Facebook Messenger tricks you're (probably) not aware of

Use Facebook Messenger Without A Facebook Account

That’s right, Messenger isn’t just for awkward Facebook friends anymore. If you’re one of the rare few who doesn’t have a Facebook account, simply sign up with a valid phone number. The app won’t judge you. 

Get on it: Download the free (iOS/Android/Windows Phone) app and you'll see there's an option for Not On Facebook. Click on that and follow the instructions to get on Messenger without being on Facebook. Now you can remain elusive without being uncontactable. 

Works for: Everyone who's successfully resisted the temptation of Facebook


SHARE PHOTOS EASILY WITH FACIAL RECOGNITION

haring photographs just got a whole lot easier. With Photo Magic, the app itself will identify your friends and suggest that you send the photo to them. It takes all the actual thought of disseminating embarrassing club photos after a wild night out of it, leaving you more time to actually talk to your friends.

Get on it: To enable the feature, tap on the settings tab on the bottom bar, go into Photos & Media, and swipe on the Photo Magic option to toggle it on. It's only available on Android for now. Once it's on, you will get reminder notifications to send them photos they're in. Photos are not automatically sent; you'll get last say over what gets sent. 

Works for: Android users for now


COLOUR YOUR WORLD

If you have a very special chat that you’d like to personalize, why not set a chat colour to brighten the mood and differentiate all your chats?

Get on it: Tap on the person’s name, and then select the Colour menu to be given some bright options to choose from. Tap on your chosen shade to change the colour of the text bubbles and icons.

Works for: Group and individual chats. Messenger will never look the same again after you've splashed some digital colour on the interface. 



ADD APPS

You can do more than send the usual photos and videos taken with your phone’s native camera. If you’re the type to add a little more pizzazz to, well, your type, this next tip’s for you. Within the Facebook Messenger app lies other apps that will allow you to jazz up your messages with all manner of GIFs, moving text and enhanced videos.

Get on it: Go to More (...) in any of your chats and you’ll find a long list of apps that work with Messenger. They range from GIF-creating to photo-enhancing filters and effects. Whichever you choose, you’ll be able to create a little visual celebration for your friend.

It’s no coincidence that GIF makes up most of “gift”. You’ll be able to access these apps directly from Messenger so get creating there. There’s more than enough apps to help you express yourself in brand new ways.

Works for: Group and individual chats



EDIT PHOTOS

Add a personal touch to photos you send over. Especially useful when you have the habit of sending screenshots of other conversations to people. When there’s a whole screen full of chatter, people won’t know where to look. You can focus their attention with a helpful scribble or two.

Get on it: In a chat, tap on the third icon from the left to bring up the most recently taken photos in your camera roll, tap on one and then tap Edit. You’ll be able to add text or do a free-finger drawing, or do both actually. When it comes to adding text, you won’t be able to change the font colour, but for free-finger drawing, just tap on the colour of your choice on the colour bar on the right.

Works for: Group and individual chats



CHANGE YOUR NUMBER ON MESSENGER

You can change your contact number on Messenger so that people can reach your private mobile instead of your work mobile. Works like a charm if you have more than one phone, or if you're overseas and you want to remain contactable on your new SIM. You can also go to your Facebook profile to control who can see it. Just be careful that you don't rack up expensive data charges!

Get on it: Go to Settings in the right hand corner of the bottom bar, and tap on the number below your name. Tap Change phone number and key in the number you wish to be contacted by for a certain period.

Works for: Individual chats

source:stuff