Restore the Old Layout for Facebook in Firefox — Quick GuideMany users prefer Facebook’s older, simpler interface to the newer layouts that frequently change navigation, post appearance, and settings. If you use Firefox and miss the classic Facebook look, this guide walks through realistic options, explains limitations, and offers safe, privacy-respecting steps you can take to approximate or restore the old layout.
Important caveats
- Facebook controls its interface. There’s no guaranteed, permanent way to force Facebook to serve an unchanged old layout; the company can block or change elements at any time.
- Extensions and styles modify what your browser displays locally. These tools don’t alter Facebook’s servers — they only change how pages render in your Firefox browser.
- Security & privacy first. Only install well-reviewed extensions from reputable sources (Firefox Add-ons site). Avoid extensions requiring broad permissions unless you trust them.
Options overview
- Use a user style (CSS) via an extension like Stylus to restyle Facebook’s interface locally.
- Use a user-script manager (Tampermonkey/Greasemonkey) to run scripts that modify page structure.
- Try browser extensions that specifically advertise “old Facebook” or “classic Facebook” themes.
- Adjust Firefox settings and privacy tools to reduce clutter and trackers, indirectly simplifying the interface.
Option 1 — Restyle Facebook with Stylus (recommended for safety)
Stylus is a popular, open-source extension for applying custom CSS to websites. It’s generally safer than older alternatives and gives fine-grained control.
Steps:
- Install Stylus from the Firefox Add-ons site.
- Click the Stylus icon, choose “Manage,” then “Write new style.”
- Set the style to apply to facebook.com (and m.facebook.com if you use mobile layout).
- Paste or write CSS rules that hide or adjust elements (example rules below).
- Save and toggle the style on/off to test.
Example CSS snippets (adjust selectors as Facebook updates them):
/* Hide the right-hand sidebar */ #rightCol, [role="complementary"] { display: none !important; } /* Narrow header and remove extra spacing */ #blueBar, header[role="banner"] { height: 48px !important; padding: 4px 8px !important; } /* Make posts full-width and simpler */ [role="feed"] { max-width: 700px !important; margin: 0 auto !important; } div[data-pagelet^="FeedUnit_"] { border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; } Notes:
- Facebook changes class names and structure frequently; CSS may break and require updates.
- Don’t paste untrusted CSS from unknown sources.
Option 2 — Use user scripts (more powerful, more risk)
User scripts can remove DOM nodes, rearrange elements, and simulate older behaviors. Tampermonkey or Greasemonkey are common script managers.
Steps:
- Install Tampermonkey (or Greasemonkey) from Firefox Add-ons.
- Create a new script and set it to run on facebook.com.
- Write JavaScript that removes or modifies elements after the page loads.
Example starter script:
// ==UserScript== // @name Simplify Facebook Layout // @match *://*.facebook.com/* // @grant none // ==/UserScript== (function() { 'use strict'; // Remove right column const removeRight = () => { const right = document.querySelector('#rightCol, [role="complementary"]'); if (right) right.remove(); }; // Run initial and observe for dynamic changes removeRight(); const obs = new MutationObserver(removeRight); obs.observe(document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true }); })(); Warnings:
- Scripts with wide permissions can be abused. Inspect scripts before use.
- Facebook’s dynamic loading may require observing DOM changes.
Option 3 — Extensions that promise “Classic Facebook”
There are extensions that advertise restoring older Facebook layouts. They vary in quality and trustworthiness.
Guidance:
- Prefer extensions on addons.mozilla.org with many users and positive reviews.
- Check permissions — avoid those that request data beyond what’s needed (e.g., “read and change all your data on websites you visit” is common but risky).
- Combine with privacy extensions (uBlock Origin, Privacy Badger) to reduce trackers and unwanted UI elements.
Option 4 — Simplify by blocking elements (uBlock Origin)
uBlock Origin can hide elements using cosmetic filters. It’s safer because it’s widely trusted and open-source.
Steps:
- Install uBlock Origin.
- Use the element picker to hide ads, sidebars, or specific UI components.
- Save the element rule for Facebook.
Example filter rule: facebook.com###rightCol
Notes:
- Cosmetic filters are easy to revert.
- They won’t recreate old features, only hide new elements.
Dealing with Facebook’s mobile and alternative layouts
- Facebook sometimes redirects to m.facebook.com or uses a different React-based interface. Apply your styles/scripts to all variants by including those domains.
- If Facebook forces its new interface aggressively, consider using a secondary browser profile or a dedicated browser extension that focuses on UI modifications.
Troubleshooting
- If changes stop working, Facebook likely updated selectors — re-inspect elements and update CSS/selectors.
- If an extension breaks Facebook functionality (e.g., reactions not working), disable it and re-enable parts to isolate the issue.
- Keep backups of your styles/scripts so you can quickly reapply or edit them.
Legal and policy reminders
- Local styling or scripting is legal for personal use. However, distributing copies of Facebook’s proprietary code or bypassing access controls could violate terms of service.
- Respect privacy and avoid sharing scripts/extensions that collect user data without consent.
Quick checklist to get started
- Install Stylus (for CSS) or Tampermonkey (for scripts).
- Use uBlock Origin to hide unwanted elements.
- Apply or create a style/script targeting facebook.com and m.facebook.com.
- Test, adjust selectors, and backup your custom code.
If you want, I can: provide a ready-to-install Stylus style tuned to the current Facebook layout (tell me whether you use the desktop or mobile site), or craft a Tampermonkey script that targets specific elements you want removed or changed.
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