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If you use Facebook Messenger, you may think it’s only for sending messages to your Facebook friends. If you don’t use Facebook Messenger, you may have no idea what it does.
The good news is that Facebook Messenger is filled with handy tools that can make it much easier to interact with others. For example, you can share songs, play games and even share your location on a map within Messenger.
Even more good news is that you don’t have to be on Facebook to use Facebook Messenger.
Learn about these 14 handy tools on Facebook Messenger. Then, at the end of the article, learn how to sign up for Facebook Messenger if you’re not on Facebook.
About Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger can be used via Facebook on the Internet, on the Facebook Messenger mobile app, and on the Facebook Messenger website.
To use Facebook Messenger on the Facebook website, click on the Messenger icon.
Now, on to the 14 helpful tools…
Send Text Messages to Anyone
You can send text messages to your friends or anyone else using Messenger. Search through your list of Facebook friends who use Messenger.
Want to contact someone who isn’t your friend on Facebook? Search for them by name or phone number and send them a message using Messenger.
See Who’s Active on Facebook
Within Messenger you can see which of your friends ar active on Facebook so you can have a live chat with them. At the top of the Messenger app, look for the names and photos of your friends.
If there’s a green dot by their name, they’re currently using Facebook and may be available on Messenger.
Group Chats
You can chat with more than one person at a time on Messenger. Add names of people you want to chat with or create a Group so multiple people can join in on the conversation.
When creating a Group, be careful that everyone you add wants to be in it. If someone adds you to a Group, you can leave it if you don’t want to be part of the conversation.
On the Messenger app, tap the names at the top of the Group message, then scroll down to the bottom of the list of names. Tap Leave Group.
On the Facebook website, click on Messenger, then the Group conversation you wish to leave. Click the settings gear icon, then choose Leave Conversation.
Phone Calls
You can use Messenger to make voice calls to other Messenger users, even if you don’t know their phone number. Tap or click the phone icon in Messenger to begin your call.
Calls are free, even if your friend is across the globe.
Video Chat
Facebook Messenger lets you do video chats to individuals or Groups. Start the video chat by tapping or clicking the video camera icon in Messenger. See the Facebook Help page: How to Start a Video Chat on Messenger.
If you’re using the Messenger app for video chats, you can add special effects for even more fun! Tap the star icon and let the fun begin…
Share Your Location
Want to let a friend know where you are? Send them a map using Messenger.
Open a conversation, then tap the Plus + icon. Choose Location.
You’ll be asked if you want to share your location using Messenger. Note that you can continue to share your location even if you close the app.
You can also share your location for the next 60 minutes with a friend. This is handy when you’re trying to meet up with someone or traveling to their home.
Share a Map
You can also share a map. In the conversation, tap the Plus + icon, choose Location, then drop a pin on the map. You can also search for the place where you want to share a map.
Send Music
Are you rocking to a tune you KNOW your friend would love? Share that song with them on Messenger.
You can use Spotify and Apple Music to share songs on Messenger. Open a conversation, tap the Plus + icon, then choose the music service you want to use to share tunes.
Send a Voice Mail
Want to leave a voice message? Tap the microphone icon to record your voice and send it via Facebook Messenger.
Use Stickers, GIFs and Emojis
Make your message more fun by using Stickers, GIFs and Emojis. Click or tap on the happy face icon, then choose the Sticker, GIF or Emoji you want to use.
Learn more about using Facebook Stickers at Get Social with Emoticons on Twitter and Stickers on Facebook!
Send Money
You can send money to others in the U.S. using Facebook Messenger. Open the conversation, tap the Plus + icon, then tap Payments.
Play Games
Make Messenger even more fun by playing games. Open the conversation, tap the Plus + icon, then choose Games. Or choose Games from the bottom menu.
Choose from Games such as Words with Friends, Solitaire, Chess, Sudoku, Tetris, Jigsaw Puzzle and more. Find games you can play with others or on your own.
How to Use Facebook Messenger If You Don’t Use Facebook
If you want to use Facebook Messenger, but would prefer not to be on Facebook, you can do that. Go to the Facebook Messenger website and sign up using your phone number.
Your Thoughts
Do you use Facebook Messenger? Which of these handy Messenger tools have you used? Which are your favorites?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
* Facebook Messenger on Phone photo (edited) courtesy of Kārlis Dambrāns via Flickr and Creative Commons
Carolyn I myself am a huge fan of Messenger. Can’t wait to use it to send money as well. Do you know when this feature will be deployed outside US? Thanks!
Hi Consulenza, Yes, sending money is one of the many handy tools in Messenger. I don’t have any insight about when this feature will be available outside the U.S. Stay tuned to the Wonder of Tech for news of tech updates!
I don’t live in the USA but it was interesting to know that US residents can send money via Messenger!
Hi Lorraine, Yes, more companies now are letting people send money directly to each other. Facebook now has it through Messenger and Apple just introduced this feature through Apple Pay. It should be interesting to see whether one company becomes the market leader with these payment services.
Hi,
After reading the I came to know that option of sending money through messesnger.
Hi Anusha, Yes, payments are available in the US through Facebook Messenger. I hope this helps you in the future.
Hi Carolyn, Thank you so much for writing about Messenger. I really had no idea why I would need it when I am already on FB. Why didn’t FB just roll these features into their already existing app? I’m finding social media in general just too difficult to keep up with, and frankly am annoyed I have to add yet another app.
Hi Ann, Yes, Facebook separated Messenger from its Facebook app a few years ago. People speculated then that Facebook would be adding more features to Messenger and that’s exactly what happened.
You’re right, it would be easier if Messenger were in the Facebook app instead of being a separate app. But it’s helpful for those who want to use Messenger without being on Facebook, though I have to wonder how many of those people exist in the world…