Facebook’s Messenger app is more than a messaging tool to keep you connected to friends and family. It also has a few hidden fun and functional tools that will both entertain and make staying in touch easier. Here are five hidden tricks.
1. Send a 15 second video
Don’t want to type a message? Record one instead with the in-app video function. Launch the Messenger app on your smartphone and select a messaging thread with a friend. Tap the camera icon at the bottom of the screen and hold down the middle circle for video.
2. Start a chess game
Now you can play chess with your friends in Messenger! All you have to do is type @fbchess play and send it. A chess game will automatically pop up in the chat and you can play together.
3. Make your emoji bigger
Is that a thumbs-up or a high-five? We love using emoji but sometimes they’re so tiny it’s hard to see the image. Show the person you really mean it by making your emoji bigger. In the smartphone app, select the emoji you want to send and hold it down until it starts growing. When it’s the size you want, simply let it go and the emoji will send.
4. See when a message was sent
Want to find out when a friend sent a particular message? Just tap the individual message to see the time and date. This function isn’t available on the web version of the app.
5. Phone a friend
While Messenger was first designed as an instant-messaging platform, it’s now a great tool to make phone and videos calls. Much like Skype, Viber and WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger lets you make phone and videos calls for free over the internet. Just click the little phone or camera icon on the top right inside a chat. Make sure you’re connected to wifi first as this will chew up your data!
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