Facebook Freezes On iPhone When Clicking Pictures (iOS 15)
Last updated on November 14th, 2021 at 02:37 pm
Posted in TILs by Mike on October 8, 2021Is Facebook freezing on iPhone or iPad when you click a photo to watch it full size? Does the screen become unresponsive and there’s no way to get out of fullscreen mode without force closing the app?
This appears to be another iOS 15-related bug that first occurred on the new iPhone 13 models but now seems to be iPad predominant!
Facebook Freezing When Clicking Pictures
The issue was reported to us by Jenna on our iOS 15.0.1 review page:
“When I click on a photo in Facebook to see it full size, once the photo is open I can’t close it. It’s like the screen doesn’t recognize touch anymore…Using iPhone 13pro, have already updated to 15.0.1 and still experiencing the problem.”
It’s been also confirmed by Daria:
“Facebook freezes when I click on a photo here too. iPhone 13 Pro”
Facebook Freezes When Clicking Comments
A new variation of this bug is occurring on iPads updated to iPadOS 15. Numerous reports from iPhoneTricks.org readers mention that Facebook is freezing when Comments are clicked:
– Alisha:
“I’m using an iPad Pro with the latest iPadOS 15.1 update. I cannot read any comments or look at pictures other than just scrolling through. Any picture I open or comment I try to read will freeze.”
– Jan W.:
“When I try to tap on comments in Facebook the app locks up and the only option is to close it.”
How To Fix Facebook Freezes On iPhone
Apply the following tips to troubleshoot this issue:
1. Force Close Facebook
To manage to unfreeze your iPhone you have to swipe-up from the bottom of the screen to bring up the App Switcher. Next, swipe-up on the Facebook card to force quit the app.
Re-open Facebook and the app should work normally. Avoid tapping on a photo to view it in full size, because you risk to make the app unresponsive again!
Tip: Instead of closing Facebook you can use the App Switcher to pen another app. Immediately return to Facebook and frozen screen should be solved. Workaround provided by Robin.
2. Restart iPhone / iPad
Next up, you can reboot iPhone or iPad. A fresh start will clear any minor glitches that could cause the annoying Facebook freezes.
How to: You can turn Off device and switch it back ON a few seconds later, or apply the force restart trick and reboot in a single step.
3. Reinstall Facebook
Facebook Freezes when clicking pictures can be solved by deleting and reinstalling the app. I recommend you to use the offload feature, to allow iOS to automatically restore your data when the application is installed back.
How to: Browse for Settings -> General -> iPhone Storage -> Facebook -> Offload App -> Reinstall.
Workarounds For Facebook Freezing On iPad
4. Turn On Full Keyboard Access
- Open Settings and go for Accessibility.
- Tap on Keyboards, available in the Physical and Motor section.
- Turn On Full Keyboard Access.
Credits: Thanks Aurora for the tip.
Update: Enabling Full Keyboard Access will mess up typing in other apps. To fix this you have to change keyboard combinations that involve ‘home’ and ‘space bar’:
- Go for Settings -> Accessibility -> Keyboards -> Full Keyboard Access -> Commands
- Scroll for ‘Activate’ and change it from space bar, to something unusual, like ‘alt’ + ‘~’ or anything similar. (Do the same for ‘Home’)
Credits: Thanks again Aurora for the workaround to the workaround!
Thanks again to Aurora, you can fix this with a workaround to the workaround
5. Browse Facebook In Safari
Until this annoying bug gets officially fixed via an iPadOS 15 or Facebook software update, you can browse the web platform of this social media platform! This can be easily done in a web browser:
- Open Safari and type Facebook.com in the address bar.
- Use your log-in credential to Sign In.
- Browse your timeline, expand photos, comment to posts everything should work when bypassing the Facebook app
Credits: Thanks Esa Viitala for this tip.
Temporarily Fix For Facebook Freezes On iPad
Apparently, a Bluetooth keyboard or any other Bluetooth connected device causes the Facebook freezing issue. Disconnect the peripheral or accessory and the FB app will start working normally.
Fact: Of course, this fix isn’t ideal but it gets the job done until we get a permanent patch from Facebook or Apple.
