Facebook app not loading on iPad after update

If you have a VPN App or profiles installed, or a security/AV/firewall App such as Norton, these may be interfering with your iPad's network stack - even if the VPN connection is seemingly turned off. If applicable, the resolution is usually simple; if installed, you may need to remove the Security App and/or VPN from the device.

If this resolves your issue, the VPN and/or security App can be reinstated after the connectivity problem has been resolved.

If some Apps are working as expected, while others are not - or other devices can connect to your WiFi network - you may find that a restart of your WiFi Router, followed by a restart of your iPad will clear the problem….

To restart your router, disconnect power from the router for at least 30 seconds - then reconnect power to restart. After your router reboots (which may take several minutes), force restart your iPad:

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

1. Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
3. Press and hold the top button.
4. When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

chrisjcol wrote:

So does anyone know if it’s a facebook issue or the new ios 26.5?

There was a facebook update yesterday but that didn’t help!

This problem is not explicitly connected with the iPadOS 26.5 update - as the Facebook App for iPad has been working "as expected" prior to the most recent update of the Facebook App.

The current version of the Facebook App for iPad is fundamentally broken for all. Until the Facebook App for iPad is updated by the App Developer, forget it - as you're simply wasting both your time and aggravation in attempting (and failing) to get it to work.

Pending fix by the App Developer (Meta), you will need to use an alternative means of access. For iPad, use a web-browser. If you have an iPhone, the current version of the Facebook App continues to be functional.

In the meantime, direct complains direct to Facebook using Facebook's online resources - or using their own social media platform to loudly complain to the App Developer. Apple can't help will this issue.

wynkoopa wrote:

Mine just started doing that today.

The current version of the Facebook App for iPad is fundamentally broken for all. Until the Facebook App for iPad is updated by the App Developer, forget it - as you're simply wasting both your time and aggravation in attempting (and failing) to get it to work.

Pending fix by the App Developer (Meta), you will need to use an alternative means of access. For iPad, use a web-browser. If you have an iPhone, the current version of the Facebook App continues to be functional.

In the meantime, direct complains direct to Facebook using Facebook's online resources - or using their own social media platform to loudly complain to the App Developer. Apple can't help with this issue.

chrisjcol wrote:

So does anyone know if it’s a facebook issue or the new ios 26.5?

There was a facebook update yesterday but that didn’t help!

The current version of the Facebook App for iPad is fundamentally broken for all. Until the Facebook App for iPad is updated by the App Developer, forget it - as you're simply wasting both your time and aggravation in attempting (and failing) to get it to work.

Pending fix by the App Developer (Meta), you will need to use an alternative means of access. For iPad, use a web-browser. If you have an iPhone, the current version of the Facebook App continues to be functional.

In the meantime, direct complains direct to Facebook using Facebook's online resources - or using their own social media platform to loudly complain to the App Developer. Apple can't help will this issue.

Update - Portrait vs Landscape orientation

The most recent Facebook release fails to launch correctly with the iPad in Landscape orientation.

For those users struggling with this issue - try physically rotating the iPad from Landscape orientation to Portrait - then launch the Facebook App in Portrait orientation. The Facebook App should launch normally.

After Facebook is running normally, you can rotate the iPad back to Landscape orientation if preferred.

deedee137 wrote:

My Facebook on iPad does not work since last update! Are you going to fix???

The Apple Support Community is a user-to-user technical forum. Contributors here are all end-users, just like you. Other than the site Moderators, Apple neither monitor nor participate here. As such, if you anticipate that your post will be seen or acted upon by Apple, you will be disappointed.

The problem launching the current version of the Facebook App for iPad (version 563.0.0) is not a problem created or resolvable by Apple - but is a problem introduced by the last Facebook update. Current difficulties with the Facebook App for iPad can only be fixed by the App Developer (Meta). No doubt there will be another update released by Meta, within a few days, that will correct the current issue and/or create new or different problems.

The Facebook release fails to launch correctly with the iPad in Landscape orientation. For those users struggling with this issue - try physically rotating the iPad from Landscape orientation to Portrait - then launch the Facebook App in Portrait orientation. The Facebook App may launch normally. After Facebook is running normally, you can rotate the iPad back to Landscape orientation if preferred.

