Facebook Introducing Optional “Nearby Friends” Feature for Android App

Facebook has just announced plans to introduce a new feature for its mobile applications available on both Android and iOS platforms. The new feature is called “Nearby Friends” and will be rolled out in waves, which means that it will take up to a few months until all Facebook for Android (iOS) users receive it.

According to Andrea Vaccari, Facebook product manager, “nearby Friends helps you discover which friends are nearby or on the go.”

The good news is that Facebook will not add just another gimmicky feature. Instead, users will have the option to disable the “Nearby Friends” if they find it too intrusive or useless.

But there is more to it, as Facebook’s engineers have made it so that users can choose who can see if they are nearby, in addition to the option to turn it on and off at any time.

For example, users can choose to be seen by their friends, close friends or a specific friends list that can be predefined ahead of enabling the “Nearby Friends” feature.

However, in order for your friends to be able to see you when you are on the move, they need to have the “Nearby Friends” feature enabled as well. Aside from that, you both need to enable the location sharing with each other for the new feature to work.

Nearby Friends feature for Facebook for iOS (screenshots)

Furthermore, Facebook states that when “Nearby Friends is on, you can see when your friends are traveling if they’re also using this feature and sharing with you. You’ll be able to see the city or neighborhood they are in, including on their profile.”

Besides being able to see your friend’s location, you can send him/her a recommendation for a great restaurant in case you know the city he/she is visiting.

For the time being, the new “Nearby Friends” feature will only be available in the United States for both Android and iOS devices. Facebook has confirmed that the new feature will be released over the coming weeks, so it might not appear on your device right away.

It’s unclear whether or not Facebook for Android will receive this feature in other countries as well, but stay tuned for more updates on the matter.