Develop Bugs

make facebook correct their app... so the contact sync works on ICS

Hi there,
Facebook put out their new app this week
unfortunatly, the contact synching is not working ...
i opened a request here : https://www.facebook.com/help/community/question/?id=1845593
maybe if the link is shared, and a lot of people ask for a fix, they would fix it ?

I thought ICS didn't support contact syncing with Facebook anyway? The feature seemed to come and go on my Desire depending on how frosty Google-Facebook relations were at the time.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

It's something that Google won't allow happen until facebook gives in to their demands. They demanded that it be programmed in a certain way and facebook said "screw you". So Google said, then your syncing no longer works.
It doesn't work on any Nexus phones that I know of...at least not directly from the official facebook app.

All Facebook has to do is use the Android Contacts API, which they so far are refusing to do.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Chrono_Tata said:
All Facebook has to do is use the Android Contacts API, which they so far are refusing to do.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All Google has to do is pull their head out of their ass and stop screwing their users over.

MikeyMike01 said:
All Google has to do is pull their head out of their ass and stop screwing their users over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How dare you talk about Google that way?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

pr3cision said:
How dare you talk about Google that way?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google is probably one of the least likeable companies around.
Sent from my SGH-I897

What we actually have here is two differing philosophies about ownership of data.
Google believes your data is portable. They believe that once you import data, you own it, and you should be able to export it. If you give me your phone number, I know own that data. Example: If you decide you don't want me to have your number any more, you can't do anything about it. You can't make me forget it or tear up the piece of paper I wrote it down on. You shared it, I imported it, it's now mine.
Facebook disagrees with this. Facebook believes that the phone number only belongs to the person who's phone it is. They believe that if you share your phone number with me, I have to give it back and forget about it if you ever ask me to. Because of this, Facebook does not allow integrating contact info. They only allow Facebook contact data to exist "along side" your other data. So if someone unfriends you, you lose their contact info, picture, etc.
Google, on the other hand, recognizes that this is fundamentally stupid. If you share your data with me, I can keep it if I want, and I can export it to my contacts list if I want and if you don't like it then don't share it!
Facebook takes their position under the guise of maintaining that "only you should have ownership of your own data." But in reality they are enforcing the presence of Facebook if you want to use data obtained from Facebook. In essence, they are asserting that Facebook owns your data that you share.
This is another example of Facebook's dangerous philosophy about "openness." They call it open, but really it's Facebook in control. Meanwhile Google lets you pack up and leave and take your data with you any time you like....

screw you facebook....

rsox said:
I thought ICS didn't support contact syncing with Facebook anyway? The feature seemed to come and go on my Desire depending on how frosty Google-Facebook relations were at the time.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i didn't know that, do you have a source ?
BTW the synching menu is there, but the facebook app get one error... so i guess its not really that google forbid something, but that facebook did an error...
I really don't belive google will play that kind of game, and make the android customer unhappy...
Android always gave their user the choice (see flash...)
if Android forbid Facebook sync, apple could use this...
and there are FAR more facebook users than flash sites

alain57 said:
i didn't know that, do you have a source ?
BTW the synching menu is there, but the facebook app get one error... so i guess its not really that google forbid something, but that facebook did an error...
I really don't belive google will play that kind of game, and make the android customer unhappy...
Android always gave their user the choice (see flash...)
if Android forbid Facebook sync, apple could use this...
and there are FAR more facebook users than flash sites
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can google for this information pretty easily. Facebook and Google has had this high-profile fight since earlier this year.
Google is obviously trying to put the pressure on Facebook to be more open with their data, but not really succeeding since probably over 90% of Android users aren't even affected by this anyway. Most OEM flavours of Android such as Sense and TouchWiz still support Facebook syncing. If you want Facebook syncing with your People app you can use an app like FriendCaster instead.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

When you say contact sync, do you mean that you can see Facebook statuses in the People app? If so, wouldn't it be easier to just go to Facebook app? You can do/see much more stuff (Facebook-related) in the Facebook app than in the People app.

