Fifty-fifty though you lot probably utilize Facebook Messenger every mean solar day, we guarantee there are still some Facebook Messenger secrets you don't know about. With that in mind, hither are some Facebook Messenger tricks and features you should endeavor right now.

1. Brand Vocalization and Video Calls

Facebook Messenger isn't just for text messages. It'south simple to start a voice or video call by using the buttons at the top of your chat window.

You lot can too leave a vocalism bulletin whenever you similar. If the person you desire to talk to isn't around, simply leave them a message they can heed to later.

If you ever need to permit your friends know exactly where y'all are, jump into a conversation with them, hit the 4 dots in the lower-left corner, and cull Location. Your friend will instantly get a map showing your precise position.

Of course, there's a strong privacy argument against revealing your location to Mark Zuckerberg. But rest assured y'all can delete your location data from Facebook if yous wish.

3. Add Nicknames on Facebook Messenger

Yous've probably got a few friends who get by a nickname that's completely unrelated to their actual name on Facebook. You lot possibly also take friends that accept inverse surnames over the years, however yous only seem to call back their old names.

Spare yourself the confusion and apply Messenger'south nickname feature to help remind y'all who all of these people are. Just open a chat, tap on their name, and you lot should see the option to add a nickname.

four. Employ Stickers, GIFs, and Thumbs-Ups

Facebook has integrated a whole bunch of stickers for y'all to use in messages; many dissimilar styles are available. You can choose your favorites to proceed them readily bachelor.

If stickers aren't your matter, Facebook has integrated Giphy into Messenger, so you can discover any GIF you lot like and insert information technology in a few clicks. It's all very like shooting fish in a barrel.

There's likewise a quick thumbs-upwardly button you can use for a simple reaction to a message. Virtually people don't realize you can also resize information technology past belongings the thumb earlier you mail service.

Yous should also make yourself aware of what the circles mean in Facebook Messenger.

v. Utilise Facebook Messenger every bit a Boarding Pass

Some airlines give passengers the option to receive their flying updates and check-in notifications through Facebook Messenger. And when yous arrive at the airport, you can and so utilize Facebook Messenger as your boarding pass.

Amend even so, if you need to re-book your flight y'all can too exercise it all via Messenger.

6. Send Coin Through Facebook Messenger

Do you need to pay a friend back for something? So only swoop into Messenger and pay them directly.

Click the 4 dots and choose Payments. The kickoff fourth dimension y'all practice this you lot'll need to connect a debit card to your account.

seven. Kickoff a Group Chat

Instead of relaying your conversations betwixt friends, start a grouping chat with all the relevant parties so y'all tin can sort things out at once. Everyone gets all the updates and no-one misses annihilation important.

Yous can also proper noun your groups and pin them to the top, and so if y'all've got a long-term grouping chat going with your family members or your bowling friends you tin continue it organized and easy to find.

viii. Mute Messenger Notifications

If y'all've always been in an agile group conversation, you lot've probably noticed it can be a special course of torture. Notifications for every single message tin really start to get on your nerves.

Prepare the trouble by muting the whole grouping chat. You can mute conversations for a set length of fourth dimension—15 minutes, i hour, eight hours, 24 hours—or y'all can choose Until I turn information technology back on for an indefinite menses of time.

Remember, you can also disable Messenger notifications entirely by using Android or iOS's native settings bill of fare.

9. Change Conversation Color

Ill of Smurfy blue? Click on a contact and choose Theme . This will change the conversation color for anybody in the chat, even if information technology's a group chat.

You can besides format your text differently in Facebook Messenger.

x. Check Letters From Non-Friends

Past default, yous only meet messages from your contacts, fifty-fifty though occasionally yous may exist sent a message from a stranger. If y'all desire to check these messages, head to Settings >  Message Requests.

The conversations are divided into messages from people you may know and letters that Facebook has identified as spam.

11. Remove Previews

If yous've got your notifications showing up on your lock screen, information technology's a really good idea to end Messenger from displaying the content of your messages in those notifications. You don't really want your friends to exist able to see individual chats while your phone is on the table in front of them.

To remove previews, simply caput into the settings and uncheck the Notification Previews option.

12. Accept Photos in Messenger

Instead of taking a photo with your phone'southward camera app, then uploading it to Messenger, you lot can actually just click on the photographic camera icon to get the task washed. Have a quick selfie or a photo of something yous need to share and information technology will send instantly.

You tin can also concord the push to record a video with the same tool, which has options to use the rear camera, expand your view, and more.

thirteen. Describe on Your Pictures

Not everyone is content with a unproblematic photo. Sometimes you need to draw on it or write a chip of information to go far clear what the receiver is supposed to larn from the image. Then, click Edit while viewing your image and add whatever modifications are required.

14. Play Basketball game on Messenger

If y'all want a quick game of basketball with a friend—all you demand to exercise is send a basketball emoji to them, then tap on the bulletin. From there you lot merely swipe to get information technology into the hoop, which will gain y'all a point. When y'all eventually miss the hoop, your game will end and your score is tallied and sent to your friend so they can try to beat information technology.

Information technology is just ane of many instant games that Facebook has baked into the platform.

15. Use Messenger Without Facebook

Not everyone has a Facebook account, equally unbelievable as that may seem. If you want to use Facebook Messenger without a Facebook account, just install the Messenger app on your smartphone and it will identify you by your phone number.

Facebook Messenger vs. WhatsApp

The Messenger versus WhatsApp argue is showing no signs of going abroad. Most people volition naturally gravitate toward 1 of the two. A major factor seems to exist which app your friends use.

Of grade, both are owned by Facebook, so it might non be long until the two services are rolled together in some course anyway!

The 6 All-time Facebook Messenger Alternatives for Private Chats

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About The Author

Dan Cost (1606 Articles Published)

Dan joined MakeUseOf in 2014 and has been Partnerships Director since July 2020. Reach out to him for inquires most sponsored content, affiliate agreements, promotions, and whatever other forms of partnership. You tin as well find him roaming the show floor at CES in Las Vegas every year, say hi if you're going. Prior to his writing career, he was a Fiscal Consultant.

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