Facebook Forcing Users to Install 'Moments' App to Retain Synced Photos

[MacRumors]

Facebook has begun notifying users who upload photos from their iOS devices that their synced albums will be deleted next month (via TechCrunch).

Facebook's iOS photo syncing feature was launched in 2012, and let users automatically upload all photos on their mobile devices to a private album called 'Synced' or 'Synced from Phone'.

The idea behind the feature was that copying the photos makes it easier to find and share pictures with friends on the social network.

Users are now being informed by email and via app notifications that these albums will cease to exist on July 7, and that they should either download the albums, or install the company's photo-centric Moments app to retain their uploaded status.

News of the change has seen the Moments app shoot up the App Store's Top Free Apps chart, where it currently ranks #2 ahead of Facebook's hugely popular Messenger app, which sits at #3.

The forced adoption of yet another Facebook app has caused consternation among a number of social media account holders, who were subject to a similar heavy-handed approach in early 2014.

I'm gonna delete @facebook from my phone before I install Messenger AND Moments! Facebook is the new MySpace. https://t.co/ewszcNBEGY - Ray Ulrich (@ulrichray) June 2, 2016

On that occasion, the company pushed all users to download Facebook Messenger after it removed the chat feature from its flagship app. Messenger has remained among the App Store's top-ranking free apps ever since.

This month, the company also announced that it would be removing chat from its mobile web app too, leaving users with no other option but to download Messenger if they want to continue using the feature on their phones or tablets.

In related news, Facebook announced this week that it has begun rolling out a new 360-degree photo feature across the social network, which will let users view uploaded panoramic shots and 360-degree photos in a more immersive way.

Photos compatible with the 360 feature are identified by a compass icon on the right-hand side of the shot once it has been uploaded. Mobile users can explore a photo by tapping and dragging it or by moving their phone, while desktop users can click and drag it with their mouse or trackpad.

Moments is a free download for iPhone and iPad available on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Facebook Forcing Users to Install 'Moments' App to Retain Synced Photos

 

[Crosscreek]

I don not "Like" FB and do not use it personally. The only time I go there is if it is linked to an article or product.

 

[smacrumon]

This is why Facebook is one of the most hated platforms and why users are leaving. Facebook is MySpace, full of spam, hatred, abandoned pages etcetera. This certainly wasn't Zuckerberg's vision, but is the result of the trolls running the show now. Ever heard of a great user experience, Facebook? Forcing users to do something with a threat of blowing up their collection of photos is disgusting. Keep coercing customers, Facebook. See how that pans out long term.

 

[Glassed Silver]

My God, if this company tries to harvest as much frustration as possible they are doing an amazing job at it!

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[XMZ-250]

Like they forced us to install messenger when the in-app chat was better.

 

[Plutonius]

I'm not sure why people are complaining since Facebook is free. If you were actually paying for the product, then you would have grounds for complaints.

 

[captain cadet]

Do I really need a folder for Facebook?...

 

[tigres]

Never used FB, never will.

 

[illitrate23]

Suspiciously, I tried several times but was unable to load this articles page within the Facebook app's built-in browser, but it loaded instantly when I passed it to Safari.
Will Facebook be launching their own browser app next and force everyone to download that too?

 

[Gymgenius]

People still use Crapbook?

 

[lolkthxbai]

Glad I got out when getting was good. Kill it with fire.

 

[Aluminum213]

Moments will now be top downloaded app

Everyone said they wouldn't ever be forced to download messenger and they all did

 

[25ghosts]

Facebook is the definition of Social Media. Only since its arrival socializing has suffered. It is about the worst thing one can treat himself with. Facebook is a one way ticket to becoming unsocial. 1000s of Virtual Friends and friends loosing their dignity with selfies etc. Zuckerberg had to create Facebook to get friends. No one would have followed him in real life without Facebook. Facebook is his idea of being social. How social is 10 people meeting to meet only to sit and stare at their 'smart' - phones and check if someone they dont really know, liked them... Almost amusing if it was not so darn sad.

And on top of that, Mark gets to rape all his users who will happily do whatever he SAYS !!

Slavery was harmless compared to Facebook. Wait n See !

 

[Tubamajuba]

I'm not sure why people are complaining since Facebook is free. If you were actually paying for the product, then you would have grounds for complaints.

Mark? Is that you?

