Many users download a file that claims to be new, but it immediately crashes. Here is why:
If you are a collector wanting to see the live tile flip one last time, yes. Hunting down a "facebook windows phone xap new" is a fun weekend project.
If you actually need to stay connected, no. The "newest" XAP is still 8 years old. The modern Facebook website refuses to render correctly in the integrated IE/EdgeHTML browser.
Final recommendation: Do not use the official XAP. Use the "Web App" feature of Windows Phone. Pin m.facebook.com to your start screen. It acts 90% like a native app and is technically more "new" than any XAP you will find.
Have you found a newer Facebook XAP than version 8.3.7.0? Upload it to the community archives. Windows Phone isn't dead; it's just waiting for revival.
The official Facebook application for Windows Phone, historically distributed via XAP (and later APPX) files, remains a nostalgic touchpoint for legacy users. While modern Facebook functionality has moved to current platforms, specific versions like v2.3 and v2.5 introduced significant overhauls for the platform. Core Features & User Experience
Visual Design: The app historically utilized a clean, "panorama" design that integrated well with the Windows Phone UI, featuring banner images that mirrored the Facebook Timeline profile.
Live Tile Integration: A standout feature was the Live Tile support. When pinned to the Start screen at its largest size, it would flip every 30 seconds to show the latest status updates and unread notification counts.
Lock Screen Customization: Users could allow the app to manage their lock screen, automatically rotating background images from their Facebook albums.
Performance Improvements: Version 2.3 specifically focused on news feed performance and navigation, making it faster to scroll and open pages compared to earlier versions. Known Limitations (The Review)
Feature Gaps: Compared to its iOS and Android counterparts, the Windows Phone app often lagged in "niceties" such as Chat Heads, photo filters, and stickers.
Lagginess: Despite performance updates, reviewers often noted the app could still be laggy, particularly when scrolling through media-heavy news feeds. facebook windows phone xap new
Privacy Settings: Clicking on privacy settings within the app would typically just redirect the user to a mobile browser window rather than offering native in-app controls. Modern Context & Installation
Today, these legacy applications are no longer officially supported by Facebook (Meta) and may not function on original hardware without custom ROMs or sideloading via XAP files. Windows Phone Facebook App Ver 2.3 Review
For owners of legacy Lumia and Windows Phone devices, staying connected via the original Facebook app is a nostalgic but increasingly difficult challenge. Since Microsoft and Meta officially discontinued support for Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile, the official Microsoft Store is no longer a reliable source for these applications. However, the community-driven method of sideloading XAP and APPX files remains a viable way to keep these devices functional. Understanding Facebook XAP and APPX Files
A XAP file (e-Xtensible Application Packaging) is the standard installation package for Windows Phone 8 and 8.1. For newer devices running Windows 10 Mobile, the format transitioned to APPX or APPXBUNDLE. These files act like offline installers, similar to an APK on Android, allowing you to bypass the defunct Microsoft Store. Latest Available Versions for Mobile
While "new" official updates no longer exist, enthusiasts maintain archives of the last stable releases:
Facebook for Windows Phone 8.1: The latest major release is often cited as v8.5.0.0, which was an AppX package.
Facebook Messenger: Version v11.0.1.0 (XAP/APPX) and v1510.7.114.0 (XAP) are common legacy versions found in archives.
Archived Sources: Reliable third-party repositories like Appx4Fun and Windows Việt host these legacy files for manual installation. How to Install Facebook XAP on Your Windows Phone
Installing these files requires "Developer Mode" to be enabled on your device to allow sideloading from external sources. Method 1: PC-Based Deployment (Recommended)
This is the most reliable method for both Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 10 Mobile. Facebook 8.1 - Download XAP/APPX for Windows Phone
While Microsoft and Meta officially discontinued support for Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile years ago, enthusiasts continue to maintain access to legacy applications like Facebook through Many users download a file that claims to
files. Below is a summary of the current state of Facebook on Windows Phone, archival sources, and installation methods. 1. Context and History
Facebook on Windows Phone began as a Microsoft-developed application intended to showcase the OS's unique "Panorama" and "Live Tile" design. Over time, official support shifted to Meta (formerly Facebook Inc.), leading to the release of a Windows 10 Mobile version that was essentially an iOS port. Official support ended on April 30, 2019, and the app was subsequently removed from the Microsoft Store. 2. Available Archive Versions
For preservation and educational use, several legacy versions are archived on community-driven platforms: Facebook 8.1
: The final major legacy version for Windows Phone 8.1 and early Windows 10 Mobile. Facebook Beta (v3.1.0.4)
: A popular archived version often used for testing features prior to the final discontinuation. Facebook Messenger
: Older versions like Messenger 0.3.0.0 are also preserved in various collections. Archival sites such as Windows Việt Internet Archive
host these files strictly for offline installation and device preservation. Internet Archive 3. Installation Methods (Sideloading)
Since the Microsoft Store no longer hosts these files, you must "sideload" them. This process generally requires a PC and specific tools: Facebook 8.1 - Download XAP/APPX for Windows Phone
Official support for Facebook on Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile has ended, and the app is no longer available in the Microsoft Store. Because the service now requires modern API connections that the legacy Windows Phone operating system cannot support, finding a "new" or working file for Facebook is increasingly difficult. Status of Facebook on Windows Phone Official Discontinuation
: Facebook officially ended support for its Windows Phone apps (Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram) in April 2019 App Store Removal
: The apps were pulled from the Microsoft Store, meaning they cannot be legally downloaded or updated through official channels. API Blocks Have you found a newer Facebook XAP than version 8
: Even if you manage to sideload an old XAP file, Facebook has disabled the server-side APIs that these versions rely on. Attempting to log in usually results in a "Connection Error" or a "Check your network" message. The Search for "New" XAP Files
The term "new" in this context usually refers to modified or "patched" versions created by the homebrew community (such as those on XDA Developers WindowsPhoneHub Community Patches
: Some developers have attempted to create "wrappers" (apps that simply load the mobile website), but even these frequently break as Facebook updates its web security protocols. WUT (Windows Universal Tool) : Some enthusiasts use the
repository to find archived versions of apps, but functionality is not guaranteed. Better Alternatives
Since the native app no longer functions, users still holding onto Windows Phone devices generally use these workarounds: Mobile Browser Microsoft Edge Internet Explorer to navigate to ://facebook.com
. This is the most reliable way to access the service, though it lacks push notifications. SlimSocial/Socializer
: These are lightweight, third-party "wrapper" apps occasionally found in community archives that offer a slightly more app-like experience than the browser. Telegram/WhatsApp
: While Facebook is dead, some third-party clients for other Meta-owned services like WhatsApp occasionally see community-driven life, though they are also highly unstable.
: Be extremely cautious when downloading XAP files from unofficial "cracked" app sites. These files can contain malware or be used to harvest your Facebook login credentials.
Connect Phone to PC via USB.
Deploy the XAP:
Run: The app appears in the app list.
Let’s cut the nostalgia and get practical. As of 2026, no official Facebook XAP can connect to the live servers due to SSL/TLS handshake failures. However, the community has produced three "new" solutions that you can sideload today.