Introducing Facebook Platform SDK Version 9.0
**UPDATE (01/29/2021, 3PM PST): Updates made to the "Removal of Auto Initialization of SDK" section**
Today, we are releasing Facebook SDK version 9.0 and additional updates to our Facebook Platform SDKs. These updates include additional features, as well as required actions which may impact your application(s) integration with our platform. This post outlines these updates and the necessary steps developers need to take to avoid disruption where applicable.
Along with the release of Facebook SDK version 9.0, we are announcing the deprecation of all SDK versions below version 9.0. Beginning today, developers will need to begin migrating to version 9.0 to prevent usage of deprecated SDKs for their associated application(s).
Detailed information regarding the deprecation and sunset policy is provided below.
Release of Facebook Platform SDK Version 9.0 and Updates
Facebook Login Updates: A New Limited Data Mode
Facebook Login now offers a Limited Login mode. When using the limited version of Facebook Login, the fact that a person used Facebook Login with this iOS app will not be used to personalize or measure advertising effectiveness. To implement this new version of Facebook Login, Developers should update their Facebook iOS SDK or Facebook SDK for Unity to version 9.0+.
Learn more about the changes to Facebook Login here
Deprecation of Facebook Platform SDKs Below Version 9.0
Deprecations
Today, we will launch Facebook Platform SDK version 9.0 and begin the deprecation of all prior SDK versions. The deprecation will happen over a two year period (ending on January 19th, 2023) at the end of which all previous versions of the Facebook Platform SDK will be permanently sunset. At that point, no responses will be generated for any API calls made to previous versions (v8.2 and below) of the Facebook Platform SDK. Through this process, the Facebook Platform SDK versioning will align with the Graph API versioning commitment.
As we continue to improve our platform and products, we encourage all developers to adopt our newest version of the SDK. Version 9.0 includes improvements to crash rate prevention and tracking, error testing, memory usage and much more.
We are committed to our SDKs and will continue to make improvements that help developers work with our platform. When developers upgrade to version 9.0, this allows us to focus on the stability of supported SDK versions and improve the developer experience by mitigating potential privacy, stability, compatibility and security concerns that stem from older versions.
New Versioning Schedule for Facebook Platform SDK Major Releases
Moving forward, all new major versions will target annual releases with the goal of aligning the SDK version number to match the latest Graph API version. We will continue to release minor updates to enhance the functionality of our Facebook SDKs and we may release major versions off-cycle if needed.
End of Official Support for Facebook SDK for React Native
Today, Facebook will end official support for our React Native wrapper around the Facebook SDKs for Android and iOS. We are pleased by the community's efforts that make the Facebook SDK for React Native a success. We believe the community is well equipped to address developer needs going forward. Note that our support for React Native continues and is not affected by this.
The current version of the project will move to Facebook Archive. We recommend the community fork this repo into a new project that can be continuously maintained by the community. We encourage the community to make any necessary changes that they believe will enhance the functionality of the SDK moving forward.
Removal of Auto Initialization of SDK
Currently, the Facebook Platform SDKs automatically initializes on launch. We will be removing this auto-initialization feature beginning today.
If you currently rely on the Facebook Platform SDKs being automatically initialized for use, you will now need to explicitly initialize the SDK by making the appropriate calls. More information about initializing the SDKs can be found at - https://developers.facebook.com/docs/ios/getting-started/
Visit our Change Logs to review specific changes to your SDK and stay informed on planned improvements:
Version Deprecations:
Below are the versions of the Facebook Platform SDKs that are deprecated and associated dates:
- January 19, 2021 - iOS SDK v8.2 and below
- January 19, 2021 - Android SDK v8.2 and below
- January 19, 2021 - Unity SDK v8.2 and below
