Facebook Data Download, iOS Folders & Web App Permissions - Tech Tips

Weekly Tech Tips Roundup

Each week, we compile a selection of helpful tips submitted to the HTG tips inbox and share them with our audience. This week’s focus includes methods for downloading your Facebook data, streamlining your iOS home screen, and monitoring web applications’ access to your personal information.

Downloading Your Facebook Data

For users seeking enhanced search capabilities within their Facebook history, downloading your data provides a convenient solution. This allows for offline wall searching and easy reference to past posts and interactions.

Organizing iOS App Folders

iOS users can maximize their home screen space by efficiently packing multiple applications into folders. This technique improves organization and reduces clutter, making it easier to locate desired apps.

Monitoring Web App Data Access

It’s crucial to remain aware of which web applications have access to your private data. Regularly reviewing and managing these permissions helps maintain your online privacy and security.

Keeping track of these permissions allows you to control your digital footprint and protect sensitive information.

Staying Informed

These tips represent just a small portion of the valuable insights shared by our community. We encourage readers to continue submitting their own tech tips for potential inclusion in future roundups.

By utilizing these strategies, you can enhance your digital experience and maintain greater control over your online presence.

Obtaining a Complete Archive of Your Facebook Information

A user named Michelle recently shared a straightforward method for searching through one's Facebook history.

The Facebook Data Download Feature

Despite the introduction of the Facebook Timeline, locating specific posts within your Facebook history can still be challenging. Many users are unaware that Facebook provides a feature allowing you to request an archive of all your data.

This archive is delivered as a downloadable file. The process is remarkably simple. Navigate to your Account Settings page, then select the Download Data option.

Following this, you will receive an email from Facebook within a couple of hours. This email contains a link to initiate the download, which requires verification using your Facebook password.

Upon completion, you’ll receive a .ZIP file containing all the information you have shared with Facebook.

Accessing Your Wall History

Within the .ZIP archive, locate the file named wall.html. Opening this file in a web browser enables you to instantly search through all of your past Facebook posts.

This eliminates the need for navigating through pages or years, as is often required when using the Timeline view. All your posts are consolidated into a single, extensive HTML document.

Verification and Results

We tested this method, as suggested by Michelle, and found it to be effective. While the downloaded version lacks the visual refinements and formatting of your live Facebook wall, it accurately displays a substantial history of Facebook status updates—spanning almost a decade in our test case.

This represents a valuable discovery for users seeking to access and search their complete Facebook history.

Expanding Folder Capacity on iOS Devices

A user named Brad recently shared a helpful tip for individuals utilizing iOS devices.

The Limitation of Standard iOS Folders

Brad, an iPad and iPhone user, expressed his appreciation for the folder functionality introduced with iOS 4.2.

However, he identified a constraint: the limited capacity of these folders.

He organizes applications into folders based on categories – RPGs, board games, network utilities – and found the default limits of 12 apps (on iPhone/iPod Touch) and 20 apps (on iPad) to be restrictive.

Creating multiple folders, such as "Board Games I" and "Board Games II," was undesirable.

Infinifolders: A Solution

Brad discovered Infinifolders, a jailbreak application designed to address this issue.

This tweak effectively removes the folder size limitation.

Users can now place an unlimited number of applications within a single folder without encountering practical restrictions.

Availability and Cost

Infinifolders is available through the Cydia store for a price of $1.99.

Brad believes the cost is justified given the convenience it provides.

This allows for a more streamlined and organized app experience.

We are now exploring the benefits of this tweak on our own iPads!

Verifying Permissions for Your Online Applications

A reader, Nate, recently shared a valuable insight regarding the maintenance of online privacy.

MyPermissions: A Privacy Tool

He highlighted MyPermissions as a service comparable to NotificationControl. While NotificationControl focuses on managing email notifications from various services, MyPermissions specializes in reviewing permissions granted to web-based applications.

It’s remarkably easy to lose track of which entities have access to your accounts when frequently utilizing add-on services for platforms like Facebook, Flickr, and Dropbox.

MyPermissions allows users to systematically review these permissions. This ensures that personal data, such as a Facebook profile, isn’t inadvertently shared with untrustworthy organizations, like potentially dubious gaming companies.

Benefits of Regular Permission Checks

• Maintain control over your online data.
• Identify and revoke unnecessary access.
• Protect your privacy from potentially harmful applications.

This service provides a straightforward method for auditing and managing access rights across numerous online platforms.

The suggestion and link were graciously provided by Brad, and we appreciate his contribution.

Do you have a helpful tip or trick to share with our readers? Please send your submissions to tips@howtogeek.com. Selected tips may be featured on the website.