Credits: Thanks John for discovering this and sharing the workaround in the comments section.
Have you managed to fix Facebook freezes when tapping a photo to watch it in full size? Did any of the tips provided above help out? Do you have a better solution? Use the comments section and share your feedback.
Related: Other common Facebook issues happening in iOS 15 are:
– FB Messenger videos flicker during playback.
– Facebook Stories not uploading, stuck at the ‘Finishing Up…’ phase.
What I have found if you are using a VPN, I have to pause it, then FaceBook will work.
Thanks for sharing this. Anyone else experiencing the same?
I have the same problem. None of these are solutions though to the actual problem though. It has been nearly a month since iOS 15 has been out. Apple and or Facebook need to sort this out – amateurish thing to happen from these two.
Not one month yet, but 20 days did pass already and that’s a long time for such an issue. But honestly, I find the FB Messenger videos flickering even worse and that hasn’t been addressed either.
I AM SO FRUSTRATED….NOTHING WORKS TO CORRECT THIS. FBOOK FREEZES….I HAVE TO GO TO A DIFFERENT APP, THEN RETURN TO REOPEN FBOOK…. I REVIEW 2-3 ARTICLES AND IT FREEZES AGAIN. BEEN CONSIDERING DROPPING FACEBOOK….MAYBE NOW IS THE TIME….ESP. BEFORE THEY GO ‘META’
Use the web version in Safari and it should work, until a software update fixes the app.
P.S.: It’s already Meta. I’m getting the ‘by Meta’, on the app loading screen.
I agree and I know many who have uninstalled Facebook and are still happily living their lives. Who knew? Facebook is going to lose a huge share of their market if they do not learn how to play nice with Apple!
Taking it off the case so the Bluetooth keyboard wasn’t attached works!
Thanks for confirming Ann.
I have this problem with my iphone 13 pro camera/photo app in general, not just related to facebook.
Thanks for the feedback Michael. Do you notice a triggering factor for this issue, or it just happens randomly?
I am using iPhone 13, not Pro model. Also has this Facebook bug.
The bug still exists after I offloaded and reinstalled the app.
Thanks for confirming Sam.
I have the same issue on an iPhone 12 Pro. I have tried all the troubleshooting steps, down to deleting and reinstalling the Facebook app with no resolution. It seems like it happens only after scrolling for a while and then clicking a picture to view it full screen. It doesn’t seem to happen right after opening the app again, but my feed is refreshed so I’m not at the same place to try the same picture right away either.
Thanks for the detailed feedback Jill. Yeah, there’s no way to permanently fix it at the moment. Can you please confirm, are you running Facebook version 339.0? It was released 3 days ago, with crash fixes and performance improvements. But apparently it hasn’t fixed the freezing issue!
Same here but on my iPad Pro……
Thanks for confirming.
I also am having problems with Facebook on my iPad Pro. When I click on the comments, Facebook freezes.
Thanks for confirming.
Have same problem with iPad pro freezing in Facebook when you try and click on a photo or comments.
I just got an iPad Pro two weeks ago, and it’s doing the same thing in the last few days. Not really just on pictures. Also if I try to like something.
Thanks for the feedback Leigh. Switch for the web version of Facebook, available via Safari, until this is sorted out.
I have the same problem. Only on an iPad and only when clicking on comments, but it freezes every time I click on comments.
Thanks for confirming. Use the web version in Safari. It should work without issues.
Yes Chuck, I have he same problem.
doesn’t work.
iphone 13 mini 128gb iOS 15.0.1
Thanks for the feedback.
P.S.: iOS 15.0.2 has been released. Is issue still occurring for you in the new version?
I’m still having the problem with IOS 15.1
Thanks for confirming Chuck. Is it also happening on your iPhone or just iPad?
It’s just happening on my IPad and the newest update didn’t help.
Thanks for the feedback Kathi. I recommend you to switch for the Facebook web version in Safari until the app gets sorted out.
I have this problem also, 12 pro max, in on iOS 15. Are the People from fb Even checking on this?
Thanks for reporting. Facebook is know for updating its apps with a huge delay. iOS 15.0.2 is out. Does it make any difference?
