Facebook Messenger tips and tricks

Now that Facebook Messenger is the only way to chat on Facebook, with chat functionality removed from the official Facebook app, we thought it was high time we started sharing some usability tips for Messenger, especially now that we no longer have a choice not to use it.

Facebook Messenger has a few tricks up its sleeve. Now you can too. / © AndroidPIT

Why type when you can talk?

As you probably know, Facebook Messenger recently added free calling functionality, but it can also send short audio clips too, in the same way as we've all been doing with WhatsApp for, like, ever. Simply tap the microphone icon to bring up your record button and make a voice notation. The message will be sent automatically as soon as you're done.

Facebook Messenger lets you make free calls and as well as send short audio clips. / © ANDROIDPIT

Pin your besties to your wall

If there's a crew you talk to all the time, then why not bypass the app launching altogether and pin a group chat shortcut to your home screen? Just go to your Groups tab where you can select an existing group or create a new one and tap the little menu button on the top right of the Group tile. From here simply select ''Create shortcut'' to have a chat group shortcut added to your home screen.

Simply go to your Groups page, hit the menu and create a home screen shortcut. © AndroidPIT

A picture speaks a thousand words

Did you know you can take a photo direct from the keyboard in Messenger? See that little camera icon? Tap that to turn your keyboard space into a mini viewfinder (which you can also expand). You can switch between the front or back mounted cameras and snap a quick pic with the vertical send button rather oddly placed right in the middle of the viewfinder. Tap the little image icon next to the camera to choose from previously taken pics.

You have a mini-viewfinder hiding in your keyboard! / © ANDROIDPIT

Send a massive thumbs up!

If you're feeling a little like Miley Cyrus and have a need for a particularly big thumbs up, then just press and hold the Like button to inflate the size of your thumb. If a simple Like won't do the trick then hit that little emoji button at the end of the text entry field, hit your sticker collection or revert to your device's emoji supported keyboard for a bit more expressive flair.

Location sharing, big thumbs ups and a range of emoji and stickers are all available too. / © ANDROIDPIT

Send up a bat signal...or not

If you want a super easy way to let your friends know where you are Facebook has added a little location icon to the side of the text entry field, right there next to the smiley selector. As long as it is blue your friends will be able to see where you are. Simply hit the overflow menu button at the top right of the screen and tap ''View map'' to bring up your friend's current location. To see where they were when they sent you a message, just tap the message itself. If you don't want to share your location at all, head to your settings and uncheck the Location box.

So much easier than describing the exact corner you're on. / © ANDROIDPIT

Facebook Messenger INSTALL

What other tips for Facebook Messenger do you know?