Free Basics by Facebook

Free access to websites like Facebook, ESPN and more.

Facebook · com.freebasics

5.0 out of 5 (1 rating) 1M+ downloads v195.0.0.0.4 5.5 MB Android 6.0+ PEGI 3 · Everyone

Download APK 5.5 MB All versions

Signature matches the Google Play version Details

At a glance

Latest version: v195.0.0.0.4 (1037119053)
Updated: Sep 5, 2026 (1 month ago)
APK size: 5.5 MB
Requires: Android 6.0+ (API 23)
CPU support: ARM 64-bit
Category: Social (app)
Listed since: Oct 28, 2022 (at least)
Permissions: 12 (2 sensitive)
Website: internet.org/projects
Developer contact: [email protected]
Privacy: Developer's privacy policy

About this APK

Free Basics by Facebook is an app by Facebook in the Social category, listed since at least October 2022. It includes native code only for ARM 64-bit, so it won't install on phones that can only run 32-bit apps.

Since version 146.0.0.1.197, the APK grew from 3.8 MB to 5.5 MB and the minimum Android version rose from 4.1 to 6.0. It asks for 12 permissions, 2 of them sensitive: read phone status and identity and modify shared storage. It asks for the same permissions as version 185.0.0.0.0.

Description

From the listing uploaded by “appupdater”.

With Free Basics, you can connect to Facebook and other websites for free using a SIM card from a qualifying mobile operator. Stay in touch with friends and family, search for jobs, check out news and sports updates, and get health information – all without data charges. Free Basics includes websites like: • AccuWeather • BabyCenter & MAMA • BBC News • Dictionary.com • ESPN • Facebook • UNICEF Websites vary by country. Free Basics by Facebook is part of the Internet.org initiative. We’re working with mobile operators around the world to make Free Basics widely available. These mobile operators have agreed to not charge you for the data used to browse Free Basics. Data used beyond Free Basics, including but not limited to any minimum balance requirements and text messaging costs, may still result in standard rates and charges from your mobile operator.

Version history

4 versions are listed, going back to v146.0.0.1.197. Since v180.0.0.1.11 it requires Android 6.0+.

v195.0.0.0.4 LATEST Sep 5, 2026 5.5 MB TRUSTED v185.0.0.0.0 Aug 22, 2026 5 MB TRUSTED v180.0.0.1.11 Aug 18, 2025 4.5 MB TRUSTED v146.0.0.1.197 Jun 12, 2024 3.8 MB TRUSTED

All 4 versions

Security & authenticity

Security rating: Trusted

Signing certificate

Signature matches the Google Play version Checked by the source store on Sep 5, 2026.
Certificate issued to “Meta Platforms Inc.” This is the certificate of the Google Play version.
Other versions use a different certificate v185.0.0.0.0, v180.0.0.1.11 and v146.0.0.1.197. Android normally won't update one with the other. v185.0.0.0.0 · v180.0.0.1.11 · v146.0.0.1.197

Store checks and file details

Developer signature under review Sep 5, 2026
Validated against Google Play Sep 5, 2026
Signed byL=Menlo Park, ST=California, OU=Meta Mobile, O=Meta Platforms Inc., C=US, CN=Meta Platforms Inc.
Signing certificate (SHA-1)5D:40:D2:B2:16:DB:97:31:CC:E0:C8:F0:A5:74:3C:90:70:6C:C4:87
File MD5c8a98407914288011b8bc3c96b9e9653
Uploaded by “appupdater” Gold tier · 117,810 followers · uploading since 2020

Scans and ratings come from the source store; the certificate comparisons are AAPKs's own, made from the files' published signatures (3 other versions compared). AAPKs doesn't scan files itself — compare the MD5 and signer after downloading.

Permissions (12)

Free Basics by Facebook requests 12 permissions, 2 of them sensitive.

Modify shared storage Sensitive android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
Read phone status and identity Sensitive android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE
Add home-screen shortcuts com.android.launcher.permission.INSTALL_SHORTCUT
Change network state android.permission.CHANGE_NETWORK_STATE
Full network access android.permission.INTERNET
Get tasks android.permission.GET_TASKS
Internal broadcast protection (app-defined) com.freebasics.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION
Prevent the device from sleeping android.permission.WAKE_LOCK
Request delete packages android.permission.REQUEST_DELETE_PACKAGES
Run at startup android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED
View Wi-Fi connections android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE
View network connections android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE

Required hardware & features

Basic touch input android.hardware.faketouch
Portrait screen android.hardware.screen.portrait
Wi-Fi android.hardware.wifi

Free Basics by Facebook APK: questions and answers

Is there a version of Free Basics by Facebook for older Android phones?

The current version needs Android 6.0 or later. Version 146.0.0.1.197 is the newest listed build that installs on Android 4.1 and later. It is an old build: apps that rely on online services may no longer connect when they are this old. Get version 146.0.0.1.197 · All versions

Can I install this APK over the version I already have?

Yes, if your installed copy is older. It is signed like the Google Play version, so Android installs it as an update and keeps your data.

Is the Free Basics by Facebook APK safe?

No one can promise that a file is safe, but some things can be checked. The source store rates this file Trusted. Its signature matches the Google Play version. After downloading, check that the file's MD5 is c8a98407914288011b8bc3c96b9e9653.