Messenger

Facebook Messenger is a free instant messaging app and platform developed by Meta (formerly Facebook). While it started as a feature within the main Facebook app, it is now a standalone service that allows you to communicate with friends and family across the globe using the internet rather than traditional SMS.

As of early 2026, Messenger has become a “hub” for private communication, integrating AI assistants and cross-platform messaging with Instagram.

🛠 Key Features
Text & Multimedia: Send texts, photos in High Definition (HD), videos, and files up to 100MB.

Meta AI: Access an integrated AI assistant to answer questions, generate images, or help write messages directly in your chats.

Shared Albums: Create folders within group chats to organize photos from trips or events.

Cross-App Messaging: Message your Instagram friends directly from the Messenger app.

Log In: Sign in using your Facebook account. (Note: Since late 2019, a Facebook account is generally required to use the service).

2. Starting a Conversation
Find Someone: Tap the Pencil icon (New Message) at the top right and type a friend’s name.

QR Codes: You can also add people in person by scanning their unique Messenger QR code found in your profile settings.

3. Messaging Basics
Send a Message: Type in the text box and hit the Paper Airplane icon.

Edit/Unsend: If you make a mistake, you can long-press a message to Edit it (up to 15 minutes after sending) or Unsend it to remove it from the chat.

Reactions: Long-press any message to react with an emoji (like a heart or thumbs up).

4. Making Calls
Open a chat with the person you want to reach.

Tap the Phone icon for a voice call or the Video Camera icon for a video call at the top right of the screen.

💡 Quick Tips for 2026

Disappearing Messages: In encrypted chats, you can set a timer for messages to disappear after they are read.

Notes: Much like Instagram, you can now post a “Note”—a short 24-hour status update that appears at the top of your inbox.

Themes: You can customize individual chats by tapping the person’s name at the top and selecting Theme to change the background and coloRS