I dont know about Nexus, but I have HD2 and CM7 ROM and everything syncs....so I suppose stock ROM on Nexus doesnt support facebook syncing but others do/will

luffyp said:
When you say contact sync, do you mean that you can see Facebook statuses in the People app? If so, wouldn't it be easier to just go to Facebook app? You can do/see much more stuff (Facebook-related) in the Facebook app than in the People app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most people want contact syncing with Facebook as a lot of people list their phone numbers in Facebook and to pull profile pictures from Facebook to use as contact photos.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

MikeyMike01 said:
All Google has to do is pull their head out of their ass and stop screwing their users over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol @ you
Sent from my Yakju Googletron

Chrono_Tata said:
Most people want contact syncing with Facebook as a lot of people list their phone numbers in Facebook and to pull profile pictures from Facebook to use as contact photos.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless they fix it you can use this program if you want the pictures youll just have to add the contacts info from facebook yourself
Google Contact Sync

This actually disappeared in a Gingerbread update (2.3.3) for the Nexus S back in February or March, IIRC. Probably not at all surprising therefore that it's not in ICS

The Nexus One still supports this feature, even with the latest Gingerbread update from Google. The latest CyanogenMod ROMs also still do this on the Nexus One. I believe that Google's reasoning there was that the device came with the ability, so they would allow it to stay.
I really wish Facebook would just update their app to use the proper API. I used SyncMyPix and it worked well enough, but it would be nice if Facebook could just do it properly.
A word of warning about Friendcaster... all info I could find says that Friendcaster pulls all your (possibly hundreds of) Facebook friends into your phone's contacts. I didn't want this. I only wanted to sync with my existing contacts, like I was able to do on my Nexus One. SyncMyPix did this pretty well.

MikeyMike01 said:
Google is probably one of the least likeable companies around.
Sent from my SGH-I897
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What on Earth are you talking about? lol
From the customer perspective: They get nothing but rave reviews.
From a personnel perspective: They get nothing but rave reviews.
Their employees love them, their customers love them.

matt2053 said:
What we actually have here is two differing philosophies about ownership of data.
Google believes your data is portable. They believe that once you import data, you own it, and you should be able to export it. If you give me your phone number, I know own that data. Example: If you decide you don't want me to have your number any more, you can't do anything about it. You can't make me forget it or tear up the piece of paper I wrote it down on. You shared it, I imported it, it's now mine.
Facebook disagrees with this. Facebook believes that the phone number only belongs to the person who's phone it is. They believe that if you share your phone number with me, I have to give it back and forget about it if you ever ask me to. Because of this, Facebook does not allow integrating contact info. They only allow Facebook contact data to exist "along side" your other data. So if someone unfriends you, you lose their contact info, picture, etc.
Google, on the other hand, recognizes that this is fundamentally stupid. If you share your data with me, I can keep it if I want, and I can export it to my contacts list if I want and if you don't like it then don't share it!
Facebook takes their position under the guise of maintaining that "only you should have ownership of your own data." But in reality they are enforcing the presence of Facebook if you want to use data obtained from Facebook. In essence, they are asserting that Facebook owns your data that you share.
This is another example of Facebook's dangerous philosophy about "openness." They call it open, but really it's Facebook in control. Meanwhile Google lets you pack up and leave and take your data with you any time you like....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What a load of crap. Google masquerades their bull open policy too. They're both self absorbed companies fighting over who gets to steal your information.
Facebook is sitting on the mother load of personal information and Google wants to get at that information.
Google put a wrench in Facebook's app in a shameless attempt to push Google+.
Sent from my SGH-I897

[Q] Facebook contact sync

how can i get my contacts to sync with facebook?

try FriendCaster

i dont mind Friendcaster, but are you saying that syncing contacts isnt possible with FB?

Go into the settings of the phone, accounts, add a Facebook account. Doesn't appear you do it through the App itself.
Edited: Well crap, I'm trying to do it through the Accounts in the phone, but when I select Facebook, it doesn't do anything. Hmmmm.

craighwk said:
Go into the settings of the phone, accounts, add a Facebook account. Doesn't appear you do it through the App itself.
Well crap, I'm trying to do it through the Accounts in the phone, but when I select Facebook, it doesn't do anything. Hmmmm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did that. when i go into setting and hit add account, i press FB, nothing happens and it goes to previous page. It will not add that account….

We are gonna have to wait for the dbags at Facebook to update to the new api's
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I seem to remember Facebook having a similar issue when the Incredible first came out. There was an update to fix it, so maybe we're looking at a similar situation here?

mark manning said:
We are gonna have to wait for the dbags at Facebook to update to the new api's
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
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Click to collapse
so it wont sync on yours either?

wardo5757 said:
so it wont sync on yours either?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, I believe there is already a thread discussing this too
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

couldnt find another thread on this. but thanks

It can't be done unless you Flash Paul's MoDaCo Rom. For some reason FB doesn't want to use the new API's...lol I don't know the whole story but its not possible with the stock app.

wardo5757 said:
couldnt find another thread on this. but thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it was a couple weeks ago and short lived
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I just want to confirm that Friendcaster will sync your contacts. Just one BIG problem, you will have a ****load of contacts and you cannot filter out the ones without numbers..

