Buzz
Facebook has created a dedicated Messenger app for mobile devices, allowing you to chat with your Facebook friends. Facebook Messenger, or simply Messenger, is a standalone messaging app that replaces Facebook's messaging features. With Messenger, you can access advanced chat features, such as customizing message colors or changing emoji icons. Messenger is regularly updated with new functionalities, including money transfers, chatbot creation, ride-hailing, and sharing photos instantly with friends through Photo Magic.
Steps
Install Messenger
Open the App Store on your mobile device. You can download the Messenger app for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, and Windows Phone. Open your device's app store to search and download the app.
- You can also directly access the Messenger app store page by opening the Messages section on Facebook.
Search for the keyword "Messenger." Several results labeled "Messenger" will appear.
Install the Messenger app from Facebook. Review the developer information in the list and locate the official Facebook app. Tap "Install" to download and set up the application.
- Your device must be connected to a wireless network to download the app.
Log in to Messenger. Upon opening Messenger, you'll be prompted to sign in with your Facebook account. If your device already has the Facebook app installed, you won't need to enter your login details.
- If you don't have a Facebook account, you can use your phone number to create a standalone Messenger account. This allows you to chat with Messenger users in your contacts, but you won't have access to Facebook chats. Tap "Not on Facebook" on the login screen to create a Messenger account. This feature is not available in all regions.
Chat with Friends
View your Facebook conversations. When you launch Messenger, all your Facebook messages will appear under the Recent tab. Tap any chat box to open it.
Start a new conversation. To create a new message, tap the "New Message" button from the Recent tab:
- iOS - Tap the New Message button in the top-right corner.
- Android - Tap the "+" icon in the bottom-right corner and select the "Write Message" option.
Add friends to the conversation. After creating a new message, a list of friends you interact with most will appear. You can select someone from this list or use the search bar at the top to find anyone in your friends list or contacts. You can also add newly created groups.
- You can type a name to add more friends after selecting the first recipient.
Type your message. Below the conversation is the text field labeled "Write a message." Tap on it if the keyboard doesn't appear automatically.
- Unlike SMS, there is no character limit on Messenger (approximately 20,000 characters).
Tap the "emoji" button to insert emojis. This button switches the on-screen keyboard to an emoji keyboard. Swipe left or right to browse different categories and scroll up or down to view emojis within each category.
- iOS - Tap the Smiley face button on the left side of the space bar. Tap "ABC" to return to the regular keyboard.
- Android - The emoji button is located to the right of the text field and looks like four smiley faces arranged in a square. Tap it to open the emoji keyboard and tap again to return to the regular keyboard.
Tap the Like button to send a thumbs-up. If you haven't typed anything, you'll see the Like button next to the text field. Tap the icon to quickly send a Like in response to an interesting message from your friends. The Like will be sent immediately upon tapping.
- Press and hold the Like button to enlarge the thumbs-up icon. If you hold it too long, it will "disappear."
Tap the ⓘ button (Android) or the conversation name (iOS) to change colors, emojis, and other settings. You can modify various conversation-specific settings directly from the screen. Note that all participants in the chat will see these changes.
- Tap "Notifications" to enable or disable alerts for the conversation.
- Select "Color" to change the chat's color theme. All participants will see this update.
- Tap "Emoji" to assign a unique emoji to the conversation, replacing the "Like" button.
- Use the "Nicknames" option to set custom nicknames for friends, applicable only to the current chat.
- Tap "View Profile" to access a friend's Facebook profile.
Check how far others have read in the conversation. Small avatar circles on the right side of the chat indicate where each participant has read up to.
Send images, stickers, GIFs, and Audio Notes
Tap the Camera button to capture and send photos or videos. Use your device's camera to quickly take and send images or videos within the conversation. Ensure Messenger has access to your camera and device storage.
- Tap the circle icon to take a photo. Press and hold to record a video (up to 15 seconds). Swipe away from the button to cancel.
- Tap the Camera button at the bottom to switch between front and rear cameras.
- Press "Send" after capturing to share it in the chat.
