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Why the Facebook App is So Buggy Especially on Android

Why Is Messenger So Buggy? Problems and Solutions

Tech Tips

Facebook Messenger is a messaging app that is part of the Facebook platform and the parent company Meta. It debuted as a standalone app in 2011 and has since grown to become one of the world’s most popular messaging apps.

Messenger has over a billion monthly active users, making it a major player in the social messaging app space. Messaging can be used for both personal and professional purposes. Aside from basic messaging functionalities, Messenger also features audio and video calls, group chats, and the ability to transfer money to friends. It can also be integrated with other apps and services, such as Uber and Spotify, enabling users to use them without leaving the Messenger app.

Checking Messenger at least a few times a day has almost become a daily ritual for many of us, but it doesn’t stop there. While we are connected to our friends and relatives through Facebook, we are able to communicate with them seamlessly via Messenger.

But with so many individuals using the platform on a daily basis, technical bugs are bound to occur. It has been discovered that Messenger frequently becomes buggy, and users are unaware of how to resolve the issues.

However, Facebook itself is not free from technical errors either. So, if you want to know more about Why the Facebook App is So Buggy, check out the linked article. But for now, let’s take a moment to analyze why Messenger is so buggy! 

Top Countries With the Most Messenger Users

Here’s a table of the top countries that use Facebook Messenger the most:

CountryNumber of Facebook Messenger Users (in millions)
USA216.5
India165.8
Brazil 98.9
Indonesia 78.4
Mexico 68.7
Philippines 54.7
Vietnam 43.1
Thailand 41.3
Turkey 37.2
Germany 34.4

Why Messenger is so Buggy?

In short – “Like any other social media app or application, Facebook Messenger is also not beyond any bugs and problems. It can be prone to bugs and glitches for several reasons. Messenger is integrated with many other applications and it works on many platforms like iOS, Android, and desktops. The more features and functionalities that are added to the app, the more chances there are for bugs to occur.”

More than 1.3 billion people use messenger which is a huge user base and different users may use the platform differently. Users may have different types of devices, network speeds, and usage patterns, which can expose different bugs. For example, if a user sends a message with an unsupported file format or a message with a large file attachment, it may cause the app to crash or freeze.

different types of devices and network speed

Additionally, if a user has too many conversations or too many contacts, it can slow down the app and lead to bugs and glitches. The large user base and their distinctive behavior pattern mean that the app must be tested extensively to ensure it works for everyone, which can be a significant challenge. Unless the challenge is resolved, users may find it difficult to use Messenger sometimes.

Since Messenger allows users to send messages, make voice and video calls, share photos and videos, play games, etc., the application uses a very complex algorithm to function. All of these features require a significant amount of code and programming, which translates to the user experiencing glitches and bugs.

However, these updates can also introduce new bugs or conflicts with other apps or operating system updates. It can also be difficult to test all possible scenarios and device configurations before releasing the update to the public. Apart from that, Messenger must also be secure and protect user privacy.

Security vulnerabilities and privacy issues can lead to data breaches, identity theft, or other malicious activities. To address these issues, developers may need to make changes that could unintentionally introduce new glitches.

How to fix Facebook Messenger bugs?

While Facebook Messenger is generally reliable, it can experience bugs and glitches from time to time. Henceforth, in this section, we will provide a detailed guide on how to fix Messenger bugs:

How to fix Facebook Messenger bugs
Image Source: businessinsider

Update the app

Installing the most recent update of the application is the first step in resolving Messenger bugs. Updates for apps are frequently made available to resolve bugs and enhance functionality. Go to your device’s app shop and type “Messenger” into the search bar to update the application. Click “Update” to obtain and install the most recent version if an update is available.

Restart 

You may try restarting the app if you are experiencing minor bugs. Restarting the app may help to fix the problem. Close the app entirely by swiping it away from your phone’s list of running apps. Restart the program to see if the bug has been resolved.

Clear the Cache

You may also try clearing the app cache if the above steps don’t work. The app cache is a temporary storage area that holds data to help the app run faster. However, sometimes the cache can become corrupted and cause issues. To clear the cache on Messenger, go to your device’s Settings, then tap on “Apps” or “Application Manager”. Find Messenger from the list of apps and tap on it. From there, select “Storage” and then tap “Clear Cache”.

Clear App Data

If clearing the app cache does not solve the problem, consider clearing the app data. This will delete all app-related data, including your login details and preferences. Follow the same steps as above, but this time select “Clear Data” rather than “Clear Cache” to delete app data on Messenger.

Clear App Data and Clear the Cache

Check The Internet Connection 

To function properly, Facebook Messenger needs a stable internet connection. If a user’s internet is slow or unstable, the app may not function properly, resulting in bugs and glitches. Furthermore, Facebook Messenger must interact with other servers and services in order to operate, and if those servers or services are down, the app’s performance will suffer.

Uninstall And Reinstall The App

If none of the above steps work, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the app. To do this, go to your device’s app store, search for Messenger, and then tap “Uninstall”. Once the app is uninstalled, reinstall it by downloading it from the app store.

Wrapping Up

Messenger app can be a complex application that requires constant testing and updates to ensure it works for all users. The large user base, frequent updates, security and privacy concerns, and use of third-party libraries and SDKs can all contribute to bugs and glitches in the app. Developers must work tirelessly to identify and fix these bugs to ensure users have a positive experience.

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Santos Cruickshank

Santos Cruickshank

With years of software development experience, Santos Cruickshank has a passion for exploring PC software and mobile apps. A former lead developer at Slack in 2017, he now freelances while educating others about software development and usage through his writing.