Guys, this is because Facebook wasn't abiding by Google's terms, so they removed the option for syncing facebook contacts. The only viable alternative as of now, is installing Friendcaster.

wardo5757 said:
I just want to confirm that Friendcaster will sync your contacts. Just one BIG problem, you will have a ****load of contacts and you cannot filter out the ones without numbers..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In contacts...just edit to display only your gmail contacts!

suzook said:
In contacts...just edit to display only your gmail contacts!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeh, that works.. but if your like me, i DO use facebook for some of my phone numbers

I remember hearing about this on Cnet's Buzz out loud
This was talked about a while back on Buzz out loud.
At the time Facebook would import from any source but would not export as they didn't want to give that info out.
In other words they were happy to import all your contact data from any other source so they could get ahold of it. But they did not want to return the favor if you wanted to import your contact info from Facebook into the same source you just imported into Facebook from.
This was a while back, so I don't know if this was resolved. Facebook was claiming they were protecting their user's data.
The general feeling was not too good towards facebook on Buzz out loud. Their feeling was the contact data belongs to the person holding the account and they should be able to sync it if they want to.
It is well known that Facebook has bad blood with Google.
Hopefully this situation has changed as this was several months ago. But with Facebook you really never know what they are gonna do.

I see a lot of posts talking about how facebook sync was removed from the core android features.
I think that misses the point.
Facebook sync was a feature in the facebook app in gingerbread (At least, I can confirm this was the case prior to the app update. I'll confess I didn't go looking for it post update).
If it's currently available in gingerbread, I'd expect we'd see it available in ics following an update to fb.
/totally speculating

Carnagey is right. From what I have seen it won't come until that dispute is resolved...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

delete the facebook app from your phone first if its on there, because when you sign in through there it doesnt add it on the phones accounts page im assuming

Facebook sync

So, I've really enjoyed the switch from my Evo to the Nexus. I had quit using all of the Sense bloat already and was happy to see it go all together. However, I am finding I do miss one thing: having the integration between Facebook calendar/contact and the calendar/contacts from my email (in my case Exchange/Corporate email). It was nice having all of my Facebook contact avatars show up on my phone contacts and having all of the FB calendar events show up on the phone's calendar. Does anyone know if there's a way to duplicate that functionality? Anyone have any experience with an app that can sync everything? I looked at a few things in the market, but didn't find anything that could sync.
Thanks,
Rob

Google isnt allowing it. There is a rom that does though i guess.
edit - heres the xda thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1361108

I'm wondering though based on the 4.0.3 sdk post if it means facebook might work once again.

TehDuffman said:
http://www.slashgear.com/galaxy-nexus-ics-rom-restores-facebook-contacts-sync-13201934/
Google isnt allowing it. There is a rom that does though i guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google is adding it back in with Android 4.0.3,http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/1...brings-bug-fixes-and-new-apis-for-developers/
"Social Stream API, Applications that use social stream data such as status updates and check-ins can now sync that data with each of the user’s contacts, providing items in a stream along with photos for each. This new API lets apps show users what the people they know are doing or saying, in addition to their photos and contact information."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We just have to wait for Facebook for Android to implement the API.

Here is what I am currently using:
http://market.android.com/search?q=SyncMyPix
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Smokeey said:
Google is adding it back in with Android 4.0.3,http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/1...brings-bug-fixes-and-new-apis-for-developers/
We just have to wait for Facebook for Android to implement the API.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was going to say, Facebook still has to update their API and it seems (or at least I heard) that they aren't actively following Google's API information.

kptkill said:
Here is what I am currently using:
http://market.android.com/search?q=SyncMyPix
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it work well on the gnex and ics?
It seems the FB non sync issue is more than about the API. FB info cannot be exported so google says it can be used
http://www.slashgear.com/nexus-s-lo...sync-as-google-tightens-data-policy-23135396/

I use friendcaster, not that great an app imo but it does the contact sync that the facebook app used to do and it works on ics

I feel a root/new ROM coming on.

[Q] Facebok contacts sync

Hey all;
I just got my Galexy Nexus 2 days ago and love it so far. I just have 1 problem so far. I can not get my Facebook to sync with my contacts. I logged into Facebook and it doesn't even give me the option to set up sync. I also tried to go into accounts and add it in there. It will not add. I have cleared the cache and data from the Facebook ap and tried again and it still will not work.
Just wondering if it is even possible to sync my Facebook to my contacts. I am on Verizon running stock, non-rooted, 4.0.2.
Thanks in advance!

