Facebook app has seen a lot of design changes and UI improvements in the past few months. The company is now A/B testing a new UI for its Android app. To make one-hand navigation easier while using the app, Facebook is moving the shortcut bar to the bottom. Meanwhile, the iPhone app has bottom tabs since long but you cannot swipe between them.
The shortcut bar on Facebook is the navigation bar with tabs such as News Feed, Notifications, and Menu. It also includes user-customizable shortcuts for the Profile and Watch tab.
Facebook moves shortcut bar to bottom on Android
The decision to change the position of the menu bar, navigation bar or shortcut bar (whatever you like to call it) does make sense. That’s because a bottom navigation bar makes it simpler to access different tabs. Moreover, most Android phones now boast a tall screen, thus making it difficult to reach to the top with a single hand. Though the ability to swipe between the tabs dodges this issue.
That said, it is solely a matter of personal choice. While the majority of users don’t care about such revision in design. At the same time, some people prefer the Menu bar at the bottom and vice-versa.
Can I move Facebook Shortcut bar to top or bottom?
Perhaps, if you can’t see the menu bar at the bottom on Facebook for Android then you aren’t alone. Facebook seems to be testing the updated UI with a limited audience. It is a server-side rollout and hence you may not see the change even after sideloading the latest Facebook APK (version 265.0.0.60.103). Your best bet would be to update Facebook to the latest stable version from Google Play or APK Mirror.
Coming to the point, it is not possible to move the shortcut bar on the Facebook app back to the top after getting the new update. Unfortunately, there is no setting either that lets users choose between a top or bottom menu bar. One has to adapt to the bottom tabs if Facebook sticks to the new interface.
Thankfully, Facebook lets you personalise the tabs that you want to display in the shortcuts bar.
To change shortcut bar settings, go to the Menu tab > Settings & Privacy > Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap the “Shortcut Bar” option. Then turn on/off the toggle next to the shortcuts for the profile, video, groups, marketplace and friend requests.
In addition, you can turn off shortcut notification dots on Facebook app.