This happens on Twitter and Safari as well on my iPhone 13 Pro Max. I get around by switching to another app, then switching back to the offending app, where the close button is present and working again.
It’s an annoyance, for sure!
Thanks for reporting Dan. From what you describe, I think that you problem fits better in the iPhone 13 touch issues section. This doesn’t necessarily seem app-related but more a generalized touchscreen problem. Does it?
Iphone 12 pro max user here, happens to my facebook too, meanwhile my messenger has flickering videos but is fine when i download the video itself and open it from photos. None of the listed solutions are working rn. Is this apple or facebook issue? Its frustrating.
It’s annoying indeed. It must be a Facebook issue, because it only happens with this app. It might be that Apple changed some settings in iOS 15 and Facebook hasn’t updated its app to be compatible with them.
Tried updating to 15.0.2 and this issue still seems to be happening to me. However, if instead of closing the app, I switch to a different app and then back to Facebook, it unfreezes. Still not ideal, but a decent workaround in the interim
Thanks for the tip Robin. Will update it in the article asap.
Same issues on iphone 12 mini (ios 15.0.2) these fixes don’t work. I also have issues with messenger, videos are flickering and its driving me crazy!
Thanks for reporting. The videos flickering in Messages issue has been already fixed, as we reported a while ago. You need to update to the latest version as informed here (Step 2): https://www.iphonetricks.org/fix-videos-flickering-stuttering-in-ios-15/
Regarding the Facebook freezing, yes this is still ongoing, but keep an eye on the App Store updates section. Facebook has to release an update with a fix too.
I’ve also been having the freezing on a picture problem with no solve yet. iPhone 13, iOS 15.02 and Facebook app version 340.0
Thanks for confirming Alex. We have to wait it out a bit longer.
I am having the same problem too! Keeps hanging
Thanks for confirming Steven. We’re still waiting for a fix from Facebook.
I just got a new 9th gen iPad. I’m having the same photo freezing problem in that when I have clicked on a photo in a Facebook post that then takes up the entire screen as its supposed to,, I’m not able to close the photo. This is happening intermittently.. I worked out that if you go to the iPad home screen and then click on the Facebook app it goes back to the scroll/feed and shows thé photo that I was looking at within the post rather than taking up the screen as it previously showed. So at least I don’t loose my place. But this only temporarily fixes the problem, until 5-10 mins later and it does it again on another photo. I note that someone above said about this same work around also. This issue is a bit annoying. The only constellation is that I’m not the only one it’s happening to.
*To admin: Any chance of changing the blue background or white font when posting a comment? It’s not easy on the eyes when typing and proof reading.
Thanks for your feedback Lee. Yes, we’re still waiting for a Facebook bug fix update for this issue.
P.S.: We’re looking into the blue background request. Thanks for the tip.
iOS 15.0.2, iPhone 12 Pro Max. Issue still exists and occurs regularly. Have done a full reset and issue still exists. I waited for the 2nd bug fix round before upgrading to iOS 15, but seems like Apple Quality control is STILL on the decline. 🤦♂️
Thanks for the feedback Shane. This is most likely a Facebook bug. Or at least Facebook, not updating their iOS app to cope with iOS 15 changes. A similar glitch was ongoing with Facebook Messenger videos flickering, and that one was fixed one week ago with a Facebook update of the Messenger app.
Iphone 13 ,IOS15.0.2 .
Same issue , mine freeze on facebook sometimes when i open a picture. After it freeze awhile it will automatically restart Facebook. Its really annoying I hope the issue can be solved.🤦🏻♀️Same goes with messenger video flickering and instagram freezing 🥲🥲
Thanks for the feedback Evelyn. Messenger flickering has been solved one week ago by Facebook as reported here, via a Messenger software update available in the App Store.
Can you detail the Instagram freezing a bit please. I was not aware of it until now.
Regarding Facebook freezing, it seems that Facebook has to issue an App Store update for it too, to update the app to reflect the changes coming with iOS 15.
Try installing FB instead of FB Lite.
Thanks for this tip, but I think it has to go the other way around Facebook Lite instead of FB. I asume that most of us have standard FB installed.
