Do you know the app called Facebook Messenger?
If you’ve used Facebook, you’ve probably heard of it.
This messenger app actually has very useful functions.
“I installed it but left it alone” “I can’t seem to use it properly”
In this article, we will explain the functions of Facebook Messenger, how to use it properly, and how it differs from LINE.
What is Facebook Messenger?
Facebook Messenger (hereinafter referred to as Facebook Messenger) is an app that allows users of Facebook to have conversations.
You can use it in a similar way to LINE, such as making calls, sending messages, and sending photos and videos.
What kind of situations is it suitable for?
Facebook Messenger is also suitable for business use due to its features and usage.
Very useful when communicating with your boss or setting up a meeting with a business partner.
Usability: If you can use LINE, you can use it without any problems.
If you have experience using SNS such as LINE or Twitter, you will be able to use this application without any discomfort.
It’s also a tool operated by Facebook, which has over 1.3 billion users worldwide, so the key point is that it’s easy to interact with other people through this app.
The steps to start using it are as follows.
1. Install Facebook Messenger
2. Launch the installed app
3. Select “I have a Facebook account” and proceed
4. Your name will be displayed; tap it.
5. You will be asked to synchronize your phonebook, so tap “Turn on” if you agree.
6. If you want to register your own phone number, enter the number and click “OK”
7. Click “Next” or “OK” to complete registration
You can choose to synchronize your phone book.
By synchronizing, you can automatically search for friends, so we recommend synchronizing if you want to quickly connect with friends.
Other people will also be able to search for your contacts, so if you don’t want your contacts to be known for some reason, it’s best to avoid syncing your phonebook.
9 features of Facebook Messenger
We will introduce nine of the most important features of Facebook Messenger.
exchanging messages
You can exchange messages with users who use Facebook.
The steps are very simple, so you can get started in no time.
Procedure for exchanging messages (iPhone)
1. Tap the pen mark on the top right of the home page
2. Enter or select the name of the person you want to contact
3. Enter what you want to talk about in the text box → Send
The message function has a read function that lets you know that you have read the other person’s message, and when the other person has read the message you sent, the other person’s icon will be displayed next to the message.
It will take some getting used to as it does not directly display “Read”.
group chat
Messenger allows you to send messages not only to individuals but also to groups.
It’s easy to understand if you imagine a LINE group.
By creating a group of people who frequently communicate with each other, you can easily stay in touch at any time.
Instructions (iPhone)
1. Tap the pen mark on the top right of the home page
2. Select the members you want to add to the group
3. Creation completed
The group name and icon can be edited from the group name at the top of the message screen.
stamp function
One of the message functions allows you to send stamps to each other.
There are many different types of stamps available, from unique ones to animated ones.
Stamps can be sent by clicking the smiley face mark in the message input field. (red frame part of image)
Let’s have fun conversations with cute stamps that will brighten up your conversations.
Many stamps are free, and you can go to the stamp store and download them by tapping the + icon from the Niconico mark.
Free calls for up to 50 people & free video calls for up to 6 people
Facebook Messenger allows you to make free calls.
You don’t have to worry about phone charges because the app uses your internet connection to make calls.
You can connect and have fun talking with up to 50 people for free.
You can also have a video call with up to 6 people at the same time, so you can use this function when you want to have a short discussion.
When talking on a video call, you can use effects such as bunny ears to edit yourself in real time and have fun talking.
Since it is possible to make video calls in a format similar to Zoom meetings or Google meet, you can also install it on your computer and enjoy video calls on a large screen.
Call procedure (1 to 1)
1. Open the chat screen of the person you want to talk to.
2. Tap the handset mark at the top of the screen (video mark for a video call)
Steps to make a group call
1. Open the group screen to call
2. Tap the handset or video mark
3. Tap call
When making a call, you will be asked for permission to use the microphone, so please allow it and join the call.
If you make a call without allowing the use of the microphone, your voice may not be heard by the other party.
You can switch to video/voice calls even during a call, so you can switch to whatever you feel like doing.
When making a call, be sure to observe the following precautions.
Points to note when making calls
1. Internet environment is in place (Wi-Fi connection)
2. Is the person currently using the app (online)?
If 1 is not done, the amount of communication will increase if you use a smartphone.
Video calls in particular require considerable communication charges, so be careful.
If condition 2 is not established, you will not be able to talk to the other party, so be sure to check whether the other party is online.
If the other person is online, there will be a green mark on the icon.
When checking the condition, be sure to check whether the mark is present or not.
You can share photos and videos
If you have an image or video that you want to show to your friends or people at work, you can send it using the message function.
You can use this function if you want to take an interesting photo or quickly share meeting materials.
Steps to share photos and videos
1. Open the chat screen of the person you want to send a photo to.
2. Tap the third icon from the left in the message input field
3. Select photos/videos
4. Send
For videos, the maximum size is 25MB, so be careful about the size when sending videos.
If you want to take a photo and send it on the spot, you can jump to the camera from Messages to take and send the photo.
You can share your location information
Messenger allows you to share your current location on a map.
You can share your location in real time, so it’s a very convenient feature to use when meeting up.
If you are meeting while talking on the phone, depending on the surrounding situation, you may not be able to clearly tell the other person where you are.
If you can share location information in real time, you can avoid such worries and avoid misunderstandings.
