Facebook's official app has become a bedtime story to scare children, and the Lite edition is not far behind. Our main alternative is to access via the web and use extensions to modify the social network's behavior, but today we found another option on Android, called Frost. This open source client for Facebook supports features like transparencies, multiple account configuration, picture-in-picture video, notifications, and more.
These days there are plenty of reasons to complain about Facebook, and one of the most recurrent is its official app. Many users have simply abandoned the social network because they can't run the app on their phones, or rather, can't avoid its spontaneous combustion when trying. The Lite edition is supposedly designed for humbler devices, but bug reports and permission issues are very frequent.
Personally, I avoid official apps and access Facebook through its web version. Some features are lost (like notifications), but that saves several headaches. However, there is another option: find an alternative client. Facebook/Meta doesn't like it much, but one that has managed to survive is Frost.
Frost: Open Source Client for Facebook
The first technical detail to note is that you won't find Frost on the Play Store; you'll have to download the APK manually from GitHub or use the F-Droid store. Once installed, Frost offers a series of four presets to change its appearance (Light, dark, AMOLED, and crystal), and a list of available functions and commands.
Any subsequent change can be made in the Settings menu. There you can see the Appearance and Behavior sections, which include transition animations, link overlay (basically, opening them in a new window), and the picture-in-picture mode for videos on the social network.
However, the most important thing about Frost is spread between support for transparencies and interface customization, a broad notification system, and compatibility with multiple accounts. If you prefer to have a personal account and another for work or buying/selling on Marketplace, Frost lets you easily switch between them.
In short, Frost is still a wrapper, but at the same time it offers much more to the user, and from every point of view, it does a better job than the official apps. If you still depend on the social network to stay in touch with family and friends, you should give this open source client for Facebook a chance.
Official site and download: Click here