OMG PLEASE SEARCH
It doesnt work because Facebook isn't following Google's guidelines for syncing.
Download an app like Haxsync or just deal with it.

martonikaj said:
OMG PLEASE SEARCH
It doesnt work because Facebook isn't following Google's guidelines for syncing.
Download an app like Haxsync or just deal with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hrmm... is that something recent or just something with the Nexus? Facebook sync worked in my Incredible 2 just fine.
Also, I did search. I didn't find anything related to facebook sync on these forums. I guess I'm just an idiot/blind.

or Friendcaster

CannibalAngel said:
Hrmm... is that something recent or just something with the Nexus? Facebook sync worked in my Incredible 2 just fine.
Also, I did search. I didn't find anything related to facebook sync on these forums. I guess I'm just an idiot/blind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Facebook sync has not worked since Gingerbread. Companies who put lame skins on top of Android usually add a work around. I highly doubt you searched, or you really do fail at searching.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium

martonikaj said:
OMG PLEASE SEARCH
It doesnt work because Facebook isn't following Google's guidelines for syncing.
Download an app like Haxsync or just deal with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually facebook sync does work on some custom roms where the devs have edited some sourcefiles to reactivate it (tutorial on which 2 files need to be edited is somewhere in the forum). However, for Stock Roms, your answer is correct.

Tokolosh said:
Actually facebook sync does work on some custom roms where the devs have edited some sourcefiles to reactivate it (tutorial on which 2 files need to be edited is somewhere in the forum). However, for Stock Roms, your answer is correct.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! That makes sense. I was using CyanogenMOD 7 on my Incredible 2. They probably edited the files to fix Facebook sync. I guess I will just have to deal with it until Facebook or Google fix it.

well, you could try out Apex 1.0.2 it works there

CannibalAngel said:
Thanks! That makes sense. I was using CyanogenMOD 7 on my Incredible 2. They probably edited the files to fix Facebook sync. I guess I will just have to deal with it until Facebook or Google fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google'll never fix this because they don't want this FB sync feature.
The work around here is using a Custom Rom or installing HaxSync, etc.

+1 for HaxSync!

Its true. Google disabled Facebook Sync on android. Instead they try to shove G+ down your throat. You can install hack sync, or Custom ROMS like AOKP. I have it and it works. But I have disabled facebook Sync because I hate searching my contacts and find 300 contacts with email adresses only.

the ICS contact book doesn't allow us to display only records with phone numbers. I think the emphasis on the people instead of phone contact. As a result, the ICS people app is very difficult to use.

It does, however, just allow you to show your Gmail address book so assuming you have contacts on there with numbers and they're linked to FB it'll just show contacts with numbers
If someone isn't on my Gmail contacts I hide them by only showing Gmail contacts - easy!

martonikaj said:
OMG PLEASE SEARCH
It doesnt work because Facebook isn't following Google's guidelines for syncing.
Download an app like Haxsync or just deal with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't work because GOOGLE dismantled the old social API. The new API is available in Android 4.0.3. Social stream API in Contacts Provider. IF/when your carrier (Verizon, in my case) certifies the update for release is the problem. LinkedIn and Twitter contacts also will not sync because of this problem. It isn't just Facebook. Overall, this is a problem born out of Google looking to own the contacts sync and rid Android of those crapapps that do a piss poor job of synching. But Facebook will need to update the Android app when Android 4.0.3 is certified and released for a commercially available carrier-certified device. At this point. Out-of-the-box social contact synching is a no go on Android ICS except for Google+. How convenient. Otherwise, you'll need an extra app for that social app.

JBundy said:
It doesn't work because GOOGLE dismantled the old social API. The new API is available in Android 4.0.3. Social stream API in Contacts Provider. IF/when your carrier (Verizon, in my case) certifies the update for release is the problem. LinkedIn and Twitter contacts also will not sync because of this problem. It isn't just Facebook. Overall, this is a problem born out of Google looking to own the contacts sync and rid Android of those crapapps that do a piss poor job of synching. But Facebook will need to update the Android app when Android 4.0.3 is certified and released for a commercially available carrier-certified device. At this point. Out-of-the-box social contact synching is a no go on Android ICS except for Google+. How convenient. Otherwise, you'll need an extra app for that social app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I remember when this facebook issue first happened. I was really more mad at google since they technically broke the sync.
However twitter still syncs just fine with my contacts on stock 4.0.1.

