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Facebook Login for Business Setup (Required for Instagram API)

🎯 Key Discovery​

The Instagram API with Facebook Login requires "Facebook Login for Business" product, NOT regular "Facebook Login"!

According to the official docs: Instagram API with Facebook Login - Get Started

✅ Correct Permissions​

The documentation specifies these exact permissions:

  • instagram_basic ✅
  • pages_show_list ✅

Our code is already using these correctly!

🔧 Setup Steps​

Step 1: Add Facebook Login for Business Product​

  1. Go to your Facebook App Dashboard
  2. Click Add Product (left sidebar)
  3. Find "Facebook Login for Business" (NOT regular "Facebook Login")
  4. Click Set Up

Important: This is different from regular "Facebook Login"!

Step 2: Configure OAuth Redirect URIs​

  1. In Facebook Login for Business settings
  2. Add your redirect URI: 
    http://localhost:9000/app/settings/external-platforms/oauth-callback/facebook/callback
  3. For production, also add: 
    https://yourdomain.com/app/settings/external-platforms/oauth-callback/facebook/callback

Step 3: Request Permissions​

In Facebook Login for Business → Permissions:

  1. Add instagram_basic
  2. Add pages_show_list
  3. Optionally add pages_manage_posts for publishing

Step 4: Development Mode Setup​

For testing in Development mode:

  1. Go to Roles → Roles
  2. Click Add Testers
  3. Add the Facebook account that owns the Instagram Business account
  4. User must accept the invitation

Option B: Add Yourself as Admin​

  1. Go to Roles → Roles
  2. Add yourself as Administrator
  3. Admins can use all permissions in Development mode

Step 5: Verify App Settings​

Check these settings in your app:

App Dashboard → Settings → Basic:

  • App ID: YOUR_FACEBOOK_APP_ID ✅
  • App Secret: YOUR_FACEBOOK_APP_SECRET ✅
  • App Mode: Development (for testing)

App Dashboard → Facebook Login for Business:

  • Valid OAuth Redirect URIs: Your callback URL ✅
  • Client OAuth Login: Yes
  • Web OAuth Login: Yes

Step 6: Test Authentication​

  1. Go to Settings → Social Platforms → FBINSTA
  2. Click "Access" → "Log in with FBINSTA"
  3. You should now see:
    • "Allow access to your Facebook Pages" ✅
    • "Allow access to your Instagram account" ✅
  4. Grant permissions
  5. Check server logs for Instagram accounts fetched

🔍 Differences: Facebook Login vs Facebook Login for Business​

FeatureFacebook LoginFacebook Login for Business
PurposeConsumer appsBusiness/Enterprise apps
Instagram API❌ Not supported✅ Supported
PermissionsUser data onlyBusiness data (Pages, IG)
Use CaseSocial featuresBusiness management

📊 Required Configuration​

Your .env File​

FACEBOOK_CLIENT_ID=YOUR_FACEBOOK_APP_ID
FACEBOOK_CLIENT_SECRET=YOUR_FACEBOOK_APP_SECRET
FACEBOOK_REDIRECT_URI=http://localhost:9000/app/settings/external-platforms/oauth-callback/facebook/callback

Facebook App Products​

  • ✅ Facebook Login for Business (NOT regular Facebook Login)
  • ✅ Instagram API (optional, but recommended)

Permissions Requested​

  • ✅ instagram_basic - Access Instagram account info
  • ✅ pages_show_list - List Facebook Pages
  • ✅ pages_manage_posts - Publish to Pages (for posting)

🐛 Troubleshooting​

Error: "Invalid Scopes: instagram_basic"​

Cause: App doesn't have "Facebook Login for Business" product added

Solution:

  1. Go to App Dashboard
  2. Add Facebook Login for Business product (not regular Facebook Login)
  3. Configure permissions
  4. Re-authenticate

Error: "This app is in Development Mode"​

Cause: You're not a test user or admin

Solution:

  1. Add yourself as Tester or Administrator in Roles
  2. Accept invitation (for testers)
  3. Re-authenticate

Instagram Accounts Not Showing​

After adding Facebook Login for Business:

  1. ✅ Instagram account is Business/Creator type
  2. ✅ Instagram is linked to Facebook Page
  3. ✅ You're a test user or admin
  4. ✅ Re-authenticated after adding product
  5. Check server logs for errors

📋 Complete Checklist​

Before authenticating:

  • Facebook app created
  • Facebook Login for Business product added (key!)
  • OAuth redirect URI configured
  • instagram_basic permission added
  • pages_show_list permission added
  • You're added as test user or admin
  • Instagram account is Business/Creator type
  • Instagram account is linked to Facebook Page
  • Environment variables configured

🎯 Expected Flow​

1. Add "Facebook Login for Business" product
         ↓
2. Configure permissions (instagram_basic, pages_show_list)
         ↓
3. Add yourself as test user/admin
         ↓
4. Authenticate FBINSTA platform
         ↓
5. Grant Instagram permissions (now available!)
         ↓
6. Instagram accounts fetched ✅
         ↓
7. Create posts to both platforms! 🎉

🔗 Official Documentation​

💡 Key Takeaways​

  1. Use "Facebook Login for Business" - Not regular Facebook Login
  2. Permissions are correct - instagram_basic and pages_show_list
  3. Add as test user - For Development mode testing
  4. Instagram must be linked - To Facebook Page
  5. Business account required - Personal Instagram won't work

🎉 Summary​

The error "Invalid Scopes: instagram_basic" means your app needs "Facebook Login for Business" product, not regular Facebook Login.

Quick Fix:

  1. Go to App Dashboard → Add Product
  2. Add "Facebook Login for Business"
  3. Configure OAuth redirect URI
  4. Add yourself as test user
  5. Re-authenticate
  6. Instagram permissions will work! ✅

The Instagram API specifically requires "Facebook Login for Business" to access business accounts through Facebook Pages.

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