Steps to share location information
1. Open the chat screen of the person you want to share with.
2. Tap the red frame next to the message field
3. The “location information” icon will appear, tap it.
4. You will be asked if you want to share your location information, so allow it.
5. Tap “Share real-time location information for 60 minutes” at the bottom of the screen
Now you can share your location with others.
You can also send specific meeting location information to the other party by holding the red pin that appears on the location information sharing screen at the meeting place.
voice message
Voice messages are recommended when you are tired of entering text or when you are unable to make calls.
Since you can record your voice and convey it to the other party, it is also useful when communicating your requirements when the other party is unable to make a call.
Even in cases where it would be difficult to keep a written history, recording allows you to have a conversation without being seen.
Steps to send a voice message
1. Open the talk screen
2. Tap the microphone next to the message input field
3. Long press the mark to start recording
4. Release your finger when recording is finished
5. Send to other party
The maximum length of time that you can send a voice message is one minute.
It records while you press and hold it, then sends it when you release your finger, so be careful not to send it by mistake.
If you want to cancel sending while recording, you can do so by sliding your finger sideways.
You can send messages to people other than your friends
Messenger allows you to send messages to users who have not registered their contact information.
If you have friends who have not registered their destinations yet, it is a good idea to use this function.
On the other hand, the “messages from strangers” that you sometimes receive when using this app are due to this feature.
It would be a good idea to open it and see who it is.
Message request procedure
1. Tap “Friends” from the menu icon
2. Tap “Message Request”
3. “Approve” to open, “Do not approve” to delete
Through this step, you can check the message requests that have been sent to you.
Due to the nature of this feature, it is very possible for spam emails to be sent in, so please avoid replying to such emails.
If you use this feature, be sure to clearly state who the message is from so that the other person doesn’t avoid you.
You can check your messages even when the app is not open
Even when you’re in a situation where you can’t let go of your hands, you’re always interested in the conversation.
Messenger, like LINE, allows you to see the conversation content using the notification function even when the app is not open.
This is called the chat head function, and by allowing it, you can check messages sent by other people.
The default setting is ON, so this feature can be used automatically.
Steps to switch chat head functionality
1. Tap your icon in the Messenger app
2. Tap “Notifications & Sounds”
3. Tap “Manage notifications”
4. Switch chat head ON/OFF
Messenger function summary
| function | use |
| message | Communication such as conversation and communication |
| group chat | |
| stamp function | |
| Free calls & video chats | |
| Share photos and videos | Sharing necessary materials and interesting topics |
| Sharing location information | meeting |
| voice message | What to do when sending text messages is a hassle |
| Send messages to non-friends | expand interaction |
| chat head function | You can see the conversation even if you are doing something else |
If you look at the above functions, there is no big difference from LINE that you usually use.
There are features that LINE doesn’t have, such as location information and message requests to people other than friends, but that alone doesn’t make it suitable for business.
Next, I will explain the features of Messenger that are not available on LINE.
Special features not found on LINE
You can delete read items
When using the messaging app, you may accidentally mark something as read.
Especially if the message is from a superior, you should reply as soon as possible after marking it as read.
If you are too busy and don’t have time to reply, reading a message as it has been read can lead to interpersonal problems.
Messenger allows you to delete read messages that you have added, which prevents trouble from developing.
Steps to delete read items
1. Slide right on the talk room you want to mark as unread.
2. Tap the three-line mark
3. Tap “Mark as unread”
This is all you need to do to change a message marked as read to unread.
This feature is very helpful for people who have been troubled by unread posts on LINE.
secret thread
If you want to avoid information leaking outside, you can have a confidential conversation on Messenger.
Features of secret threads
1. Conversations that never leak to the outside world
2. You can communicate using messages that disappear after a certain amount of time.
Messages with this function are encrypted stronger than usual, creating a highly secure conversation environment that will not be recorded even by the operating company.
In terms of business-related communications, such as conversations about accounting documents, use this function to prevent the company’s financial status from being leaked to outside parties.
Steps to use secret thread
1. Tap the new message icon in the top right corner
2. Tap “Secret”
3. Select the person you want to send it to
4. Start chatting
You can choose the frequency of automatic message deletion from 5 seconds to 1 day, so you can use it according to your preferred time.
See if the other person has an app open
Instagram’s online features and mechanics are pretty much the same.
A green mark will be displayed on the icon of the person who is currently using the app, so you can see if the person you want to exchange messages with is currently available for conversation.
It’s a good idea to leave a message if you’re currently offline, or to contact them if you’re online.
Advantages of using LINE and Facebook Messenger together
So far, we have compared LINE and Messenger apps. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is recommended that you install both.
We will explain the benefits of using LINE and Messenger apps differently.
Separate messaging apps for work and personal use
If you only use one messaging app, you will receive a mix of contacts from friends, co-workers, family, etc. without distinguishing between them.
It can be quite a pain to select and reply to high priority messages.
If you separate the message apps between LINE and Messenger into “friends and other close people” and “business use,” you can separate them into “notifications from this app are important messages” and “this one doesn’t need an immediate reply.” You can.
Categorizing and organizing your messages will make time management easier.
Able to have important business-related conversations
This is an advantage of using Messenger together.
Messenger has a secret thread feature, so you can have conversations that you want to prevent information from leaking.
If you’re having a conversation with a friend and they say, “I don’t want anyone else to hear,” you can protect your privacy by suggesting, “Let’s communicate on Messenger.”
summary
Facebook Messenger is an easy-to-use app, along with other popular apps.
If you only use Facebook and leave Messenger alone, I highly recommend giving it a try.