Select the "Gallery" icon to send photos from your device. Use this option to browse and send images saved in your camera roll.
- Tap a photo and press "Send" to share it.
- Use the "Pencil" icon to draw or write on the image before sending.
Tap the Smiley icon to send stickers. You can insert various stickers available on Facebook Messenger into your messages. Swipe the sticker panel left or right to browse different sticker packs.
- Tap any sticker to send it instantly.
- Press and hold a sticker to preview it. Many stickers are animated.
- Select the "+" icon in the top-right corner of the sticker panel to access the Sticker Store and explore new stickers. Many sticker packs are available for free.
Tap the GIF button to search and send animated GIFs. GIFs are a popular image file format with quick motion effects. Messenger allows you to search for GIFs hosted on popular platforms and send them directly to the conversation. Trending GIFs will appear when you open this tab.
- Search for the GIF you want to use. For example, type "battlestar" to find GIFs related to Battlestar Galactica.
- GIFs are sent immediately to the chat when you tap on them.
Tap the Microphone icon to send voice notes. You can record voice messages that participants in the conversation can listen to at their convenience. If your device has a small screen, tap the "..." icon first.
- Press and hold the Record button to start recording your voice note. Release to send the recording immediately. Swipe away from the record button to cancel the message.
Enable Photo Magic to let Messenger recognize friends' faces in your photos. Photo Magic scans photos taken with your phone's camera, even when Messenger isn't in use, and matches recognized faces with your Facebook friends. You'll receive a notification and can instantly send the photo via Messenger to tagged individuals.
- Open the Settings or Profile tab in Messenger.
- Select "Photos & Media."
- Choose the "Photo Magic" feature and toggle it on.
- Open the notification that appears when you take a photo of friends. Tap "Send" to share the photo via Messenger with tagged individuals.
Make Phone Calls and Video Calls
Initiate a conversation with the person you wish to call. You can make free phone or video calls with anyone using the Messenger app. For instance, if you open a chat with Nam and the call button at the top of the screen is grayed out, or you see the message "Invite Nam to Messenger," it means the person is not using the Messenger app and cannot receive calls.
Press the Phone or Video Call button to start a call. Messenger will begin connecting to the recipient. Their device will ring, provided it has call notifications enabled and an active internet connection.
Chat as much as you like. Using Messenger is free, but you will consume mobile data if not connected to Wi-Fi. Video calls can quickly deplete your data, so try to limit them when connected to Wi-Fi.
Share your current location with friends
Open a conversation. You can send your location within a chat to help friends easily find you. This option is only available when you are in an active chat session.
Tap on the "..." (ellipsis) icon, then select the "Location" option. Enable location services if prompted by Messenger.
Move the pin icon to the location you wish to share. When the map first opens, the pin will be at your current location. You can drag the map around the pin to select and share a different spot.
Press the "Send" button to share the pinned location. A map image will appear in the chat, showing the pinned location and any selected places. The map will expand to full screen when the recipient taps on it, allowing them to get directions.
Make payments through Messenger
Open the Settings menu (for iOS) or Profile (for Android). You can send and receive money via Messenger, and all you need is a valid debit card. To get started, you’ll need to provide your card details. This step will allow you to transfer and receive funds from your bank account.
Select "Payments" (Thanh toán) from the settings menu. The payment screen will appear.
Click on "Add New Debit Card." (Thêm thẻ ghi nợ mới) This is the only payment method supported by Messenger. You will need a bank-issued debit card or a credit union debit card to send or receive money. Credit cards, prepaid debit cards, and PayPal are not supported in this case.
- A debit card is required to send and receive money.
Enter your debit card details. Fill in the debit card number, expiration date, security code on the back, and ZIP code. Click "Save" (Lưu) to add the card to your account.
- Messenger only supports certain banks, and your debit card might not be supported.
Open a conversation with the person you want to send or receive money from. Now that the card has been added, you can start sending and receiving money. You can open a conversation with an individual or a group.
Click on "..." and then select "Payments." This action will open the options to send and receive money.