Others have had some success by disabling WiFi while launching the App:

1. Disable Wi-Fi
2. Launch the Facebook app. It will quickly skip past the "Logging in" screen to another that has a big Continue button.
3. Re-enable Wi-Fi
4. Tap the Continue button.

In the meantime, until such time as Meta releases a fresh update to the Facebook App, you need to direct your complaints to Meta. Try posting lots of comments on the Facebook platform itself - as this might actually be noticed by the App Developer. Complaining here will have absolutely no impact upon getting the problem properly resolved.

chrisjcol wrote:

There was a facebook update i sern this morning version 564 and it didn’t not fix this problem for me. Maybe the next version!

In case you haven't tried this already, try physically rotating your iPad from Landscape orientation to Portrait - or vice versa - ensuring that your iPad's screen rotation lock is disabled while doing so.

Multiple responses, both here and within other threads, report that physically rotating the screen orientation has successfully cleared the problem with Facebook for iPad version 263.0.0.

Speaking personally, having cleared the problem with '263, the latest release '264.0.0 continues to work normally.

graye208 wrote:

Believe not a Facebook issue as it is working fine on desktop, laptop and Motorola phone on my network. ONLY started after Apple update. Please assist.

It is a Meta issue where only the iPad version is affected and reported by others who are not even using iPad OS 26.5. The web version is fine and also no problem on the iPhone. There is nothing you can do but report the issue to Meta and wait for another update. The most recent one was 2 days ago and with 9 updates in just the last month it is apparent that very little in-house testing is being done before they are released and the users are the bug testers.

becinca wrote:

I started having the same issue today as well. The Facebook app works on my iPhone, but I can’t log into it on my iPad. I just get the “continuous circle to nowhere.”

Yep, you and everyone else that has the latest Facebook update installed. That update that causes the problem was released 3 days ago, but your device has installed it today. Eventually Meta will get around to providing a new update to fix the bug and until then you can use the web version of Facebook. Let Meta know that you are not happy with their app and report all problems to them.

I posted earlier with this issue. My son found a work around that worked for me.

While the circle is spinning put it in airplane mode,close the Facebook app and reopen it. It should come up with something like continue. Take it out of airplane mode and click continue. You should be able to get in. But if you close the app you will have to repeat the process. It’s a pain but it worked for me.

Hope it helps!

After trying all other solutions, including a complete iPad reset, here is what worked for me.

1. Launch Messenger on iPad
2. Launch Facebook using the FB icon (top left). FB should run normally.
3. Close both apps.
4. Launch Facebook. It should run normally there on.

I hope this works for you.

havent had issues with the app on my ipad pro m2 with 26.5

but if I did then I would likely try to delete the app

force restart the ipad Restart your iPad - Apple Support

and try to reinstall the app

if it still acted up then I suppose I would Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings using a computer - Apple Support

and set it up as new

What worked for me :

1. close facebook
2. disable wifi on ipad
3. start facebook
4. wait for Facebook to connect and when it does not, click on the continue button
5. enable wifi on iPad

Bsax wrote:

A hard update did not help! Fb still has the circle of death as someone called it. Maybe someone is trying to tell me something? Hopefully someone has a solution soon!

Perhaps you haven't seen one of my more recent replies to this thread...

Try physically rotating the iPad from Landscape orientation to Portrait - then launch the Facebook App in Portrait orientation. The Facebook App may launch normally. After Facebook is running normally, you can rotate the iPad back to Landscape orientation if preferred.

Others have had some success by disabling WiFi while launching the App:

1. Disable Wi-Fi
2. Launch the Facebook app. It will quickly skip past the "Logging in" screen to another that has a big Continue button.
3. Re-enable Wi-Fi
4. Tap the Continue button.

In the meantime, until such time as Meta releases a fresh update to the Facebook App, you need to direct your complaints to Meta. Try posting lots of comments on the Facebook platform itself - as this might actually be noticed by the App Developer. Complaining here will have absolutely no impact upon getting the problem properly resolved.

None of the previous suggestions resolved the fb issue on my iPad; reboot / delete & reinstall app / disconnect from vpn / etc.

I finally deleted my vpn definitions and Facebook’s app is now functioning correctly on my iPad … fingers crossed it holds until a corrected version is available for download.