Facebook version 1255 for iOS is not a practical daily driver. It is a digital artifact. Installing it requires either a time machine (an old iPhone on an obsolete OS) or a high tolerance for sideloading troubleshooting.
However, for the 20 minutes you scroll through it, you remember what social media felt like before the algorithm turned into a casino. It was slower, quieter, and arguably, better. As Facebook pushes further into the metaverse and AI-generated content, builds like 1255 serve as a reminder of the product we originally signed up for: a simple, blue rectangle connecting you to your friends.
If you have an old iPhone 6 in a drawer, and an evening to spare, give it a try. Just don't expect to post a Reel.
Disclaimer: Downloading and sideloading modified or old IPAs violates Facebook's Terms of Service. Your account may be flagged for "suspicious activity" or temporarily locked. Use at your own risk and never install untrusted IPAs from unknown sources on a device with banking information.
To install an older version of Facebook on an iPhone running iOS 12.5.5, you must use the App Store's "Purchased" history feature. Since the current Facebook app requires iOS 13.4 or later, you cannot download it directly from the main store page on an older device. Installation Guide for iOS 12.5.5
Open the App Store: Ensure you are signed in with the Apple ID you previously used to download Facebook.
Navigate to Purchased: Tap your Profile icon (top right), then select Purchased.
Search for Facebook: Scroll or use the search bar to find "Facebook" in your history. facebook old version for ios 1255 install
Download Previous Version: Tap the Cloud icon next to the app. A pop-up will appear stating, "The current version requires iOS 13.4 or later, but you can download the last compatible version."
Confirm: Tap Download to install the version compatible with iOS 12.5.5. Critical Limitations
Account History: If you have never "purchased" (downloaded) Facebook on that Apple ID before, it won't appear in your history. To fix this, you must "buy" the app on a newer device using the same Apple ID first.
Third-Party IPA Files: Avoid downloading "old version" files from unofficial websites like Soft112, as these require dangerous "jailbreaking" or side-loading tools that can compromise your device security.
Web Browser Alternative: If the app is too slow, you can access Facebook via Safari or Chrome by visiting facebook.com.
To install Facebook on an older device running iOS 12.5.5, you generally need a "workaround" because the current version of Facebook requires iOS 13.4 or later Apple Support Community Recommended Workarounds The "Purchased" List Trick (Easiest Method)
If you have previously downloaded Facebook using your Apple ID on Facebook version 1255 for iOS is not a
device, you can often download a compatible older version directly to your iOS 12 device: on your iOS 12 device profile icon/avatar and go to the AppleInsider Search for cloud download icon
. A prompt should appear asking if you want to "Download an older version of this app." Select AppleInsider Using a Newer Device first If Facebook is
in your purchase history, you can "force" it there using a newer iPhone: Log in to your on a newer iPhone (running iOS 13 or later) Download the Facebook app on that newer device. Now, go back to your older iOS 12 device , open the App Store > Purchased , and the cloud icon should now appear for download The Browser Shortcut (No Install Required)
If the app methods fail or the older version is too slow, many users find using a mobile browser is the most reliable experience on older hardware Apple Support Community facebook.com button (square with an up arrow). Add to Home Screen
. This creates an icon on your home screen that functions similarly to an app Advanced/Alternative Options
In the fast-moving world of social media, app updates are constant. But not every update is welcome. Many iOS users find themselves searching for “Facebook old version for iOS 1255 install” — a specific legacy build that has gained a cult following among those who prefer the classic Facebook experience. This feature explains what version 1255 is, why people want it, how to install it (if possible), and the critical risks you need to know.
Before you proceed, understand that using a 7+ year old app version comes with serious consequences: Disclaimer: Downloading and sideloading modified or old IPAs
Sideloadly is the modern successor to Cydia Impactor. Download it from the official website (sideloadly.io).
Despite Facebook’s billions of users, many feel the modern app has become bloated, confusing, and privacy-invasive. Specific complaints driving the search for version 1255 include:
| Modern Facebook Problem | Version 1255 Advantage | |---|---| | Too many tabs (Watch, Marketplace, Gaming) | Cleaner, simpler UI | | Heavy ads and suggested content | Fewer ads, more friends’ posts | | Slow on older iPhones | Lightweight, faster performance | | Constant prompts to use Facebook Dating | No such feature | | Difficult to find “Most Recent” feed | Chronological feed available easily |
For users with iPhones stuck on iOS 10, 11, or 12, version 1255 may be one of the last compatible builds before Facebook dropped support for older operating systems.
Published: October 26, 2023
App Version Focus: 125.0 (Build 1255) – circa late 2015 / early 2016
In the current era of the iPhone 15 and iOS 17, the Facebook app has become a monolithic piece of software. It houses not just a social feed, but a marketplace, a gaming hub, a video studio (Reels), a dating service, and a metaverse portal. It is heavy, resource-intensive, and notoriously hard on battery life.
But what if you could strip it all away? What if you could return to a time when Facebook was just Facebook—a chronological news feed of your friends’ vacation photos and baby announcements?
Enter Facebook for iOS version 1255. For a niche community of digital archivists, jailbreakers, and nostalgic users, this specific build represents the "goldilocks" era of the mobile social network. This article explores why version 1255 matters, the technical hurdles of installing it on modern iOS, and a practical guide for those brave enough to attempt the downgrade.
Using tools like AltStore, SideStore, or Sideloadly, you can install an old .ipa on a non-jailbroken iPhone running iOS 14, 15, 16, or 17.