Facebook Settings They Forgot About

Note to reader: This blog post was originally written in 2018. Some settings have moved and changed names. I have done what I can to update this post with the interfaces that were present in November 2022, but some things might not be entirely accurate anymore.

Facebook seems to be on a security breach, hole plug mode, with new updates and new features that are constantly coming online. (And some settings are disappearing.) I am updating this post as I discover more settings. If you desire, you can just skip to the updates and the new settings that I've found.

Unless you have been hiding in a hole somewhere, and NOT on Facebook, then you will know about the blowup that is going on about how the Facebook app seems to be accessing information from outside its app — in particular contact details. It's not surprising that people are all up in arms over this. This sort of information should be private, and Facebook should only be accessing information that we've given them permission to access.

Cue the evil doer music, because... Guess what... You did give permission for Facebook to access that information when you installed the Facebook or Facebook Messenger app on your phone. And permission wasn't given by installing the app. Permission was given by a hidden setting that syncs your contact details on your phone with Facebook. Here's the kicker... The setting is set to ON by default — sort-of.

There is actually a dialog that asks if you want to sync your contacts, but the only options it gives is Learn More and OK. How is the average user supposed to know that buried at the bottom of the Learn More option is a tiny Not Now link? So most people hit OK, and presto... You just gave Facebook permission to access your contacts list.

But not all hope is lost. Here's how you can change it, and remove your contracts list from Facebook, without uninstalling the apps — not that uninstalling the apps would remove your contacts list from Facebook anyway.

Stop that Mobile Device from Syncing Contacts

Before you go into the back end of Facebook to sanitize your contacts list from the system, you might want to stop your mobile device from syncing your contacts. This needs to be done on EVERY mobile device that you use separately, and you do it from the phone or tablet.

Be sure that you are following the instructions for the right type of device, be it an Android or running on iOS. Both instructions are given.

According to the Facebook website, there is supposed to be a Continuous Contacts Upload setting in the main Facebook app too, but I must be blind, because I've been through every inch of the app that was on my phone November 2022, and I couldn't find the setting. (I wonder if they took it away.)

You can clean the contacts that you had inadvertently added to Facebook through your Android device, but to save on space within this post, I elected to provide information on how to do this through the web. That information is included at the bottom of this post.

To clean your contacts details from Facebook, you will need to visit each of the following pages in turn.

URL 1:

Go to www.facebook.com/invite_history.php
Select the Remove all contacts link
At first, it will appear as though it didn't work. Trust me, it has. It can take a few minutes for Facebook to wake up and realize that you have asked it to do something.
Be advised that this DOES NOT delete your Friends list.

URL 2:

Go to www.facebook.com/mobile/messenger/contacts
Select the Delete All button
At first, it will appear as though it didn't work. Trust me, it has. It can take a few minutes for Facebook to wake up and realize that you have asked it to do something.
Be advised that this DOES NOT delete your Friends list.

Note: The system should also say Syncing is disabled.

Other ways to protect yourself on Facebook

Followers of my blog will know that I'm a BIG fan of protecting yourself online: protect yourself and your reputation. All of your actions need to be with that in mind. However, so many of us are quick to take the easy road.

A large number of sites now provide the option of logging into the site using Facebook. Think before you do this. The moment you do, you give Facebook the right to access any information about your activities on that site. Is this really want you want to do?

Even those quizzes and joke programs want you to login with Facebook. Games give rewards for logging into Facebook.

People, it's NOT worth it.

If you want to clean out the apps that are accessing Facebook, or vice versa, you can do this from Android, iOS, and a web browser.

On Android and iOS, you will find the connected apps under the Account Settings.

On a web browser, the connected apps can be viewed from the Settings option from the drop-down menu on the main toolbar.

Be careful which apps that you disconnect. Some will be your publicize features for your blogs, if you have one.

On the Apps page on all three, you will also find another setting called Apps others use. This will determine what information from your personal profile that you allow your Friends to take with them when they use one of those external apps that accesses Facebook. (I have all options on my profile disabled.)

Update: 8-Nov-2022

While the settings are still there (I think, I can't find the one in the main Facebook app anymore), the interfaces have changes so much over the years that this blog post needed updating. This post has now been updated to reflect the new interfaces.

Update: 29/03/18 1:40pm

Within less than 12 hours of this post going live, Facebook had updated their systems (Android, iOS and web), such that the Apps others use features had been removed. The scary thing: there is now no way to ensure that others aren't inadvertently sharing your information. I hope this means that Facebook is now disabling the information sharing across the ENTIRE network. I'm only guessing here, but I believe that this removal of feature is in response to the probable court action that Facebook is now facing due to breach of privacy.

There is a new feature called Game and App Notifications that relates to whether friends are allowed send you game requests or app updates from programs linked into Facebook. My recommendation: set this to OFF. However, if you have a website that is provides links to your Facebook page, or is posting blog post announcements on your page, don't turn off Apps, websites and games. If you do, you will encounter issues with your website.

Another Update: 30/03/18 12:50pm

Facebook is clearly on the update task, trying to do some damage control with regards to these security breaches. Well, this morning, playing around and looking at settings, I discovered a whole NEW bunch of possible security risks. Under the Apps settings, as discussed above, you will find something called Logged in with Facebook. This will show you the individual external apps that have access to various components of your Facebook account.

DON'T just delete these apps willy-nilly. Some have specific purposes, e.g., on my own list, there is a specific app that allows my tablet to access my Facebook, without it, my tablet and Facebook will cease talking to one another; and I have apps that allow my blog to post to Facebook when new posts go out, and provide the ability to put MailChimp signup forms on my public Facebook pages.

However, there is zero reason why Mailchimp or WordPress needed access to my Friends List. Yes, folks, I too had fallen into this security trap and had no idea it had happened. Let's just say that the moment I discovered the setting, I corrected the issue.

In general, the security risks on Facebook are actually because people are not fully aware of what security options exist and what they do. However, when it comes to protecting yourself online, you need to take a proactive stance. Only you can really protect you.

Discover more Hidden Traps

While this particular trap was not included in my book Hidden Traps, you will find a whole range of other risks that writers, and other online personalities, could be falling into without knowing it.

At the end of the day, it's about protecting yourself and your reputation.

Hidden Traps of the Internet (Judy L Mohr)

Author: Judy L Mohr
Tags: Books by the Black Wolf Editor, Other Resources, Writer's Platforms

Building an online platform is an overwhelming and daunting task, with many pitfalls and horror stories surrounding the internet. It’s not surprising that many writers shy away from online activities, putting that online presence into the do-it-later category. But to survive in today’s publishing industry, a writer needs to be online.

This book focuses on how to build an online platform in a safe manner. Judy talks you through the various components of an online platform, showing you the tricks to staying safe online, carving out your own little corner of the internet while building that author platform.

More info →