Here is the direct App Store FB Lite download link: https://apps.apple.com/ae/app/facebook-lite/id1393838612
If you tried it out let us know if it comes without the freezing issue.
My iPhone 12 Pro Max started freezing on Facebook photos straight after ios15 and after the recent update. Just bought an iPhone 13 Pro max and it’s doing exactly the same thing.
Thanks for confirming. This most likely is a Facebook issue. They have to update the iOS app to cope with changes the came along iOS 15.
This is so annoying. This happens when I open photos on Facebook. I have to force close it to get back to where I was. I just bought an IPhone 13 pro Max.
Yes, it is very annoying indeed. Have you tried to bring up the App Switcher open another app and then return to Facebook. Does it help unfreeze, without force closing?
Also experiencing this super annoying video and photo closing glitch, Annoying enough I googled it and arrived here. iPhone 12.
Thanks for confirming Carole. You need to check the App Store section daily for new updates. Facebook will have to issue an app update to fix it. Not sure how long it will take though. We will update this article as soon as it’s available!
This has been happening to me in the Amazon app as well as Facebook, when viewing a photo in a review. So maybe not a Facebook-specific issue but an Apple issue?
This is new to me. Thanks for the report Sara. Wasn’t aware about the Amazon app freezing issue. iOS 15.1 is out now. If you update, please get back and let us know if the problem persists in this new release.
iPhone 12 user, and I feel it was doing this shortly before I upgraded to iOS 15. Was experiencing it a few days before, when I was in 14.8.1
Thanks for the feedback Nathan. Does it still freeze on you in iOS 15.1?
Me too have the same problem iPhone 13 pro max iOS 15.
Facebook and Amazon It happens when opening a picture (not all the time but it happens several times in a day) I have to close the apps and find the post/item that I was looking. So much trouble
Thanks for confirming Monica. This sounds like waisting a lot of time indeed. Have you tried to offload and reinstall the Amazon app in Settings -> General -> iPhone Storage -> Amazon -> Offload App -> Reinstall?
Happens to me,iPad mini 6 and IOS 15.0.2
Thanks for confirming. Look for a Facebook update in App Store. That’s where the fix will become available.
Iphone 12 pro. Same freezing in various apps and flickering videos on fb messenger and youtube.
Thanks for the feedback Della. We still experience freezing too, but flickering seems to have been fixed. Have you updated Messenger and YouTube to the latest app versions from the App Store?
I’m using an iPad Pro with the latest updates. It just started locking up the screen yesterday. I cannot read any comments or look at pictures other than just scrolling through. Any picture I open or comment I try to read will freeze. I have tried to minimize it and switch to another app but it crashes the Facebook app and closes it. I have deleted and re-installed the app 3 times and still have the same issue. I don’t have that issue on my iPhone XR.
Thanks for the detailed feedback Alisha. This is a really strange bug indeed. We’ll update this article as soon as a fix or a better workaround becomes available.
I have the same problem, been around since FB updated. Really annoying as no one is able to resolve this matter.
I’m have the same problem with my iPad. When I try to tap on comments in Facebook the app locks up and the only option is to close it. I’ve tried deleting and re-adding the app several times with no success. This started occurring yesterday.
Thanks for the feedback Jan. Is your iPad on iPadOS 15.1?
Same issue and it’s driving me nuts! I’ve tried all of the suggestions and nothing works.
Sorry to hear this. We’re checking for other fixes daily. But no breakthrough yet. It seems that only a software update can fix it.
I have iPad Pro (4th gen) 12.9” and iPhone 13 Pro Max both running iOS 15.1. Facebook is up to date (version 342.0,0,51.133).
IPad: trying to expand Comments will lock up, requiring app force quit
IPhone: no issues expanding the same post comments
Tried the following on iPad: hard power off/on cycle; delete & reinstall FB app; clear browser cache; enable/disable App tracking. None of these things worked, still freezing when trying to view Comments on a post if it says ‘# Comments.”
Pretty frustrated with it. I would suspect it’s something specific to iPad that’s different from iPhone, except other folks are reporting the same issue with iPhone. I hope FB or Apple get it straightened out soon – very annoying.
