Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority Show
20 Facebook Messenger tips and tricks:
Editor’s note: All instructions on this list of Facebook Messenger tips and tricks were created using a Pixel 4a with 5G running Android 12. Steps might differ from device to device, especially if you’re using another mobile OS.
You can use nicknames!You don’t need to look at serious, official names all the time. Facebook Messenger makes it easy to set nicknames on your contacts.
Mute conversationsAs much as you love your friends and family, they can get too chatty. I mute conversations when I need to focus on something or can’t be looking at messages every few seconds.
Change conversation colorsColor coding your conversation can make it easier to identify contacts and give each chat a personal touch.
Turn on Dark ModeDark Mode will not only make Facebook Messenger look cooler, but if you happen to have a phone with an AMOLED screen, it can save battery too. It’s also easier on the eyes when chatting it up in the dark.
Use Facebook Messenger without an account!Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority You can no longer officially use your phone number instead of a Facebook account for Messenger. Still, there is a workaround for using the popular chat app without getting too tied up with the social network. It requires signing up temporarily, though. Here’s the workaround. Create an account:
Access Facebook Messenger:
Deactivate your account:
Use Messenger.com to chat from any browserWhether you are at work, in a meeting, or prefer using your computer to chat, Messenger.com is an excellent substitute for the official apps or Facebook page. Head over to Messenger.com to catch up on your convos. Send audio messagesAudio messages are available for those times when typing a long message is too annoying.
Use Facebook Messenger as your SMS appMany of you already use Facebook Messenger for most of your messaging needs, so you might as well use it for SMS. This feature only works on Android, but that isn’t a problem for most people reading this site.
Send your locationSending your location to a friend is much easier than explaining where you are.
Make voice and video calls on Facebook Messenger
This may seem like a basic feature, but I have met plenty of people who didn’t know it existed. To start a voice or video call, follow the following steps.
React to messagesYou don’t need to type out a whole message to let your friends know how you feel about something they wrote.
Reply to a specific messageConversations can get heated and cover multiple topics very quickly. Sometimes you respond to questions way too late, or answer to various messages simultaneously. Help avoid confusion by letting people know which message you are responding to.
Alternatively, you can tap on the message you want to reply to, then drag your finger to the right. Delete messagesI’ve sent plenty of messages I shouldn’t have. Thankfully, Facebook Messenger now allows you to delete them.
Create a pollTrying to reach a decision in a group chat can turn into an endless argument. The easiest way to handle it is by casting a vote, and Facebook Messenger makes that easy with Polls.
Share a Story!Stories are all the rage these days, and Facebook Messenger has them too. For those behind the times, a Story is pretty much a look into your daily adventures. You can shoot an image or video (up to 20 seconds long) and share it with your friends and fans. These can be adorned with stickers, drawings, typing, and special effects. Additionally, you can select who gets to see it.
Secret conversations are encryptedSensitive conversations require more private chats. Facebook Messenger doesn’t want you to leave, so it has provided Secret Conversations. These are encrypted. You can even set a timer on messages so they will auto-destruct after a specified period of time. As always, privacy comes with sacrifices. Going into Secret Conversation mode will disable most fun features in Messenger, including GIF support, payments, group messages, voice calls, and video calls.
View message requests from strangersWhen you don’t have a contact added, chats get sent to message requests. I prefer not to deal with strangers on Facebook, but sometimes people I know get thrown in my message requests without my knowledge. It’s good to check now and then.
Block a contactWhether you deal with stalkers, enemies, criminals, or just people you don’t like, you can easily block them.
Send money through Facebook MessengerEdgar Cervantes / Android Authority You can also send money to your Facebook Messenger Contacts! It’s a great way to settle money transactions while staying within a conversation.
Next: The best budget apps for money management Change the default Facebook Messenger emojiEdgar Cervantes / Android Authority By default, all conversations in Facebook Messenger have the thumbs-up emoji as an option. You can change it, though! It’s a neat trick you can use to make a conversation fun.
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