If you’ve opened the Facebook app recently and noticed that the Nearby Friends feature is missing, not loading, or simply not showing at all, you’re not the only one. Thousands of Facebook users worldwide report the same issue: the feature either disappeared completely, fails to refresh location data, or shows friends as “Unavailable.”
Nearby Friends is meant to help users discover which friends are nearby in real time, but glitches, app updates, privacy settings, and device permissions often break the feature.
In this guide, we take a deep, researched look at what causes the issue and how you can fix Nearby Friends not working or showing on Facebook on both Android and iPhone.
What Is Nearby Friends on Facebook and Who Can Use It?
Facebook’s Nearby Friends is a location-based feature that lets you see which of your Facebook friends are physically near you. It works only when:
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Both users turn on Location Services
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Background location access is allowed
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Facebook has permission to track precise location
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The app is up-to-date
Originally launched in 2014, the feature has gone through several updates, restrictions, and even temporary removal in some regions due to privacy concerns. Because of this, the feature may not always be available for every user.
Why Nearby Friends Is Not Working or Showing on Facebook
Several factors can cause the feature to break or disappear. Based on user reports and app behavior, the most common reasons include:
1. Location Permissions Are Turned Off
Nearby Friends requires precise, real-time GPS access. If permissions are disabled, the option will not appear.
2. Background Location Is Disabled
Facebook cannot update your movement unless background access is granted.
3. Facebook App Version Bug
App updates frequently cause temporary glitches that hide or break location-based features.
4. Region or Country Restrictions
Facebook sometimes disables Nearby Friends in certain countries due to legal requirements.
5. Battery Saver Mode Interfering
On many devices, battery optimization stops Facebook from running location services in the background.
6. Feature Shut Down for Your Account
In some cases, Facebook restricts the feature for privacy or security reasons.
7. Corrupted App Cache
Damaged or outdated cache files may prevent location features from working correctly.
How to Fix Nearby Friends Not Working or Not Showing on Facebook
Below are the most reliable troubleshooting steps to restore the feature on your device.
1. Enable Location Services for Facebook
On Android:
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Go to Settings
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Tap Location
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Select App Permissions
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Tap Facebook
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Set Allow All the Time
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Enable Use Precise Location
On iPhone:
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Open Settings
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Go to Privacy & Security → Location Services
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Select Facebook
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Choose Always Allow
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Turn on Precise Location
Tip: Without Precise Location, Nearby Friends cannot calculate distance accurately.
2. Turn On Nearby Friends Inside Facebook
Inside your Facebook app:
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Tap the Menu (☰)
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Scroll down to Settings & Privacy
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Tap Settings
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Search for Location
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Enable these options:
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Location History
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Background Location
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Nearby Friends
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If any of these are disabled, the feature may disappear.
3. Update the Facebook App
An outdated app may not display certain features.
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Open Google Play Store or Apple App Store
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Search Facebook
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Tap Update
If the Nearby Friends feature was bugged in the previous version, updating often restores it.
4. Clear Cache and App Data (Android Only)
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Go to Settings
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Tap Apps → Facebook
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Tap Storage
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Select Clear Cache
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If the issue persists, tap Clear Data
This resets the app and fixes most loading issues.
5. Disable Battery Saver or Optimization
Battery management may prevent Facebook from sending location updates.
Steps:
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Turn off Battery Saver Mode
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In App Battery Usage, allow Facebook to run in background
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Disable Adaptive Battery
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Exclude Facebook from battery optimization
6. Reinstall Facebook App
If the app files are corrupted, reinstalling ensures a clean installation.
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Uninstall Facebook
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Restart your phone
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Reinstall the app from Play Store or App Store
7. Check If Nearby Friends Is Available in Your Country
Facebook sometimes disables the feature due to local policies. If the feature does not appear even after fixing settings, it may not be supported in your region.
Is Nearby Friends Being Removed by Facebook?
Facebook temporarily removed or limited the feature in some countries after privacy law updates (GDPR, CCPA). While not officially discontinued globally, its availability varies widely.
If you previously had the feature and now it disappeared, it is most likely due to:
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An app update glitch
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A regional rollout change
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Permission settings being reset
Extra Tips to Improve Accuracy
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Ensure Wi-Fi is enabled for better GPS calibration
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Keep Facebook running in the background
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Enable Location History
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Turn on Bluetooth (helps location accuracy on iOS)
When to Contact Facebook Support
If none of the fixes work, contact Facebook Help Center and report:
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App version
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Device model
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Screenshot of missing feature
Some accounts may be experiencing server-side issues.
Conclusion
Facebook’s Nearby Friends feature is extremely useful but also sensitive to permissions, app updates, and system settings. Fortunately, most issues can be solved in minutes by enabling precise location, updating the app, clearing cache, or adjusting privacy settings.
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