RogerPodacter said:
I remember when this facebook issue first happened. I was really more mad at google since they technically broke the sync.
However twitter still syncs just fine with my contacts on stock 4.0.1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically, the onus is still on Facebook and Twitter to update their existing apps for Android 4.0.2 since there is a social API still included. Something didn't translate right with Android 4.0.2 for the current versions of those apps.

[Q] Facebook contact sync through Facebook Home app?

Am about to pick up a used GNex and am wondering if the Facebook Home app is of any help towards getting contact pics & syncing on Nexus devices...never mind that it seems to be a crap launcher, etc., has anyone had a look at that possibility?
I don't have an Android phone for a few days to try this out, so if anyone is willing to give it a shot, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks in advance!

johnflorin said:
Am about to pick up a used GNex and am wondering if the Facebook Home app is of any help towards getting contact pics & syncing on Nexus devices...never mind that it seems to be a crap launcher, etc., has anyone had a look at that possibility?
I don't have an Android phone for a few days to try this out, so if anyone is willing to give it a shot, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can use haxsync but is paid
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Facebook home isn't available on the gnex.

I can sideload the apk (with a bit of tinkering) according to here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2232198&page=5
A shame it doesn't work for this purpose, though...I've read about haxsync and it's not a problem that it costs a buck, but it just looks unclean, unofficial, etc. I would like to sync between Facebook and Google via at least Facebook if Google is being a douche, not some 3rd party.
I guess the only way this would be resolved officially is if Facebook came out with a People app replacement...which it might yet do, but so far no go.
Thanks!

I have used haxsync for 2 yrs an recommend it, I only got it to sync Facebook contact photos to native phone app contacts originally.

Most likely I will also use either it or this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.contapps.android - looks very decent as a full People+Dialer replacement app

johnflorin said:
I can sideload the apk (with a bit of tinkering) according to here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2232198&page=5
A shame it doesn't work for this purpose, though...I've read about haxsync and it's not a problem that it costs a buck, but it just looks unclean, unofficial, etc. I would like to sync between Facebook and Google via at least Facebook if Google is being a douche, not some 3rd party.
I guess the only way this would be resolved officially is if Facebook came out with a People app replacement...which it might yet do, but so far no go.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google is not being a douche here, Android has an open API allowing any app developer to sync stuff with contacts. Facebook just never updated their horribly outdated app to take advantage of this.(the API was released 2 Years ago)
So no it would not require facebook to release a people app but simply to update their existing app.
This is exactly what the third party apps does, and they work fine BTW. Since they run entirely in the background it doesn't matter that they look unofficial, I never see the app itself. So there is no need to use a replacement for the people app.

Never did understand why more didn't follow HTC's contact sync set up. So simple, intuitive and seamless.
Hey, we see you have 4 John Smiths.. under FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, and your main contacts.. shall we merge? Voila, done. And you get to use their FB photo as the default.
Why they wouldn't make contact integration easier is beyond me..

DNak206 said:
Never did understand why more didn't follow HTC's contact sync set up. So simple, intuitive and seamless.
Hey, we see you have 4 John Smiths.. under FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, and your main contacts.. shall we merge? Voila, done. And you get to use their FB photo as the default.
Why they wouldn't make contact integration easier is beyond me..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's simple, just because facebook is large doesn't mean they get preferential treatment(like on ios, where only twitter and facebook is integrated). On android any app can do this(facebook included), but it is required for the app itself to do the sync of the contacts.

mortenmhp said:
It's simple, just because facebook is large doesn't mean they get preferential treatment(like on ios, where only twitter and facebook is integrated). On android any app can do this(facebook included), but it is required for the app itself to do the sync of the contacts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But why not allow that as an option at the Android OS level to allow permission is what I don't get. The FB android app also hasn't synced my contacts in forever (to include photo).

DNak206 said:
But why not allow that as an option at the Android OS level to allow permission is what I don't get. The FB android app also hasn't synced my contacts in forever (to include photo).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please read my previous post! It is allowed... Any developer can add sync options(this is exactly what the thirdparties like haxsync does). The reason your facebook app sync doesn't work is, that they hacked in a solution that worked on 2.2 and earlier versions of android, but as the official api was introduced, and facebook was breaking the rules, this exploit was removed, and facebook just hasn't updated to use the official api.
read about the official api here: http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/providers/contacts-provider.html
What HTC and others does is, that they either hack in the old exploit allowing the facebook app to sync again or they simply write their own app which uses the official api to sync fb contacts and pics.(this is identical to downloading an app like haxsync).

I ended up installing Contacts+ and am quite happy with it...