David, thanks for the extended feedback. Actually, we got more reports from iPad users lately. Can you remember when this started on your iPad Pro? Did you get through iPadOS 15.0, iPadOS 15.0.1 and iPadOS 15.0.2 before iPadOS 15.1?
I had same problem, when I click on the comments, Facebook app freezes.
I have iPad Pro 12.9” iPadOS 15.1 and the problem i noticed yesterday.
Thanks for confirming Tomas. Hopefully this will be fixed until the metaverse gets launched.
I have the same issue with my iPad Pro. Been happening since the weekend – thought it was a halloween prank! Done all the delete/reset, logout etc. Nothing works, however, no issues on my iPhone. Both fully up to date with latest IOS. It’s so frustrating, but now I feel better knowing I am not alone!
Thanks for reporting Juliet. No, unfortunately it wasn’t a Halloween prank. What puzzles me is the fact that iPhones aren’t affected.
I started noticing not too long after updating to 15.1. Didn’t see any issues at 15, 15.0.1 or 15.0.2. It’s frustrating because I can’t figure out if it’s iOS or FB. FB has more frequent updates, so hopefully they fix it, otherwise, guess we’ll all have to wait for iOS 15.next.
Thanks for reporting. Yes, this confuses me too, because we wrote this article as the issue was happening on the iPhone, prior to iOS 15.1 and now it seems that we get the same issue but for iPads, after iOS 15.1.
Same problem with iPad Air iOS 15.1, but it just started yesterday
Thanks for the feedback. Can you remember if you updated Facebook, yesterday?
No, I didn’t update it. Also, there aren’t currently any updates.
Thanks for the followup. You can try to use Facebook via Safari, as a temporarily workaround.
I’ll try that, thanks. Sorry for the second reply; I didn’t see that the other went through.
I have the same problem on my iPad Pro (3rd generation), iOS 15.1. Only in my case this happens when I click «comments» in order to read them. Many of the afore mentioned tricks help. Also, there seems to be a time-out of some sort. Waiting about 30-60 secs will unfreeze the Facebook app. This only happens with the app, not if I use facebook with a browser (Safari).
Thanks for the feedback and for the contribution. Yes, browsing Facebook via Safari instead of the app sounds like an acceptable workaround.
Happening here on iPad OS 15.1 on both iPad Mini 5 and iPad Pro 2020 12.9 tried all work rounds, but nothing improves the situation. There is a thread now on Apple Discussion threads with the same issue.
P.S.: I should add with the new version of Facebook that came out yesterday
Thanks for confirming. Performing further tests now.
Same on my iPad Pro, OS 15.1 – FB freezes if I tap on comments. I deleted, powered down, reinstalled, and same thing happens.
Try to use the web version in Safari, until we can an update that fixes it.
Exactly the same problem for me. Latest iPadOS and latest version of FB (Nov 5 update). Still the same problem
Thanks for confirming Don. Do you use any Bluetooth device with your iPad when this happens? Apparently Bluetooth connectivities seem to be the trigger.
Bluetooth doesn’t seem to be the culprit for me. I have the same problem even with BT completely turned off.
Thanks for the followup. This is crazy, I thought we managed to pinpoint, but now everything is on the table again.
Further trials, I’ve found that if I don’t have my Bluetooth keyboard connected I can go through 20 posts looking at comments (at that point I gave up) without the error, switching it back on I have the error again. Can’t help but think it may be something to do with the connection to Bluetooth
John, you’ve saved what’s left of my hair. Removed keyboard from iPad Air and all is well. … Keyboard has been relegated to a shelf until this is sorted.
Thanks for confirming the fix Eric and many thanks John for the contribution. I will update the fix in the main content of the article.
That’s an interesting find. Thanks for sharing.
Interesting. The Bluetooth connection might be the trick. I use the Apple Bluetooth keyboard folio case for my iPad, and also the Pencil 2. I have also had issues with occasional video stuttering when using my AirPods Pro, also a Bluetooth connection. Hmm. I know 15.1 had a modem update, I wonder if they broke a driver somewhere? Strange that it’s so specific to certain things that don’t seem to have anything to do with Bluetooth, though?
