How to Add or Remove Shortcuts on Facebook

Saikat has been a technology writer for 12+ years. His writing has appeared at MakeUseOf, OnlineTechTips, GoSkills, and many others.

Updated on September 11, 2023
Reviewed by

• Wichita Technical Institute

Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years’ experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.

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What to Know

• Tap and hold the shortcut icon > select Hide from shortcut bar.
• Or, go to Settings >Shortcuts >Shortcut bar. Tap drop-down arrow next to shortcut >Hide.
• To add shortcuts: Settings >Shortcuts >Shortcut bar > tap Hidden drop-down arrow >Pin or Auto.

This article shows you how to hide and add shortcuts in the Facebook app for iOS and Android. Although you cannot delete shortcuts and remove them forever, Facebook does allow you to hide shortcuts.

How to Delete Facebook Shortcuts on Android vs. iOS

The instructions for iOS and Android apps differ slightly because of the location of the shortcuts bar. Android places the bar with recognizable icons at the top of the screen, while iOS has it at the bottom of the screen.

Hide Shortcuts From the Menu on Android

Hiding shortcuts is quicker from the menu bar, and you can do it with a tap. On any screen, tap and hold a shortcut in the shortcut bar, then select Hide from shortcut bar or Unpin from shortcut bar to remove it.

Alternatively, select Turn off notification dots to turn off the indications for recent activity on any Facebook page.

Hide Shortcuts From the Menu on iOS

On any screen, tap and hold a shortcut in the shortcut bar, then choose Hide from shortcut bar or Unpin from shortcut bar to remove it.

Hide Shortcuts From Facebook Settings on Android

Settings include all the options to help you customize the Shortcuts bar. You can also allow Facebook to display a shortcut based on your activity but otherwise keep it hidden. To hide shortcuts on Android:

1. In the upper-right corner of Facebook, tap Menu (three horizontal bars).

Under Preferences, tap Shortcuts.

Choose Hide.

Hide Shortcuts From Facebook Settings on iOS

The steps for hiding shortcuts in the Facebook settings are a little different on iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.):

1. In the lower-right corner, tap Menu (three lines).

Tap Settings and privacy >Settings to reveal more options.

Tap Shortcut bar.

Facebook will remove the specific shortcut icon from view on the shortcut bar. All hidden shortcuts appear on the Hidden Shortcuts list from where you can make them available again.

How to Add a Shortcut on Android

You can follow the same steps to the Facebook Settings screen and add a shortcut back to the shortcuts bar on Facebook.

1. In the upper-right corner, tap Menu (three lines).

Under Preferences, tap Shortcuts.

Scroll to Hidden Shortcuts. Tap the Hidden drop-down arrow next to the shortcut and choose Pin or Auto. The Auto option turns on the visibility of the shortcut in the shortcuts bar, but displays it based on your activity. For instance, if you do not use Marketplace often, you may not see it. To add and keep the icon there, choose Pin.

How to Add a Shortcut on iOS

Follow these steps to add a shortcut on the iOS Facebook app:

Go to Settings & privacy >Settings.

Tap Shortcuts >Shortcut bar.

Scroll to Hidden Shortcuts. Tap the shortcut Hidden drop-down arrow and choose Pin or Auto. The Auto option turns on the visibility of the shortcut on the shortcuts bar but displays it based on your activity. For instance, if you do not use Marketplace often, you may not see it. To add and keep the icon there, choose Pin.

Why do I have shortcuts on Facebook?

You have Facebook shortcuts to help you easily access the Facebook functions used most frequently. For example, you’ll see the home page shortcut (which always shows up there) and other shortcuts like Marketplace, Notifications, and News.

What do your shortcuts mean on Facebook?

Your Facebook shortcuts represent the Facebook functions you’re likely to access. The shortcut menu bar is dynamic and displays shortcuts to Facebook features that you use the most. However, you can customize them.

How do I add groups to my shortcut bar on Facebook?

To add groups to your Facebook shortcut bar, go to Menu > Settings & Privacy > Settings > Preferences > Shortcuts > Shortcut Bar. Under Customize your shortcut bar, tap the Groups drop-down arrow, then tap Pin or Auto.