Free chat platform from Facebook
Messenger is a free Facebook service that allows you to write messages to your Facebook friends. Facebook Messenger lets you have audio and video calls with one or multiple people inside of the application. While Facebook has a reputation for being an unsafe application, certain features can make the app safer like the Messenger Vanish Mode and Secret chats.
In case you want to direct message people while you use your phone, Facebook requires you to download this separate application, Messenger. Additional chat services that are less redundant than Messenger are Signal, Threema, Telegram, Wire, and Viber.
How do I open Messenger only?
Messenger is a standalone application that is available for both desktops and mobile phones. The cross-platform program is available on Android, Apple Mac, iOS, and Microsoft Windows PC operating systems.
In case you want to send a DM on Facebook on your iPhone device, then you will need to download this messenger app. You will find that the built-in messenger in FB doesn’t work when you use FB on your mobile device, whether in the app or website.
Can I get Messenger without Facebook?
Messenger does not need the Facebook application to be installed on your smartphone to run, however, you will need to log in to your Facebook account to use the messaging app. Since Messenger is an extension of Facebook, a FB account is needed to use FB Messenger.
In case you have the Facebook software installed, the FB app will launch certain actions like when you click the ‘Profile’ button of someone. Since Messenger will bring up profiles inside of your default web browser like Safari, you can still visit profiles without FB installed on your phone.
Messenger has an official website that you can use to log into your account. The Facebook official website lets you message people privately on Messenger when you are on a computer or laptop, however, the FB website on your phone requires you to get the Messenger app.
How do I log in to Messenger?
A log-in screen will appear after you install and open Messenger. The login credentials will be the same as your Facebook account that you want to message from. Two main tabs are available at the bottom of the screen, ‘Chats’ and ‘People’. Active and past chats are listed in the ‘Chats’ tab from the most to least recent.
The profile pictures and names of the people that you are messaging will appear, along with previews and dates of the last sent messages. A timestamp will appear on the profile pictures of people who have their ‘Active Status’ turned on to show the number of minutes in which they were last seen on Messenger.
In case you want to activate or deactivate your ‘Active Status’, you can click on your profile picture in the top left corner to tap on ‘Active Status’. Messenger delivers real-time updates on the status of your friends. The people who are online and have their ‘Active Status’ on will have a green dot on their profile pictures.
The ‘Create room’ option at the top of the screen in the ‘Chats’ tab is a video call feature that competes with video chat applications like Skype and Zoom. Messenger rooms let you add up to 50 people into the video call from the app. In case you want to send written messages instead of video calls to multiple people, you can click on the pen icon in the upper right corner.
The ‘Create a New Group’ option lets you name your group and search for friends that you want to add. You can message or call the members in group video, audio, and text conversations.
Can I message someone on Facebook if we are not friends?
Messenger lets you send messages to people that are not your Facebook friend. In case you have an Instagram account, Facebook Messenger syncs your Instagram friends to your FB Messenger account. Accounts that you follow on Instagram will appear at the bottom of the ‘People’ list.
Chats let you send pictures, videos, voice recordings, GIFs, stickers, and more. You can find the messaging features at the bottom of your conversations.
What is Vanish Mode on Messenger?
Vanish Mode is a privacy setting that you can turn on to automatically erase your sent messages after your recipients viewed them. The Secret chat room is another safety preference that delivers important benefits like end-to-end encryption.
Secret chats are the most secure method to use on Facebook Messenger. Both current and new chats can become secret. In case you want to make your current conversations into Secret discussions, then you can enter the chats to click on the name of the people or groups at the top.
A ‘Go to Secret Conversation’ option is available in the ‘More Actions’ section to turn your regular thread into one that is encrypted for your safety. Secret chats are even easier to make for new conversations since you can click on the pen icon in the upper right corner to start a new discussion and then select ‘Secret’.
Standalone Facebook messaging service
If you want to message people on Facebook from your mobile phone, then you will need to download and install Messenger. While you do not need to have Facebook installed on your phone to use Messenger, you will need to have a Facebook account to log into. Facebook has a functional and detailed user experience that gives you a lot of preferences to choose from like Vanish Mode and Secret chats.
What’s new?
Facebook Messenger delivers new software updates on a frequent basis to add improvements to the user experience. Messenger Rooms delivers an additional incentive to use the chat app, since the group video chats may be more convenient than Skype or Zoom.
Instantly reach the people in your life for free
Messenger is just like texting, but you don’t have to pay for every message (it works with your data plan).
Not just for Facebook friends: Message people in your phone book and just enter a phone number to add a new contact.
Group chats: Create groups for the people you message most. Name them, set group photos and keep them all in one place.
Photos and videos: Shoot videos and snap selfies or other photos right from the app and send them with one tap.
Free calls: Talk as long as you want, even with people in other countries. (Calls are free over Wi-Fi. Otherwise, standard data charges apply.)
Even more ways to message:
Bring your conversations to life with stickers.
Preview your camera roll photos and videos without leaving the conversation–then choose the perfect ones to send.
Record voice messages when you have more to say.
Extra features:
Know when people have seen your messages.
Forward messages or photos to people who weren’t in the conversation.
Search for people and groups to quickly get back to them.
Turn on location to let people know when you’re nearby.
See who’s available on Messenger and who’s active on Facebook.
Turn off notifications when you’re working, sleeping or just need a break.
Stay logged in so you never miss a message.