Thanks for the workaround!
I’d suggest we all report this via the app to Facebook including this link to show what has been tried and the work round too. Good luck everyone
There’s a thread on in the Apple forums on this right now…and while detaching the keyboard to expand FB comments, followed by reattaching to scroll comments is a valid workaround, a solution proposed this am seems to have resolved the FB comments freezing on my IPad Pro(2nd Gen) (ios 15.1, FB 343.1):
Settings | Accessibility | Keyboards | Full Keyboard Access – ON
:)
Thanks for the contribution Aurora. Will update your tip in the main content of the article. Let’s see if it helps others too.
Just saw this. BT on or off does not make a difference. But, detaching the keyboard on my iPad fixes the problem….The problem instantly comes back when the keyboard is reattached. I then, tried the work around from Aurora. That worked with the keyboard attached.
Great. Thanks for confirming Don.
Update…this does fix FB, but it makes a lot of other things a real pain. Ended up turning it back off because it messes with typing in most every other app.
Thanks for the followup Don. Just keep updating Facebook and iOS whenever a new version is available. Not sure what else to suggest.
I was just doing some web searching this am, to see if any new info had been found on this bug—and was charmed to see that my advice (which, to be clear, I’d gotten from someone else, in a discussion on Apple :)) was referenced and credited in your excellent list of troubleshooting options! Thanks! :)
I wanted to add something else, though…that IS actually my own discovery (although it’s not rocket science, so I’m sure others have figured it out as well ;))…turning on the Full Keyboard Access is a valid workaround…but since it’s meant to allow people to control their device with a keyboard, it means that certain common key sequences (like pressing the Home button, if you have one, or the space bar) will do things you don’t expect—pressing space, for instance, Activates Keyboard control—and then things can get pretty weird, pretty fast, if you’re not expecting it.
So…there are two things that I’ve been doing, to resolve the issues created by the workaround:
1 – remap unusual key combinations to the Home and space bar (Settings | Accessibility | Keyboards | Full Keyboard Access | Commands – then scroll down to, at the very least, “Activate” and change it from the space bar, to something unusual, lik Opt + ~ (Home should probably be remapped as well)
2 – even though this MOSTLY works I still find that periodically Full Keyboard Access seems to have activated on my iPad, and it gets in the way of what I want to do—so I just hop back into Settings, and turn it off, until the next time I need to open FB—at which point, I re-enable it. :)
This works with ios 15.1 and FB 343.1 (the last update, just over a week ago)—both of which appear to be the latest versions. :)
Hope that’s useful to someone else—and I REALLY hope FB and Apple decide whose fault this is and get a reliable update out soon! :)
Thanks alot for your contribution to this issue. I will link your workaround to the workaround so that everyone can benefit from this. Once again, we appreciate all your help.
AND—just found this in another thread in the Apple forums:
“Nov 13, 2021 7:10 PM in response to smlowry
[reiteration of keyboard fix – deleted for brevity] I have been advised by Apple’s Senior Support Team that they are aware of the problem with 15.1 and acknowledge that this is an IOS issue and they are working on a firmware update which should be released within the next week. Hope this helps and clarifies the situation”
Thanks for this Aurora. So, we do have the confirmation that it’s an iOS and not a Facebook issue. It seems that we might get iOS 15.1.1, before iOS 15.2 that’s currently beta tested and won’t be ready in one week.
Here’s a quick and easy solution which works for me and doesn’t require force-closing the Facebook app and reopening, thus losing where you were.
Swipe up to toggle between open apps,
Choose a different app,
Swipe up again and return to the open Facebook app,
“X” out of photo and carry on.
There is a workaround, I dare say solution, for this problem.
Settings>Accessibility>Keyboards>Full Keyboard Access>enable
This worked on my iPad Pro (4th gen) 12.9” with the Apple keyboard folio case – IOS 15.1. Hopefully this works for everyone else frustrated with this problem, too.
Thanks for confirming David. It’s mentioned in the article at number 4.
Solution: general – accessibility – keyboard – [on] full keyboard.
Thanks for confirming Jimmy.