How to Use Messenger Without Facebook
Why Use Messenger?
Can you have Messenger without Facebook? Yes. But should you?
Messenger can work without Facebook! Even if you have sworn off Facebook or want to quit social media altogether, it doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of Facebook’s Messenger service.
Facebook Messenger is now one of the biggest messaging platforms worldwide. Its main competitor is WhatsApp another service owned and operated by Facebook. One main motivation for using Messenger is that it’s highly likely most of your friends are using it as well.
But Messenger is about more than just chatting with mates. It’s a powerful multi-purpose app.
Want to order an Uber? Use Messenger. Need to make a voice or video call? Use Messenger. Want to play a game against your friends? Use Messenger. In fact, some 8 billion messages are sent between users and businesses on Messenger every single month.
That’s without even touching upon all the different ways it lets you send GIFs, stickers, photos, and images to your friends.
And of course, as with WhatsApp, Messenger works across operating systems. You can stay in touch with friends on Android, even if you use an iPhone.
All of your messages are encrypted too. This means that whatever you send can’t be intercepted by third parties. No one can see your message while it’s in transit between devices. It’s the bare minimum you should expect from an instant messaging service these days.
Why Avoid Facebook?
Facebook remains a social media giant, but its popularity is waning. Why? Some are turning to other means of contact.
Some folk refuse to use Facebook on principle. Others don’t like social platform staples like political debates, pyramid schemes, and pointless status updates.
Some remain troubled by the privacy and security scandals that have plagued Facebook in recent years. You need to keep an eye on your privacy controls if you use the service.
But even if you don’t, Facebook is still tracking you with shadow profiles detailing the activities of those not using the app. Signing up to Messenger isn’t going to make much of a difference, compared to the personal information users with Facebook accounts give up. You might as well think of Facebook and Messenger as two different entities.
How to Download Messenger Without a Facebook Account
If you don’t have Facebook, how can you use Facebook Messenger? Thankfully, the process is much easier than you think.
First, you need to know how to install Messenger, which is simple. Just head to the App Store or Google Play, depending on your smartphone or tablet. Make sure it’s the official app, made by Facebook Inc., or you risk installing malware.
Next, you need to know how to sign up to Messenger. When you open the app for the first time, it will encourage you to log into a Facebook account using either your email address or phone number. Instead, click on Create New Account, underneath which it assures you the app will not create a Facebook profile. Instead, it will create a Messenger login.
You are prompted to enter your phone number, and are then texted a confirmation code. Once you confirm this code, you need to enter your name so that people can find you on the app. Once this is done, you’re ready to begin using Messenger.
Some users should also consider using Messenger Lite. This is designed to save battery by limiting the number of features available. It’s ideal for anyone with an older Android device or those who suffer from frequent connectivity issues.
Setting Up Messenger Without a Facebook Account
After you activate your account, there are still a few settings to finalize in order to take full advantage of the app.
You might want to add a photo of yourself, so that other users can recognize you.
Next, the app asks if you want to add your contacts to Messenger. If you grant the app these permissions, it will continuously access your address book and automatically add them to Messenger.
If you choose not to automate this process, you can still add your contacts one-by-one to your Messenger account. This can be done by searching for their phone number (if they have their phone associated with their Messenger) or entering their name into the “To” field. You may have to search through several profiles before finding the person you’re looking for.
What Happens If You Delete or Deactivate Facebook?
You might already have a Facebook account, but want to delete your Facebook while keeping Messenger. Don’t make this decision lightly. Before you begin the process, you need to know what it means when you deactivate your Facebook account.
In a nutshell, deactivating Facebook still allows you time to think about whether you want to permanently delete your account (as your data is still stored, ready for reactivation).
When you deactivate Facebook, you’ll also be asked if you want to continue using Messenger.
However, if you delete Facebook, your previous messages will read “Facebook User” and no one will be able to respond.
Deactivation means messages will still exist alongside your contacts. Deletion means all your messages will be irretrievably lost from your device (though not on the recipients’ devices), and you’ll need to create a new Messenger account using the above method.
