How to Remove Meta from Facebook: A Step-by-Step Guide

The rebranding of Facebook to Meta has sparked a lot of conversation, and you might be wondering if it’s possible to remove the ‘Meta’ branding from your Facebook experience. While you can’t entirely remove Meta from Facebook (it’s the parent company now!), you can significantly minimize its visibility and focus on the familiar Facebook experience. This article will guide you through various ways to manage your relationship with the Meta branding on Facebook.

Understanding the Meta Rebrand

Before we dive into the ‘how,’ it’s important to understand what the Meta rebrand means. Meta is the parent company that owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other services. The rebrand aimed to represent a shift towards a broader vision of the metaverse. However, on Facebook itself, the core functionality and user interface haven’t changed dramatically.

What You CAN’T Remove

It’s crucial to be realistic. You cannot remove the following:

• The Meta Logo on Loading Screens: You’ll still see the Meta logo on loading screens and in some promotional materials.
• References to Meta in Legal Documents: Meta will be the name used in all legal documents and terms of service.
• The Link Between Other Meta Apps: Facebook will continue to be interconnected with other Meta products like Instagram.

What You CAN Minimize

While you can’t fully remove Meta, you can take steps to minimize its prominence in your daily Facebook use:

1. Customize Your Facebook App Icon (Mobile Only)

On mobile devices (both Android and iOS), you can customize the app icon using third-party launchers or shortcuts. This won’t remove Meta from within the app, but it can help you personalize your home screen:

For Android:

1. Install a Launcher: Download a third-party launcher app like Nova Launcher or Action Launcher from the Google Play Store.
2. Set the Launcher as Default: Follow the launcher’s instructions to set it as your default home app.
3. Change the Icon: Most launchers allow you to long-press on an app icon, select ‘Edit’ or similar, and then choose a new icon from your gallery or an icon pack. You can select an older Facebook logo or any image you like.

For iOS:

1. Use the Shortcuts App: Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Create a New Shortcut: Tap the ‘+’ icon to create a new shortcut.
3. Add Action: Tap ‘Add Action’ and search for ‘Open App.’
4. Choose App: Tap ‘Choose’ and select the Facebook app.
5. Add to Home Screen: Tap the ‘…’ icon in the top right, then ‘Add to Home Screen.’
6. Customize Icon: Here, you can change the name and icon of the shortcut before adding it to your home screen. Select an image from your gallery or find an old Facebook logo.
7. Add: Tap ‘Add.’

You’ll now have a custom icon on your home screen that doesn’t feature the Meta branding.

2. Avoid Meta-Related Promotional Content

Facebook frequently showcases Meta-related news and promotional content. While you can’t completely eliminate these, here are some things you can do:

• Unfollow Meta-Related Pages: If you’ve liked or followed pages directly associated with Meta, consider unfollowing them to reduce the likelihood of seeing their posts.
• Hide Sponsored Content: When you see a Meta-sponsored post, click the three dots and choose ‘Hide Post’ or ‘Report Ad.’ You can select ‘I don’t like this ad’ as the reason, which might help reduce similar content in the future.
• Use the ‘See Less’ Option: If you see posts you don’t like, utilize the ‘See Less’ or ‘Hide All From [Source]’ option to fine-tune your news feed.

3. Ignore Meta Branding (Mental Approach)

Ultimately, much of your experience with the Meta rebrand is psychological. It’s the name of the parent company, but the core functionality of Facebook remains the same. You can try to mentally focus on the features and groups you care about while treating the ‘Meta’ label as background information.

Conclusion

While you can’t entirely remove Meta from Facebook, you can minimize its presence through the steps mentioned above. By customizing your app icon, actively managing your news feed, and adjusting your mindset, you can create a more familiar and comfortable Facebook experience. The key is to focus on the aspects of Facebook that you enjoy while recognizing that Meta is here to stay as the parent company. Don’t get bogged down by the rebranding; instead, take control of your own experience.