Apr 23, 2014

Facebook introducing a new optional feature called Nearby Friends which help you to discover friends which are nearby on go


Facebook, one of the popular social networking website that connects you worldwide with your friends, families, and many other to your network, introducing a new optional feature called Nearby Friends which let you to discover friends which are near to you when you are on the go.

Earlier this month, Facebook added new voice calling feature over Internet functionality for its Messenger app worldwide, that helps its users make free voice calls to their online pals by just tapping the blue phone icon and now this new feature is optional as you can choose to turn on and off according to your need, i.e. you can turn off if you find it too intrusive or useless.

If you turn on nearby feature, you will occasionally be notified when your friends are near to you, so you can get in touch with them and meet up. For example, suppose you are headed to the movie and you are on the way to movie complex, Nearby Friends feature will let you know if any of yours friends are nearby so you can see the movie together or meet up afterward.


Nearby feature is an optional feature. Facebook has provided an option to restrict who can see if you’re nearby. For example, you can choose to be seen by your friends, close friends or a specific friends list that can be predefined ahead of enabling the “Nearby Friends” feature.


To see the location it is necessary for you and your friends both have to turn on Nearby Friends and choose to share with each other to see when you are nearby. Your friends only be able to see that you are nearby if you share this info with them and vice versa.

How to find your friends nearby and meet them

If you want your specific or particular friend can see you when you be nearby then you have to turn on the Nearby Friends and choose to share precise location with that particular friend you choose for a set period of time, such as the next hour. When you share your precise location, the friend you choose will see exactly where you are on a map, which helps you find each other. Then you can meet up and spend time together. Same way if you and your friend both want to see each other when you be nearby then you both have to turn on the Nearby Friends and share location to each other.

Facebook states that “When Nearby Friends is on, you can see when your friends are traveling if they’re also using this feature and sharing with you. You’ll be able to see the city or neighborhood they are in, including on their profile. When you see a friend visiting a place you’ve been, it’s the perfect opportunity to send a recommendation for a great restaurant. You can also make last-minute plans to meet up with a friend who happens to be in the same place you’re headed to.”

What More

What else we can expect from this new feature? May be in near future, Facebook could share your location data with the advertisers. It is just a nuisance when advertiser barge into your life, but it has far greater consequences when hackers or cyber criminals use to exploit such features to gather a lot of information about your life, your relationships, your preferences, and your comings and goings which you may not want to be in any untrusted hands. Facebook stated that Nearby Friends feature will available on Android and iOS in USA over coming weeks. Facebook has confirmed that the new feature will be released over the coming weeks, so it might not appear on your device right away.

There is no information from Facebook regarding if this feature on Android will be available in other countries or not in coming future.

Image source: newsroom.fb.com

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