Facebook Bringing Chat Heads to Its iOS Apps, Updated iPad Version With New Streamlined Design [Update: Live] - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Facebook Bringing Chat Heads to Its iOS Apps, Updated iPad Version With New Streamlined Design [Update: Live]

Facebook is bringing the new Chat Heads feature from Facebook Home to its iOS app, reports All Things D. The update to the iOS Facebook app should go live later today. It was previously reported that Facebook was in negotiations with Apple to bring 'Home' to iOS, but Facebook can bring some of the new features straight to its app, without extensive support from Apple.

NewImage
The Verge got a hands-on preview of the new app:

Within the Facebook app, you can pop-out Chat Heads for your conversations, but they won't work anywhere else because of the way that iOS keeps apps sandboxed. Just as with Android, Chat Heads pop out on incoming Facebook Messages (but not for SMS), or you can open a new one directly yourself. You can drag them around to reposition them, and when they're open you have immediate access to your conversation on top of whatever you're doing on Facebook. On the iPad's larger screen, Facebook has decided to array them vertically on the left instead of horizontally across the top.


Facebook has implemented 'Stickers', which are large emoji-like images that can be sent to friends. There is also a new 'store' where users can download packs of stickers. The company has also redesigned its iPad app, streamlining and optimizing it for the iPad's larger screen size.

Update: Facebook 6.0 is now live in the App Store. [Direct Link]

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...

Top Rated Comments

slffl Avatar
169 months ago
Sandboxing is what keeps iOS secure, yet the bloggers turn this into a negative for iOS. Pathetic.

----------

Chat heads outside the app is a lot cooler; looks great on my Nexus. Maybe someone can do a jailbreak app for it.
Cool and also what allows malware to install onto your nexus from the Google Play store then transfer to your PC, record audio, and upload it to China.

Also while we'll never allow Android devices in our organization.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AQUADock Avatar
169 months ago
Meh, it only works inside the Facebook app.

And that's a bad thing?
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RawBert Avatar
169 months ago
FB should have a thumbs down button. MR too.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
169 months ago
"Chatheads" - Probably the most stupid name to ever be linked to a software feature.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NutsNGum Avatar
169 months ago
Sandboxing is what keeps iOS secure, yet the bloggers turn this into a negative for iOS. Pathetic.

Yeah. Some people are obviously keen to see McAfee for iPhone.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
169 months ago
Am I the only one that sees FB reinventing the wheel? Why do I need chat in FB? I've got SMS & iMessage. All "free" anyways. I've noticed that I get SMS/iMessage replies way more quickly then messages I send to ppl on FB. They're reinventing the wheel and trying to force it upon ppl to show why you need it "because everyone is on it"... self fulfilling prophecy. No thanks. I just keep checking FB less and less :)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)