Short answer: the old era of third-party Facebook "apps" (quizzes, games, tools) is largely gone, and many were privacy risks anyway. What is genuinely useful now are Facebook's own built-in features: Saved, Marketplace, Groups, Events, privacy controls and Memories. Here are the ones worth actually using.
Built-in features that are genuinely useful
- Saved: bookmark posts, links and videos to view later, tap Save on any post, find them under Saved.
- Marketplace: buy and sell locally; often better than classified sites for nearby items.
- Groups: the real value of Facebook now, communities for hobbies, local areas, support and interests.
- Events: discover and organize local happenings and RSVP.
- Memories: see your posts from years ago on this day.
Privacy and control tools (use these)
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| Privacy Checkup | Review who sees your stuff |
| Off-Facebook Activity | See/limit data other sites share |
| Ad preferences | Control ad targeting |
| Download Your Information | Back up your data |
Why the old third-party apps faded
After data-privacy scandals, Facebook restricted third-party apps' access to your data, and many quiz/game "apps" turned out to be data-harvesters. If you still have old apps connected, remove the ones you do not use under Settings > Apps and websites, they are a common overlooked privacy leak.
Get more from Groups (the real gem)
Groups are where Facebook is still genuinely valuable. Join local buy-and-sell, hobby, and community groups; use the search within a group to find past discussions; and set notifications so you only hear from the groups that matter. For many people, Groups are now the main reason to keep Facebook at all.
The non-obvious tip: audit your connected apps today
The single most useful "Facebook app" action now is removal: open Settings > Apps and websites and delete every old game, quiz or service you no longer use. Each one may still have access to parts of your profile. Cleaning this list is a two-minute privacy win that the old "top apps" lists never mentioned, because back then, adding apps was the whole point.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most useful Facebook features now?
Built-in ones: Saved for bookmarking posts, Marketplace, Groups (the biggest value), Events, Memories, and the privacy and data-download tools.
What happened to third-party Facebook apps?
Facebook restricted their data access after privacy scandals, and many were data-harvesters. Remove old connected apps under Settings > Apps and websites.
How do I control my Facebook privacy?
Use Privacy Checkup, review Off-Facebook Activity, adjust ad preferences, and remove unused connected apps, all in Settings.
Why are Facebook Groups useful?
They host active communities for hobbies, local areas and support, and are now the main reason many people keep Facebook. Tune notifications per group.
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