- If there are multiple people in the conversation, you will be prompted to choose one before proceeding.
Enter the amount you wish to send or receive. You can switch between modes by clicking the "Pay" (Thanh toán) or "Request" (Yêu cầu) tab. Input the amount you want to transfer or request from the other person.
Add a note (optional). It’s a good idea to specify the reason for the payment or request. Use this method if the other party is unclear about the transaction details.
Send the request or complete the payment. If you agree to proceed with the transaction, click "Next" (Tiếp tục) to send the payment request. Once the recipient approves (and their payment settings are configured), the funds will begin transferring. It may take up to three days for the money to appear in your bank account.
Book an Uber or Lyft Ride
Start a conversation with someone. You can request Uber and Lyft rides directly within Messenger chats. This feature allows friends to track your ride and even book a ride for someone else. (Note: This feature is currently unavailable in Vietnam.)
- You’ll need an Uber or Lyft account to use this feature and will be guided to create one if you don’t already have it.
- You can also initiate a chat directly with the Uber or Lyft chatbot. Start a new conversation with the Uber or Lyft bot and follow the prompts.
Click on the "..." icon and select "Transportation." (Giao thông vận tải) This will display the ride-booking options.
Choose the service you want to use. Currently, you can select between Uber and Lyft (if available in your area). You’ll still need an account for the service. This option won’t appear if you’re interacting directly with a chatbot.
- If you don’t have an Uber or Lyft account, you’ll need to create one and add payment details.
Allow the selected service to access your Messenger account. This step is mandatory to connect the transportation service through the Messenger app.
Select the type of vehicle you want. Depending on your location and chosen service, you may have multiple vehicle options. Use the tabs to switch between them, and check the transportation company’s support page for details on the differences.
Set your desired pickup location. Your current location will be the default. You can change this to any location, which is especially useful when booking a ride for someone else.
Set your desired destination. You must enter the destination before booking a ride.
Press "Request" to book your ride. The arrival time depends on local factors. Payment is processed using stored payment details with the travel service or via a debit card linked to your Messenger account.
Add more apps to Messenger
Start a conversation with someone. Messenger allows you to install multiple apps designed to work seamlessly with it. This can be done in any chat.
Click the "..." icon. Additional conversation options will appear.
Scroll through the list of available apps. You can scroll down to view all apps compatible with Messenger. Some are standalone apps that integrate with Messenger, while others are specifically designed for it.
- App availability may vary depending on your device.
Tap "Install" or "Open" to access the app store page. All Messenger apps are installed from your device's app store.
Install the app. Tap "Get" or "Install" and set it up just like any other app on your device.
Tap the "..." button again in your Messenger chat. A blue dot will indicate new options are available.
Select the extension. These extensions are listed at the top of the screen. This action will open the apps on your device.
Use the app. Different apps serve various functions, but most involve creating message content to send. Refer to the app's support page for guidance on maximizing its features.
Tap the "Send to Messenger" button. The text placement and process accuracy may vary by app, but you can typically send content created directly back to Messenger.
Tap the "Send" icon in Messenger to share content created in another app. You'll see a preview of the content before sending it.
Chat with Chatbots
Find a chatbot you want to interact with. Chatbots allow users to engage with companies and organizations without phone calls or waiting for email responses. Chatbot support is emerging, with only a few in use currently. Here are some available chatbots:
- CNN - m.me/cnn
- Wall Street Journal - m.me/wsj
- Poncho - m.me/hiponcho
- 1-800-flowers - m.me/1800flowers
- Spring - m.me/springNYC
Open the "People" section in the Messenger app. All your current contacts will be displayed.
Search for the chatbot you want to add. An available chatbot will appear in the "Bots" list. The search feature isn't entirely reliable yet, so it's easier to visit the chatbot's website (e.g., m.me/cnn) on your mobile browser and choose to open the link in Messenger. A direct chat window will then open.
Start chatting with the chatbot. Things will get interesting. Chatbots respond based on specific commands and keywords, with limited natural language processing capabilities. Be as specific as possible and use short phrases. Experiment with different approaches for each bot.
