Buzz
Facebook Messenger is a standalone app that lets you chat and send messages to your Facebook friends without needing to access the main Facebook app. In some countries, you can even create a Messenger account without a Facebook account. The app is supported on iPhone, Android, and Windows phones. You can also access Messenger from its official website on your computer. Beyond chatting with friends, Messenger allows you to make regular and video calls for free, send and receive money, or interact with chatbots.
Steps
iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
Open the App Store on your iOS device. You can install Messenger for free from the App Store.
- You can access the Messenger app page on the App Store by opening the Messages section in the Facebook app and tapping on "Install."
Tap on the "Search" tab at the bottom of the screen. This action opens the app search field.
Search for "Messenger." A list of apps matching your search will appear.
Tap on "GET" next to the "Messenger" app. Ensure that the app is developed by "Facebook, Inc."
Tap "INSTALL" to download the app. The app will begin downloading to your device immediately.
- Depending on your settings, you may need to enter your Apple ID and password before downloading.
- A Wi-Fi connection is required to download apps from the App Store.
Launch Facebook Messenger after downloading. You can find the app on your Home screen or tap the "OPEN" button next to the app on the App Store page after it has been downloaded.
Log in to Facebook Messenger. When launching Messenger, you will be prompted to log in. If you already have Facebook installed on your iOS device, you can quickly log in using the same Facebook account.
- If you want to log in with a different Facebook account, tap "Switch Account" and enter the credentials for the account you wish to use.
Log in to Facebook Messenger without a Facebook account (available in select regions). You don’t need a Facebook account to use Messenger if you live in the US, Canada, or Venezuela. The app allows you to chat with friends using Messenger by syncing your phone contacts.
- Tap "Not on Facebook?" on the Messenger login screen.
- Enter your phone number.
- Input the verification code sent via SMS.
- Provide the name you want to display on Messenger and upload a profile picture.
Decide whether to enable notifications. Messenger will ask you to allow app notifications. You won’t receive alerts unless you select "OK."
- You’ll get notifications for new messages and incoming calls. Messenger functions similarly to a standard messaging app.
- If notifications are disabled, you’ll miss calls and video calls unless you’re actively using the app. Enable notifications to fully utilize Messenger’s calling features.
Enter your phone number. Messenger requests your phone number to make it easier for friends to find you. If your number is already linked to your Facebook account, it will be pre-filled. Providing your number is optional.
Choose whether to sync your contacts. Messenger will scan your phone’s contacts to find others using the app. If you prefer not to, select "OK" > "Don't Allow."
- If enabled, Messenger will continuously monitor your device’s contacts and update new Messenger accounts. This makes it easy to add friends automatically when you save their phone numbers.
Start using Messenger. Once logged in, you’ll see all your Facebook messages. You can chat, make calls, and start video calls. For more detailed usage tips, you can explore online tutorials about Messenger.
Android
Open the Google Play Store. You can download Facebook Messenger for free from the Google Play Store.
- You can also access the Messenger page directly by opening the messaging section in the Facebook app.
Search for "Messenger." A list of results matching Messenger will appear.
Select "Messenger" from the list. Choose the app developed by "Facebook," which is usually at the top of the list.
Tap on "Install." Review the permissions and tap "Accept" to proceed with the installation.
- On Android 6.0 and later, you’ll be asked to grant permissions when launching the app instead of during installation.
- Enter your Google account password if prompted. Depending on your security settings, you may need to provide your password to download the app.
Wait for the app to download. This process may take a few minutes. Depending on your Play Store settings, you might need a Wi-Fi connection to complete the download.
Launch the Messenger app. You can find the app on your Home screen or App Drawer. Alternatively, tap the "Open" button on the Messenger app page.
Log in with your Facebook account. If the Facebook app is already installed on your Android device, you’ll be prompted to use the same account for Messenger. To log in with a different account, tap "Switch Accounts."
Log in without a Facebook account (available in select regions). You don’t need a Facebook account to use Messenger if you live in the US, Canada, Peru, or Venezuela. Note that you can only chat with contacts who use Messenger and cannot connect with Facebook friends.
- Tap "Not on Facebook?" on the login screen.
- Enter your phone number if prompted.
- Input the verification code sent via SMS.
- Provide the name you want to display in chats.
Add your phone number (optional). You’ll be prompted to enter your phone number to make it easier for friends to find you. If your number is already linked to Facebook, it will be displayed. You can skip this step by tapping "Not Now."
Decide whether to sync your contacts (optional). Facebook Messenger will request access to your contacts to check if they use Messenger. You can skip this step by clicking "Not Now."
- Syncing contacts allows Messenger to continuously update and automatically add contacts with Messenger accounts. When you add a new number to your contacts, Messenger will check if it’s linked to a Messenger account and add it to your Messenger friends list if available.
Start using Facebook Messenger. Once logged in, you’ll see all your Facebook conversations. You can use the app to chat with your Facebook friends. For more detailed instructions, refer to online guides.
Windows Phone
Open the Windows Store. You can download Facebook Messenger for free from the Windows Store.
Search for the keyword "Facebook Messenger." A list of related apps will appear.
Tap on "Messenger" in the search results. Ensure the app is developed by "Facebook Inc."
Tap "Install" to download Messenger. The app will begin downloading to your device.
Log in to Facebook Messenger. If you’re already logged into Facebook on your Windows phone, you can quickly log in with the same account. To use a different account, tap "Switch Accounts" and log in.
Add your phone number (Optional). Messenger will prompt you to enter your phone number to make it easier for friends to find you. You can skip this step if you prefer.
Decide whether to allow Messenger to scan your phone contacts. Messenger can monitor your contacts and notify you when you add someone who uses Messenger. You can skip this step if you prefer.
- Messenger will check new contacts and automatically add them to your friends list if their phone number is linked to a Messenger account.
Start using Messenger. Once logged in, you can use Messenger to chat with your Facebook friends. Note that the Windows Phone version of the app lags behind iOS and Android, offering fewer features.
Messenger Website on Computer
Visit.messenger.com in your web browser. You can use the Messenger website to access your messages on a computer.
- The website messenger.com is the only official way to access Messenger from a computer. Avoid downloading third-party Messenger programs as they are unofficial and pose risks.
Log in with your Facebook account. If you’re already logged into the same Facebook account on your browser, you’ll see a "Continue as Your Name" button. Click "Switch Account" to log in with a different Facebook account.
Start using the Messenger website. Most features available on the mobile app are also accessible here. Conversations are listed on the left side of the screen. Clicking on a chat expands it, and you can view contact details on the right-hand side.
