer questions about your product range/services, take orders, and offer post-sales customer service. As a matter of fact, if you’re using social commerce and selling via Facebook, downloading and installing the Facebook Messenger app is a must. 

Cons of Using Facebook Touch

Nothing is perfect, and in addition to needing to install a separate messaging app, Facebook Touch has a few other limitations. That said, these all basically boil down to usability. 

If you’re used to using the traditional Facebook app, you might find it challenging to grow used to Facebook Touch. These two tools aren’t that different, but it can take some time to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs. 

You should also remember that it’s a third-party app that you’ll have to download from another source (it’s not available on the App Store or Google Play). Whenever you download apps from other sources, there’s always the risk of malware. Plus, you’ll need to share your Facebook login details with this third-party app too. 

Who Should Use Facebook Touch?

While everyone can use Facebook Touch, it’s especially recommended for users that don’t use an iOS or Android device. Alternatively, if you encounter accessibility issues when trying to operate standard apps with your smartphone, this alternative might solve your worries. 

That being said, as it requires less data, it can be a good alternative to explore if you often need to access Facebook on the run. Also, considering that it runs just fine when you have a slow internet connection, it’s a way that you don’t necessarily need to use your mobile data when you aren’t blessed with a fast internet connection. 

Other Facebook Tools to Check Out

If you’re on the hunt for apps that can make your Facebook experience better, there’s a long list of other Facebook tools that you can also check out. At the very least, you should get a decent social media management tool, graphic design tool, and a URL shortener. Here are three tools that can help you with these functions.

1. Sprout Social

As a Facebook partner, Sprout Social is one of the popular Facebook tools used by bigger brands. It offers a great selection of tools that will help you to manage a Facebook page, create content, and keep track of your conversations. 

Key features include:

• A Smart Inbox
• Workflow management
• Analytics
• Post scheduling
• Automated publishing
• Brand tracking

2. Canva

Canva offers 130,000+ templates for Facebook posts and nearly 16,000 Facebook cover templates (and thousands of them are free). Whether you want to create a collage, ad template, or cover for an event, it’s easy to customize these templates to make them your own and align with your current branding. On top of these templates, it also offers images, color schemes, and font combos. So, there’s no need to start from scratch. 

3. Rebrandly

If you’ll be sharing links quite often, a URL shortener like Rebrandly will make a worthwhile investment. Not only will you be able to shorten your links, but you can also use your custom domain name and even add an emoji. This way you can basically include your brand name in all the links that you share on Facebook to help boost brand awareness. 

Wrapping Things Up

If you currently have no issues accessing Facebook via your smartphone, there’s no need to download Touch. However, if your user experience via your phone isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, you might want to check out this alternative before cracking your screen out of pure frustration. To sum it up, it’s basically easier to use, runs faster, and the image quality will also be better. 

Then, while you’re busy improving your overall Facebook user experience, be sure to check out other tools too. From scheduling posts to shortening links, there are several apps that can help you to streamline everyday tasks. 

About the Author

Koba Molenaar

Writer

Koba Molenaar brings nearly a decade of rich experience in content writing, specializing in digital marketing, branding, SaaS, and eCommerce. Her passion for helping brands, from solopreneurs to established companies, connect with their audiences shines through her work. As a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, Koba’s commitment to excellence is evident in her work, showcasing her as a relatable and knowledgeable voice in the industry.