Facebook Home breaks 500k download mark in Google Play Store

Facebook's Home app has been downloaded over 500,000 times since launching in mid-April, but reviews for it have been scathing.

Google Play doesn't provide exact data for app installations, but it does provide users with a range to help track popularity. A cache of the Facebook Home download page from 19 April showed the number of installs were between 100,000 to 500,000.

The app is now listed in the 500,000 to 1 million range, despite being available on a handful of devices including the Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung Galaxy Note II, HTC One X and HTC One X+.

Although the number may seem positive, feedback from users who have tried the app will not make for happy reading at Facebook HQ. The app has a rating of just 2 stars with well over over half of the 11,000 reviews giving it just one star.

Complaints include the inability to log out of the app, as well as the drain on battery life and data allowance. The app also adds another layer on top of the lockscreen, which users have to negotiate before they can use other applications.

Many reviewers have uninstalled the app, and some have even gone so far as to label it the worst app in the Play Store.

One disgruntled user by the name of Chris Sharman tried Facebook Home on a Galaxy S3, and claimed downloading it was the worst thing he has ever done to his phone.

"Simple things like actually using it to make a phone call, almost impossible. [It's a] vile application," he noted.

Many of those who have left a one star review have also indicated that they have uninstalled the app.

Facebook is likely to be monitoring the feedback closely as it plans to update the app on a monthly cycle. However, it remains to be seen how many people are still using the launcher at the end of the month.