- For example, typing "top news" to the CNN bot will fetch the day's headlines. You can also type "election" to get updates on upcoming elections.
- With 1-800-flowers, typing "order flowers" lets you browse available items and place orders online. During the process, typing "change mind" cancels the order.
Adjust Notifications on iOS
Open the app's Settings section. You can configure how Messenger notifies you about new messages in the Settings. Tap the "Settings" button in the bottom-right corner.
Tap on "Notifications." (Notifications) This will open the notification settings for the Messenger app.
- Note: You cannot completely turn off notifications or change sound settings from this menu bar. You can only disable Messenger notifications through the Settings section as per the instructions.
Enable/disable preview mode. This action allows you to determine the information displayed in the alert panel when receiving a message.
Mute notifications for a specific duration. Press the "Mute" button to silence notification sounds for the set period. You can choose to mute for a few hours or until the next morning (9 AM). Note that this method does not completely disable notifications.
Click on "Notifications in Messenger" to configure in-app options. Messenger has its own notification settings when the app is open and active. In this menu, you can enable or disable sound and vibration alerts for new messages while using the app.
Open the Settings app on your device to adjust additional notification preferences. If you wish to change how notifications appear, whether to enable or completely disable them, you will need to use the iOS device's Settings app.
Select the "Notifications" option in the Settings menu. A list of apps will be displayed.
Tap on "Messenger" from the list of apps. This will open the notification settings specifically for the Messenger app.
Toggle notifications on or off using the "Allow Notifications" slider. This action will completely disable notifications for the Messenger app.
Enable or disable additional notification settings. You can configure settings independently of the notification display status in the Notification Center, including sounds, app badges for unread messages, and lock screen visibility. You can also customize how notifications appear while using other apps on your device.
Adjust notifications on Android
Open the Profile section of the app. You will find app settings here, including notification options. Tap the "Profile" button located at the top-right corner.
Select "Notifications & Sounds." (Notifications & Sounds) This will open the notification settings for the Messenger app.
- You cannot completely disable Messenger notifications here. You need to use the Android Settings app to turn off notifications as per the instructions.
Enable/disable notification previews. Previews will show the name and content of newly received messages in notifications. Turn off previews if you don’t want this information displayed on your lock screen.
Toggle vibration mode. You can disable vibration for new notifications by using the slider.
Enable/disable notification lights. If your device has an LED light, you can turn the notification light on or off. This option will not be available if your device lacks an LED light.
Toggle notification sounds on or off. Use the Sound slider to enable or disable notification sounds for Messenger.
Tap "Notification Sound" to change the alert tone in Messenger. You can choose from a list of notification sounds already downloaded on your Android device.
Enable/disable in-app sounds. Messenger uses various sounds within the app, such as when refreshing your conversation list. This slider allows you to turn those sounds on or off.
Open the Settings app on your Android device to completely disable notifications. If you want to turn off all Messenger notifications, you need to do so through Android Settings:
- Open Settings and select "Apps" or "Application Manager."
- Tap "Messenger" from your app list.
- Uncheck the "Allow notifications" box.
- If this option is not visible in Settings, return to the main Settings menu and select "Sound & notification." Tap "Apps" under the "Notifications" section. Choose "Messenger" from the app list, then enable "Block."
Using Messenger on desktop
Access the website .messenger.com using your desktop browser. Messenger is now accessible via the Messenger.com website. Most features available on the mobile app, including payment functionalities, can also be used here.
- There is no dedicated Messenger program for computers. Avoid downloading any software claiming to connect with Facebook Messenger, as this could compromise your personal account.
Log in using your personal Facebook account. If you've previously logged into Facebook on your computer, you can proceed without re-entering your login details.
Use the Messenger website just like you would on the app. You'll see a list of conversations on the left side of the page. The selected conversation will open in the main frame, with options for photos, stickers, GIFs, voice recordings, and payments displayed to the right of the message field.
- Some features, such as order tracking, are not available on the web version.
