Facebook is one of the most widely used social media platforms in the world, with billions of users engaging daily. Most people are familiar with posting photos, sharing updates, and messaging friends—but Facebook is packed with hidden tools and settings that many users never discover. These little-known Facebook features can significantly enhance your experience, whether you’re using the platform for personal enjoyment, networking, or business.
In this article, we’ll uncover some of the most surprising and useful Facebook tips and tricks. These aren’t your everyday features they’re the kind of secret Facebook tools that even long-time users might have missed. If you want to become a Facebook power user, keep reading.
1. Legacy Contact & Memorialization Settings
Have you ever thought about what happens to your Facebook account after you pass away? Facebook allows you to set a Legacy Contact, a trusted person who can manage your memorialized account. This includes writing a pinned post, updating profile photos, and responding to friend requests. Alternatively, you can request that your account be permanently deleted.
You can find this setting under Settings & Privacy > Settings > Memorialization Settings. It’s a powerful yet underutilized feature that gives users peace of mind and control over their digital legacy.
2. Off-Facebook Activity Tool
This is one of the most overlooked yet powerful Facebook privacy hacks. The Off-Facebook Activity tool shows you which websites and apps are sharing your activity with Facebook. You can clear this history and even disconnect future tracking from specific sites.
To access it, go to Settings > Your Facebook Information > Off-Facebook Activity. Many users are shocked to see just how much data is collected and how interconnected their digital life really is.
3. Saved Posts & Collections
Ever see an interesting article or recipe and want to save it for later? Facebook’s Saved Posts feature lets you do just that and then some. You can also organize these saved posts into Collections, similar to Pinterest boards. This is ideal for organizing content like workout routines, travel ideas, or business resources.
You can find your saved items under the Menu tab. This hidden Facebook feature is incredibly useful for content curation and personal organization.
4. Quiet Mode
Tired of constant notifications pulling you back into the app? Facebook’s Quiet Mode can help. It’s designed to mute notifications and limit your app usage during designated times.
Navigate to Settings & Privacy > Your Time on Facebook > Manage Your Time > Quiet Mode. This is one of the best Facebook tips and tricks for anyone trying to reduce screen time and distractions.
5. Nearby Friends
Facebook Nearby Friends is a location-based feature that lets you see which friends are close by in real-time. It’s perfect for spontaneous meetups or tracking your travel buddies during events or festivals. You can also share your live location with selected contacts for a specific time.
Privacy settings allow you to control who can see your location, making this a convenient and safe option for real-world socializing.
6. Secret Message Requests
Did you know Facebook Messenger has a hidden inbox? When someone who isn’t your friend messages you, the message usually ends up in a filtered inbox called Message Requests. Even more hidden is a folder labeled “Spam” or “Filtered Requests,” where messages can go unseen for years.
To access this, open Messenger, tap your profile photo, then go to Message Requests > Spam. You might be surprised at what’s lurking in there.
7. Download Your Facebook Data
Facebook offers an easy way to download your entire data archive, including messages, photos, likes, and more. This is especially useful for those who want to back up their digital history or audit their online presence.
Go to Settings > Your Facebook Information > Download Your Information. You can choose the date range, file format, and types of data. This is one of those secret Facebook tools that’s incredibly valuable, yet often ignored.
8. Facebook Watch Party
Although it’s not as widely promoted, Watch Party lets groups of users watch videos together in real-time and comment live. It’s a fun way to engage with friends, family, or community groups over shared interests.
While this feature has become more limited in recent updates, it’s still available in some group settings. If you’re a group admin, it’s worth exploring this tool for deeper engagement.
9. Customize Feed Preferences
If you’re tired of seeing the same types of posts or missing updates from certain friends, you can customize your feed preferences. Facebook allows you to prioritize who appears first, unfollow people without unfriending them, and even reconnect with people you previously muted.
To customize your feed, go to Settings & Privacy > News Feed Preferences. This is one of the easiest Facebook tips and tricks to improve your daily experience on the platform.
10. Check Hidden Inbox on Messenger
Different from message requests, the Hidden Inbox on Messenger is where Facebook sends messages that are flagged as potentially unsafe or spammy. Many users don’t even know this folder exists, but it’s worth checking occasionally.
To find it, open Messenger > Profile Icon > Message Requests > Spam. This hidden Facebook feature can sometimes contain legitimate messages that got filtered incorrectly.
Bonus: Tools for Business Users
Facebook Ad Library
If you manage a Facebook Page or run ads, the Facebook Ad Library is an essential tool. It allows you to search any Page and view the ads they’re currently running. This is especially useful for competitor research and campaign inspiration.
You can access it at facebook.com/ads/library. It’s one of the best secret Facebook tools for digital marketers.
Page Insights
Page Insights goes beyond basic analytics to show you detailed data on your audience, post performance, and engagement trends. If you run a Facebook Page for business or content creation, this tool is a goldmine for optimizing your strategy.
Go to your Page > Insights tab. Most users only scratch the surface of what’s available here.
Conclusion
Facebook is far more than just a place to scroll and share memes. With its vast ecosystem of features, it offers tools that can enrich your digital life if you know where to find them. From hidden Facebook features like Quiet Mode and secret inboxes to Facebook privacy hacks like the Off-Facebook Activity tool, there’s always more to explore.
I’m Maxwell Warner, a content writer from Austria with 3+ years of experience. With a Media & Communication degree from the University of Vienna, I craft engaging content across tech, lifestyle, travel, and business.