 

[jezbd1997]

This is why Facebook is one of the most hated platforms and why users are leaving. Facebook is MySpace, full of spam, hatred, abandoned pages etcetera. This certainly wasn't Zuckerberg's vision, but is the result of the trolls running the show now. Ever heard of a great user experience, Facebook? Forcing users to do something with a threat of blowing up their collection of photos is disgusting. Keep coercing customers, Facebook. See how that pans out long term.

I wouldn't say people are leaving it, there's just more annoyance when using it when we get pushed to do things (messenger was the worst thing to be dragged into)
[doublepost=1465654903][/doublepost]

Moments will now be top downloaded app

Everyone said they wouldn't ever be forced to download messenger and they all did

I wondered why it went to the #1 app in Australia, now I know why....
[doublepost=1465654946][/doublepost]

Never used FB, never will.

Well, you are missing out

 

[Chabba]

And on top of that, Mark gets to rape all his users who will happily do whatever he SAYS !!

Slavery was harmless compared to Facebook. Wait n See !

I don't think you understand what rape and slavery really are.
You volunteered to sign up for Facebook. Don't like it, don't use it. If you say you don't use it, this up doesn't affect you.

 

[naeS1Sean]

I'm on Facebook's side. I'm also probably one of very few. Apple and Google do the same thing. Remember the iPod app on the iPhone? Now its Videos + Music + Podcasts. If they can make Facebook better by doing this then thats perfectly fine with me. 1 extra free app ints a big deal. Juts my 2 cents.

And no, I'm not Mark and I don't have stock in Facebook. I just like it sometimes.

 

[Shirasaki]

So. More and more companies are using whatever methods possible to force user using subpar products and services, with premium prices?
Note: price != money.

 

[Tycho24]

Never used FB, never will.

We are the same boat, my friend! =)

 

[Carlanga]

I don not "Like" FB and do not use it personally. The only time I go there is if it is linked to an article or product.

I have mine set pretty private. I do like using it for the major purpose of login into websites and places to eat. Makes me more secure that I don't have to worry about a hack in a board or website. I also keep it because I was in fb since 06 and have a lot of pictures from college days when everyone upload and tag everyone, they are all backup though so I don't care much these days what's left.

 

[B4U]

We are the same boat, my friend! =)

I would take a bullet in my head and still would not use FailBook.

 

[smacrumon]

I wouldn't say people are leaving it, there's just more annoyance when using it when we get pushed to do things (messenger was the worst thing to be dragged into)
[doublepost=1465654903][/doublepost]
I wondered why it went to the #1 app in Australia, now I know why....
[doublepost=1465654946][/doublepost]
Well, you are missing out

A few people I know have actually deleted their accounts, not just suspending them. Email and iMessage is where it's at.

 

[Tycho24]

Well, you are missing out

Lol, condescending much??!!

The assumption that people that eschew Facebook don't know what it is or what it does, is the height of egotistical ignorance.

Please.
Yeah; believe it or not: we can actually grasp the concept. And we are not "missing out"; trust.
As a matter of fact.... I challenge you to d/l a timer app & for a day, press it every time you waste your life on that time vampire; then- come back here & post to me in minutes and seconds the quantified amount YOU are missing out on life... I will be looking into my daughter's beautiful eyes during that time, listening to her slowly starting to connect in her perfect little brain the sounds animals make with photos of them in her picture books.
Perhaps if a colleague of a former flatmate's cousin saw a video of something equally precious & posted it on FB, you will be able to semi experience that type of joy third-hand.
Enjoy the disconnect.
I absolutely LOVE technology; it is my lifeblood, career, & passion- but miss me with Facebook please. It is the antithesis of all which I hold dear.

 

[Pakaku]

Facebook is the definition of Social Media. Only since its arrival socializing has suffered. It is about the worst thing one can treat himself with. Facebook is a one way ticket to becoming unsocial. 1000s of Virtual Friends and friends loosing their dignity with selfies etc. Zuckerberg had to create Facebook to get friends. No one would have followed him in real life without Facebook. Facebook is his idea of being social. How social is 10 people meeting to meet only to sit and stare at their 'smart' - phones and check if someone they dont really know, liked them... Almost amusing if it was not so darn sad.

And on top of that, Mark gets to rape all his users who will happily do whatever he SAYS !!

Slavery was harmless compared to Facebook. Wait n See !

I don't like facebook either, but this takes it to childishly-comical proportions

 

[mrgraff]

I'm not sure why people are complaining since Facebook is free. If you were actually paying for the product, then you would have grounds for complaints.

Getting something for free doesn't negate my right to an opinion about it. True, I can't get upset if my complaints are ignored. But if you feel like I shouldn't bother, then most of the App Store should get rid of the review section.