How to Add and Remove Shortcuts on Facebook

As the Facebook app keeps getting updated, all of the new features can start to get overwhelming. If you're reading this, chances are that you're looking to manage your shortcuts on your home screen a bit better.

Luckily, there are a few methods you can use to simplify your navigation by customizing the shortcuts tab. Here's what to know about these icons and how to add and remove shortcuts on the Facebook app.

Facebook App Shortcuts Explained

Shortcuts on the Facebook app provide access points to different pages and features in one place—you'll see these icons on the shortcut bar located at the top or bottom of the mobile app. They also appear at the top of the page of the Facebook website on desktop browsers.

This makes navigation quick and easy since there's no need to scroll through a menu to get to where you want.

Most of the shortcuts can be removed and re-added. Let's have a look at the shortcuts you can expect to find in the shortcut bar...

Homepage

The first shortcut to the left is the Homepage, represented by a house icon. This is where you'll access your Newsfeed. This shortcut can't be removed.

Settings

Settings are on the far right (the hamburger icon) and will open a page where you can have quick access to things like saved posts and events, as well as several menu tabs from where you can customize the app's settings. This is an essential tab and can therefore not be removed.

Notifications

The bell icon is the Notifications tab. Here, you'll find all your notifications (that you have turned on) such as comments, likes, and shares. This tab can't be removed either.

Profile

The Profile shortcut is a circular avatar icon and it's where you can access your profile and all your posts. You can remove it, and if you do, your profile is still accessible from the Settings.

Friends

The Friends shortcut is an icon with two people. This is where you can view all your friend requests and suggested friends to add. If you remove the tab, you'll get friend request notifications in the Notifications tab instead.

Read more: What's the Difference Between Facebook Friends and Followers?

Marketplace

The Facebook Marketplace shortcut is represented with a tent icon, and here you can discover, buy and sell items.

Groups

Groups combine the feed from all the groups you're in. It's a circular icon with three people and can be removed.

Watch

Watch suggests videos from creators that you might be interested in. It's a rectangular play button icon and can be removed.

Remove Shortcuts by Long-Pressing

Long-pressing on an icon from the shortcuts bar is the simplest way to remove a shortcut. But you can only remove shortcuts with this method, not add them.

To remove shortcuts by long-pressing, follow these steps:

Long-press on the shortcut you want to remove. From the pop-up menu, tap Remove from shortcut bar.Another pop-up will appear confirming that you want to remove the shortcut. Select Remove.A temporary dialog box will appear at the bottom to confirm the changes you've made. Tap on Settings if you want to reverse the change—but be quick since the box will disappear after a few seconds.

Related: How to Make Your Photos Private on Facebook

How to Add or Remove Shortcuts Using Facebook Settings

Not only can you remove shortcuts using your settings on Facebook, but you also can add new ones.

To add or remove shortcuts via the settings, follow these steps:

Locate the hamburger icon on the right of the shortcut bar and go to Settings & Privacy > Settings.If you're using the iOS app, scroll down to Shortcuts and select Shortcuts bar. If you're using Android, scroll down to Preferences and select Shortcuts > Shortcut bar.You will be taken to a page where you can manage your shortcut bar preference.Toggle the tabs on and off for the shortcuts you want to add or remove. It might take a while for removed shortcuts to reappear if you toggle them on.

Turn Notification Dots On and Off by Long-Pressing

If you'd prefer not to see notification dots on the shortcut icons, you can disable them by long-pressing.

To disable and enable notification dots by long-pressing, follow these steps:

Hold down on a shortcut icon in the bottom tab that you want to remove the notification dots from.From the pop-up, select Turn off notification dots.To turn these dots back on, long press on the shortcut icon, and select Turn on notification dots.

Related: How to Hide Your Birthday on Facebook

Turn Notification Dots On and Off From Settings

You can also customize the notification dots from your Facebook settings.

To disable and enable notification dots from the settings, follow these steps:

Locate the hamburger icon at the bottom right and scroll down to Settings & Privacy. Open it and select Settings.Scroll down to Notification dots under Notifications and open it.Toggle the tabs on and off to enable or disable notification dots on a shortcut.

Customize Your Facebook Shortcuts

Shortcuts are there to make navigation quick and convenient. But let's be real, they can also clog up your screen.

Follow the above guide to choose which shortcuts you want to display and whether or not you want to see their notification dots.

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