In this era of technology, social networking is one of the most useful applications of the internet.
But privacy is one of the biggest issues as everything is just on-air, and people can go through any of your profiles.
In this article, we are going to deal with one of the problems of this privacy issue on Facebook.
We will try to hide your Facebook friend list and make it private so that no one else can view it.
How to Hide Your Facebook Friend List from Everyone
Whether you’re looking to maintain a sense of privacy or simply wish to control who can view your social circle, hiding your friend list is one of the best options.
Note: Remember, even if you hide your friends list, mutual friends will still be visible.
Option 1: On Browser
Follow the below steps to hide the friends list on the web version:
1. Login to your Facebook account on a browser and go to your profile page.
2. Click on the Friends tab below People you may know.
3. Click on the three dots at the top right corner within the Friends tab and choose Edit privacy.
4. In the Edit Privacy window, select Only Me for Who can see your Friends list.
5. Now, click on the Done button at the bottom to save changes.
Also Read: How to Share Friendship Anniversary Video on Facebook
Option 2: On Mobile App
Follow the below steps to hide friends list on your smartphone:
1. Tap on the three horizontal lines on the Facebook home feed page.
2. Select Settings & privacy > Settings.
3. Tap on How people find and contact you under Audience and visibility.
4. Choose Only me next to Who can see your friends list.
How to Hide Your Facebook Friend List from Specific Users
Don’t want to hide your friends list from everyone? Then, you can do so by hiding it from specific users.
Option 1: On Browser
Keep your friends list hidden from specific people using the Friends except option.
1. Follow steps 1–3 from the above heading on the browser.
2. Choose Friends except for Who can see your Friends list.
3. Click on the minus icon next to the username and click on Save changes.
Also Read: How to See How Long You Have Been Friends on Facebook
Option 2: On Mobile App
Follow the below steps to hide your friends list on the mobile app.
1. Follow steps 1–3 from the above heading on your mobile app.
2. Choose Friends except for Who can see your friends list.
3. Select the users and tap on Done at the bottom.
Note: You can select Specific friends to choose to whom you want to share the Facebook friends list.
What Happens When You Hide Your Friend List on Facebook?
Hiding your friend list on Facebook can offer several benefits for your privacy as listed below:
- Increased Privacy: Your personal connections become less visible to strangers, which would eliminate risks like targeted advertising, identity theft, or online stalking.
- Protection for Your Friends: By hiding your list, you indirectly shield your friends from unwanted friend requests to some extent.
Also, hiding your friend list comes with some limitations and consequences, as given below:
- Limited Networking Opportunity: People might have a harder time finding you through mutual friends, and therefore, it can be difficult to find and make new friends.
- Lack of Transparency: Hiding your list can raise questions about your online activity and motives, leading to misunderstanding.
- Incomplete Privacy: While your full list is hidden, mutual friends might still be visible on your profile, offering glimpses into your social landscape.
Also Read: Does Facebook Suggest Friends Who Look at Your Profile?
That’s it! You have successfully learned how to hide your Facebook friends list.
If you still have any questions, then feel free to ask them in the comments section.
